HELP! My car is pissing antifreeze!

6r8ph1X · Post by **6r8ph1X** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:54 pm

Crap! I finally got to drive my 1996 Base with a 3.1 v6 some today and I went on the highway. It did do the hole 70 decelerate thingy and the service engine light came on. I think I figured that out so far but plz remind me of what to do with that. BUT, Then after I got home, I noticed a puddle forming under my car. I looked and it was literally pouring out of the bottom. The antifreeze was coming off of a silver pipe on the passenger side. I immediately looked into my engine compartment and was looking for the prob. I looked on the pass side and there is a space inbetween the alternator and the fire wall. There was a rubber hose with a copperish fitting on it and it also had what looked like a aluminum stub out of the fire wall too. That is where I saw a constant stream of antifreeze coming out. Any one know what that is and or how I can fix it? ( I know i need a new pipe or need to screw on something tighter, but any other input would be helpful) Thanks!

Post by **Cliff8928** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:04 am

from the description, i'm guessing a heater core.

rweatherford · Post by **rweatherford** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:38 am

Yep. Sounds like your heater core has sprung a leak inside the car and is coming out the air conditioner drain.

6r8ph1X · Post by **6r8ph1X** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:35 pm

Ok, thanks guys, that kinda makes sense cause the heater core just got replaced and may not have been connected compleatly. My buddy who sold me the beretta is commin to help me wednesday. I'll keep ya posted on what happens (Random thought, Maby the "water" inside my car is antifreeze, not rain ':/ , my friend said he never had leak probs before. hmmmmm)

94beretta · Post by **94beretta** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:00 pm

you could definatly tell a difference between the smell of rain(water) and antifreeze,if inside the car smells sweet than it is antifreeze

6r8ph1X · Post by **6r8ph1X** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:36 pm

Ok, found it, yes it is the heater core. I need to replace it and soon. Are there any wright ups on how to replace them in my 1996 base? Any help would be greatly apreciated.

Jeff P · Post by **Jeff P** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 4:44 am

Here's an old write-up I did for the early models. Your 96 should be pretty much the same, except you have an extra vent assembly for the rear floor vents to be removed first. Note that draining the coolant isn't necessary if you just clamp the hoses shut temporarily.

1. Disconnect negative terminal of battery.

2. Drain coolant (I recommend blowing through one of the hoses to clear excess coolant from the system as there's still a lot in the heater core and the block, etc).

3. Get under the car and find 2 rubber hoses that lead into the center of the firewall; disconnect these (2 metal hose clamps).

4. Remove the little drain tube near the 2 A/C lines in that area.

5. Get in car and remove the under-dash hush panels and steering column trim cover; 2 screws for the cover, 5 screws and 1 courtesy light for each hush panel (Also HIGHLY recommend removing both front seats--your back will thank you!)

6. Remove 2 screws from the bottom of the lower plastic cover (that has the little vents in it for air from the heater) and pop off 2 clips that hold the cover from behind the radio; remove cover. Note: You do not need to remove the big plastic housing that everything is encased in.

7. Remove all visible screws holding the next cover on, including the 2 hidden in indentations in the cover, 1 being right next to the firewall.

8. Pull down on the cover until it comes loose, then pull toward you. Be careful--you know that little drain tube you removed in step 4? It connects to a plastic tube from this cover--you don't want to break it.

9. Remove the clamps from the heater core and remove it, being careful to tip it backward so coolant doesn't get on your carpet.

10. Of course, installation is the reverse of removal.

6r8ph1X · Post by **6r8ph1X** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:30 pm

ok, thanks alot Jeff. On step 8, when i pull down on the cover to the heater core, the heater core comes with it and I can't get it out. Yes I took out the two hidden screws also. What did i do wrong? also, what size are the copperish connectors to the heater core hoses so I can remove those. I can't judge the size and It's hard to get a wrench up in there. Thanks!

6r8ph1X · Post by **6r8ph1X** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:15 pm

Ok, I found the inlet/outlets of the heater core on the back side of the fire wall. Good thing too cause I almost was gona disconnect the ac . Now why is my heater core commin out when I'm tryin to get the cover off? Is this normal? again Plz help. Thanks

Jeff P · Post by **Jeff P** » Wed May 02, 2007 5:02 am

Sorry for the delay in replying! The heater core is supposed to be held up by two metal straps (2 screws each), so it is possible your heater core has been replaced before and they didn't put the straps back, or maybe GM just changed the setup sometime after 1992 (latest car I've done this on). A couple more things that could cause problems: 1.) The lower cover you're pulling off has a tab that usually gets caught behind the edge of the carpet so no matter how hard you pull it's not coming out (unless it breaks); 2.) There is a foam gasket between the lower cover and the firewall and it tends to get stuck to the cover, the firewall, and sometimes the heater core lines. Hope that helps somewhat

6r8ph1X · Post by **6r8ph1X** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:32 pm

HEY!!!! thanks man, I just read your post. I wound up pushin and pullin and it finally came out. I went and got a new one and I put it in. Just gatta put the glove box back in. (got dark) Then I am gona flush the hole system andput in new antifreeze. After that, i got new oil and filters to put in and I should be good to go! Any other suggestions? and where should I place my prestone flush and fill kit? kinda confused on that one. Thanks!!!

Jeff P · Post by **Jeff P** » Fri May 04, 2007 5:05 am

Alright, glad you got it! I don't know if there is room, but you could put the flushing tee in the hose next to the bleeder valve on the passenger side front of the engine. The hose runs from the bleeder, makes a bend, then runs under the plenum. That's the area mine is in on my '88, at least. Best guess

Connect with your social network account