Anti freeze leak on carpet. Advice please.

[don42616]

2 days ago I noticed anti freeze on rubber mat & carpet R/S. Probable 1 oz.
I pulled the carpet back & fiberglass was not wet. Since then I put a plastic sheet & drove it 2 days around 100 miles. Not a drop. I should add before leak I topped radiator off. I filled it up. ( I was not watching) I thought any excess would drain out overflow. I couldn't feel any moisture on heater. I am not sure where core would leak. If it is leaking what part would have to be replaced? Big Job? (for Mechanical challenged)!!! Is tank reproed? Thanks for your advice. Don

[Joe L.]

Re: Anti freeze leak on carpet. Advice please.

Don-----

You VERY likely need a new heater core. The coolant-on-the-passenger-side-floormat is the usual manifestation of such a condition. Most of the 63-82 heater cores are still available from GM and Delco. The exception is 63-67 with C-60. Those are available in reproduction.

Replacing the heater core is a fairly involved and time consuming job.

[Mark W.]

Re: Anti freeze leak on carpet. Advice please.

Don, it is fairly time consuming, but not overly difficult if you take your time. I replaced mine on my '66 earlier this and someone sent me detailed step-by-step instructions, which helped tremendously. I have since sent them to several people. If you'd like them, let me know and I'll e-mail them to you.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Anti freeze leak on carpet. Advice please.

Don,
If you need a heater core (and it sounds like you do) you may want to check the one that is available from AutoZone. I got one there for my '65 project for a measly $33.99, plus tax.

I usually buy "better" parts for the car, but I can't be sure that paying twice the price would produce a heater core that was any better. The high dollar ones are probably made in China or Mexico, also. The AutoZone core (part #015778) comes from Mexico; it has a lifetime warranty.

If you haven't rebuilt your heater box recently, you're probably in for a lot of restoration work along with the heater core replacement. As Mark said, it's not all that difficult, but it is no piece of cake either. At least it wasn't for me.

Good luck with your project.

Regards,
Gene

[Terry F.]

Re: Anti freeze leak on carpet. Advice please.

Depending on the car, you may want to rebuild your original heater core. If original, it will be dated on the end of the core. I took mine to my friendly radiator shop and they recored it. At the time, they had some original cores to put into it (I think they were AC Delco). They were also able to pressure test it for me. I strongly recomend you pressure test it since it is a hassel to do over again. It was a more expensive route but I have my original core and I trust it. Be very careful getting the hoses off the heater core. They are fragile and if the hoses are stuck on there good you will be better off just cutting the hoses at the core or replacing the hoses at the same time. Some people like to rebuild the heater box at the same time. Not a difficult job but time consuming if you don't have a glass bead cabinet. Just my humble opinion. Terry

[don42616]

Gene , Terry . thanks, good help. *NM*