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whats wrong with my heater core?


glenn123

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Hi ive got an 89 ranger and did a 4.0l swap about 6 months ago. And everything has been going good, till about last week. I started to smell antifreeze out of my air vents from time to time. Didn't think much of it since it would come and go. But then I saw a drip on the floor board. And thought oh well I need a heater core. So I planned to do that within the next few days after I saw the drip. Well on my way home from work Friday, antifreeze steam, smoke whatever it is started pouring thru my air vents. Like bad!

So I replaced my heater core yesterday thinking I got it all fixed up. Drove it around for about 15min everything was great. Till I get in this morning and go to the store. leaving the store I noticed antifreeze in my floor board again and it was also coming thru the vents again. And all over the ground.

I NEED my truck for work in the morning. Does anyone have any ideas what my problem is?

Also my heater core resistor and blower motor was all replaced about 3 years ago. Thanks, Glenn
 


Spott

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If it's not the heater core itself, it's almost certainly the heater hoses or the connections between the hoses and the core. Those are the only places where coolant would get into the cab.
 

glenn123

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I thought about it being my hoses. But everything looks fine. I replaced my hoses when I did the motor swap about 6months ago.
 

adsm08

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I can think of three things right now.

1) There is still residual coolant in the duct work.

2) You got a faulty heater core, a bad solder joint or something.

3) The new one is damaged, either during shipping or installation.
 

Grey_04

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I'd have to agree with adsm08. I would start by rechecking the plastic box the heater core sits in for left over coolant and work from there.
 

glenn123

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I can think of three things right now.

1) There is still residual coolant in the duct work.

2) You got a faulty heater core, a bad solder joint or something.

3) The new one is damaged, either during shipping or installation.





Yeah I was thinking the same thing. About the residual coolant. but when it dripped on the floor today and didn't yesterday makes me think I just got a damaged core. or I damaged it installing it. Anyways I replaced the hose clamps on the heater core hoses, since they where the oem ones. Just to rule out that it could be a bad seal on the hose connection.

I also let it idle with heat on and blowing, for around 20min. And didn't get any steam or drips yet so I guess im going to see what happens from here. if it starts doing it again tomorrow, ill replace the heater core again.
 

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