Does my 1997 XK8 have a bad heater core??

I got the car started, added coolant/antifreeze and coolant started coming out of what looks like a drain hose on the firewall. Is it going to be tough to change out? I saw that I could possibly have to take out the steering column. Anyone know what it would cost at the dealer?

Thanks, Bruce

 

Heater "core" , I meant to say

 

definately heater core. if it is just the hose leaking it's not a hard fix. however if the core itself is cracked and leaking, sadly they are NOT fun. buried deep in the dash. DIY it's not overly expensive, just time consuming. Good Luck

 

If it was the heater core, the coolant would most likely be leaking out inside the car.

As it's at the firewall, it will probably be one of the two awkward hoses (items 1 and 2) under the manifold.



A lot of dismantling involved to access them so definitely worth replacing BOTH.

Graham

 

No water whatsoever on the engine or trailing down either pipe. Definately "All" the coolant coming from the grommet on the firewall. Took out the glovebox to get a birdseye view of where the rubber grommet came from and it was the end of of a hose connected to an aluminum pipe. The grommet was ribbed to make the turn where it attatched to the firewall.

I imagine they put the hose at the firewall to prevent the carpet from getting drenched "IF" the heater core failed???? A basin "if you will" to catch the coolant and direct it out of that basin with the tube on the firewall?

 

Yo Mike....I'm in Maine also! Harpswell to be exact. Bring your tools, I'll get the beer LOL
Bruce

 

Bruce,

It could take a very large quantity of beer to tempt Mike to volunteer for this particular repair.

Graham

 

Yes....could be quite the project.
Is there a picture somewhere to verify that there IS a drain in the event of a heater core failure with leakage?

 

Hi Graham- Removed everything according to repair manual (not to hard just a little time consuming) But.....I just can't seem to pull the core out. Must be stuck from age. Going to try again when i get some more time. Calling it for the night- Patriots playing the Colts. Bruce

P.S. I ordered another core today/ maybe it will reveal some other type of mechanism that secures it to the heat/cool box

 

Got the core out, had t remove some clips, the servo, and 1 screw from a module that was holding the housing closed (passenger side, removal of glovebox and glovebox housing)

Yup, It had a hole in it

 

well I'll be. I grew up in Brunswick. and actually I had knee surgery Thursday and still recovering. but turning wrenches is always a good time, not sure how good I'd be on the other side of sober though

 

haha (to the other side of sober) Just waiting on the core to button her back up. I'm going to post some pics up for others on the forum if they ever have the same problem. I've been documenting the process, Hard to believe they put so much in the way but i guess heater core replacement is not a typical fix.

Take care of that knee