C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

[Jeffrey D.]

Started the car this morning, it's a '63 coupe, 327/340 and fully restored.
I pulled it out after idling about 10 min's and let it idle in driveway some more.
After a total of 20 min's idling I got in to take for a spin and noticed the smell of
coolant,..looked over to passenger floor and noticed a puddle building on the vinyl
mat!
I pulled the car back into the garage and shut it down.
There's coolant driping from the heater box.

The heater core was replaced about 18 yrs ago when I restored the car and the .
car has way less than 3,500 miles on it since.
All hoses in the engine compartment appear lean and dry.

Does anyone know what is causing this? Is it obviously a bad heater core?

Thanks in advance.
Jeff

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

If the hoses are tight, the only other thing it could be is a heater core leak. Even though you have very few miles on it, the heater core is still 18 yrs. old. Have you been changing the anti-freeze regularly? I'd try some stop leak before I'd tear into it.

[Michael G.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Started the car this morning, it's a '63 coupe, 327/340 and fully restored.
I pulled it out after idling about 10 min's and let it idle in driveway some more.
After a total of 20 min's idling I got in to take for a spin and noticed the smell of
coolant,..looked over to passenger floor and noticed a puddle building on the vinyl
mat!
I pulled the car back into the garage and shut it down.
There's coolant driping from the heater box.

The heater core was replaced about 18 yrs ago when I restored the car and the .
car has way less than 3,500 miles on it since.
All hoses in the engine compartment appear lean and dry.

Does anyone know what is causing this? Is it obviously a bad heater core?

Thanks in advance.
Jeff

Plainly a older heater core.....it's 18 years old. I'm sure your will but do some research to determine what company is making the most reliable replacement core.

[Jeffrey D.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Hi Jim, thanks so much for the quick reply.
I'm thinking the problem is definitely with the heater core itself.
I'd love to think that I can save the time and aggravation by not
pulling the core and using your suggestion of pouring in the stop
leak stuff, but have you ever used this and is it a reliable fix? If
it's more of a temporary solution, I think I'd rather go the route of
actually replacing the core.

Jeff

[Jeffrey D.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jim,
I forgot to tell you that although I did have the coolant and system fully flushed/change-out about 2 yrs ago, I haven't
done it regularly before or since.

Jeff

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jim,
I forgot to tell you that although I did have the coolant and system fully flushed/change-out about 2 yrs ago, I haven't
done it regularly before or since.

Jeff

Old anti-freeze can become acidic and eat up that heater core. That's why the "green stuff" needs to be changed every 2 years or so. As far as stop leak goes, I had a 62 Impala that would fog up the windows whenever the heater was on. Stop leak solved the problem for the next 5 years until I sold the car. It can't hurt to give it a try. The old wives tale of it clogging up the radiator etc. is a bunch of B.S.

[Jim R.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Try some coolant Tablets gm or bars that come in a 6 pack from NAPA crush them up and throw them in the expansion tank they will find there way to the leak its worth a try.

[Jeffrey D.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jim, thanks again for the advise.

Jeff

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jeff, I know it's a great deal of work, but if it were me, I'd replace the heater core. It would make a great winter project.

[John S.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jeff,
I have tried the stop leak solutions for 30 years under a number of different circumstances and it has not worked even once! I think you have already received sound advice and know it is going to require a heater core change. My 2 cents worth.

[Jim R.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Now you all have me scared my core on my 65 is 48 years old and does not leak I guess I better change it.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jeff,
I have tried the stop leak solutions for 30 years under a number of different circumstances and it has not worked even once! I think you have already received sound advice and know it is going to require a heater core change. My 2 cents worth.

If it doesn't work, why has every new car manufacturer put it in their cars for the last 50+ years?

[Monte M.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

There is not really much to decide. f you are going to keep the car, and if you are used to doing thing right, change the heater core.

It is trying to tell you there is a problem. In a year or five when you are out on a run having a bunch of fun, be ready to pull your heater hoses off and clamp them to that piece of pipe you should start carrying in your car.

It is your choice. "Pay me now or pay me later" is the saying.

Best of luck.

[Terry M.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Started the car this morning, it's a '63 coupe, 327/340 and fully restored.
I pulled it out after idling about 10 min's and let it idle in driveway some more.
After a total of 20 min's idling I got in to take for a spin and noticed the smell of
coolant,..looked over to passenger floor and noticed a puddle building on the vinyl
mat!
I pulled the car back into the garage and shut it down.
There's coolant driping from the heater box.

The heater core was replaced about 18 yrs ago when I restored the car and the .
car has way less than 3,500 miles on it since.
All hoses in the engine compartment appear lean and dry.

Does anyone know what is causing this? Is it obviously a bad heater core?

Thanks in advance.
Jeff

Whatever you decide with the heater core, you have to take some immediate action.

Remove the leaked coolant then take up the passenger side carpet and underlayment. Wash out the remaining coolant from the floor and thoroughly wash and dry the carpet and underlayment. If the coolant is left in the carpet and underlayment it will eventually deteriorate the fiberglass on the passenger side foot well.

[Paul J.]

Re: C2 Coolant leak INTO car!

Jeff, I have a handy little fitting that fits a 3/4" hose on one end and a 5/8" hose on the other. This allows you to take the heater core out of the system and still drive the car. It's good for temporary use but it only delays the inevitable. You can use the stop leak methods previously mentioned and they should work, but you will eventually have to replace the core.

Paul