Three small drops of coolant on cab floor

Jesper · 10-23-2009, 04:37 PM

Early today (12-13 hours ago) my wife pointed out that there was three very small drops of coolant on the passenger side floor. She traced it to the floor vent on here side.
Not before or after this happend have I seen it again. I have felt inside the vent between rides many times today and there is NO more coolant inside.
I was thinking condensed water, but the fluide was blue. I use blue coolant.
Could this be the beginning of a bigger leak, could it still be condensation?
And the coolant must be comming from the heater core, right?

90blueS10 · 10-23-2009, 04:39 PM

heater core is going out.

Goran · 10-23-2009, 05:38 PM

that is my worst nightmare...

i pray to god i never have to change the heater core... KNOCK ON WOOD

BlkBlzr01 · 10-23-2009, 05:42 PM

its your heater core. better go ahead and get on it before you really have a mess.

it's a PITA, but its not the worst job either.

Jesper · 10-23-2009, 05:47 PM

Had a look at the dashboard removal walkthrough, didn't seem that bad. 30 min. out 20 min. to put it back together + the removal and install of the new heater core.

STXS10 · 10-24-2009, 05:41 PM

I just bypassed it on mine

slonlow2000 · 10-25-2009, 03:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jesper

Had a look at the dashboard removal walkthrough, didn't seem that bad. 30 min. out 20 min. to put it back together + the removal and install of the new heater core.

That guy had prolly done it once or twice

bigb19812000 · 10-25-2009, 12:02 PM

The first time I did mine it took me six hours

Jesper · 10-25-2009, 01:45 PM

Did you use the Write up as a reference point to where the bolt/srews are located? I do not feel like a six hour job right now!

andysutt · 10-25-2009, 02:00 PM

The heater core has been out in our 2000 Jimmy for the past 3 winters.

It's bypassed as we are told its a PITA and I havent really messed with it. We have other vehicles to drive besides that in the winter so it wasnta big deal.

I do know that I just replaced one on my 94 Suburban and the book was COMPLETELY wrong on how to replace it. It said remove the computer, the glovebox door and actual compartment and stuff.

Instead, you dropped 6 screws on the bottom of the dash that was a cover that held the heater core in, then one screw that held the bracket for the heater core up. It was a 20 minute job literally. Thats out and back in.

I just dont think the 2nd gen S-10s are going to be as easy

b1lk1 · 10-25-2009, 03:39 PM

This is a brutal job that takes atleast 4+ hours. I've done a handful and my best time so far was just under four and a half hours of non-sdtop work with no breaks at all.

Jesper · 10-25-2009, 07:01 PM

13 screws, connectors, heater core out, heater core in. and back together?

Driven it to short trips today, there has not been any more leaks!
Hoping that it hold throughout the winter!

It's not worse than a LIM gasket job? Did that two weeks ago and thought it was OK.
See many people don't like that either!

b1lk1 · 10-25-2009, 08:34 PM

13 screws? Way more than that.

Just do NOT put stop leak in. That crap will ruin everything it touches.

Jesper · 10-25-2009, 10:34 PM

Sorry my bad! If you take a look at post #4 in this thread : http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f26/94...rocess-286068/

It says this :
"and thats NOT including ANY of the screws or 7mm torx bolts and the bigger torx bolts on the lower panel to remove the lower panels, so i dont know how well your dash is together but mine has all the screws. so therefore theres many more than 9."

But the lower panels are easy. Had them of some days ago when I wired my CB radio and emergency lights.

andysutt · 10-26-2009, 08:46 AM

I'd replace it if you think it even could be leaking.

Nows the time to do it while its not buttass cold outside.

Jesper · 10-26-2009, 05:42 PM

Two loooong trips today. No dripping from the air vents.
Ordered a new heater core from RockAuto and hoping the old one holds up till I get it. One week from USA to Norway.

b1lk1 · 10-26-2009, 06:13 PM

Good idea. My heatercore was an on/off leak that finally crapped out in late November.

dreamsteve · 10-30-2009, 11:06 AM

You may have an easier time than me.

The 2000 blazer LT I have was a PITA though I had to learn alot of stuff on the fly regarding screw/bolt locations.

If I had to do it again I might be able to squeeze it at around 5-6 Hours.

4.3_ftw · 11-11-2009, 07:01 PM

just bypassit took me 5 mins

JohnBacon · 11-11-2009, 11:06 PM

I have been told that by several mechanics that replacing the heater core on my 2005 Jimmy is an all day job. The six hour estimate sounds more reasonable than the 20-30 minute one.

By the way, I have steam coming out of the vents in my Jimmy. Is there anything other than a bad heater core that can cause this?

eatinpavement · 11-12-2009, 12:33 AM

nope thats just another symptom of the bad heater core. if you use your defroster itll prolly fog the window up even worse and leave a film on it.

andysutt · 11-12-2009, 08:05 AM

Steam = leaky heater core

10-23-2009, 04:37 PM	#1
Jesper Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118 Location: User is: OffLine	Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Early today (12-13 hours ago) my wife pointed out that there was three very small drops of coolant on the passenger side floor. She traced it to the floor vent on here side. Not before or after this happend have I seen it again. I have felt inside the vent between rides many times today and there is NO more coolant inside. I was thinking condensed water, but the fluide was blue. I use blue coolant. Could this be the beginning of a bigger leak, could it still be condensation? And the coolant must be comming from the heater core, right?
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2009, 04:39 PM	#2
90blueS10 Calico 1st Gen Age: 17 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,853 Location: Ottawa, Kansas User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor heater core is going out.
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10-23-2009, 05:38 PM	#3
Goran Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 191 Location: Ontario User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor that is my worst nightmare... i pray to god i never have to change the heater core... KNOCK ON WOOD
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10-23-2009, 05:42 PM	#4
BlkBlzr01 i ain't your pal dickface Age: 23 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,802 Location: 34.69N,-77.98W (Elev. 42ft) User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor its your heater core. better go ahead and get on it before you really have a mess. it's a PITA, but its not the worst job either.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2009, 05:47 PM	#5
Jesper Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Had a look at the dashboard removal walkthrough, didn't seem that bad. 30 min. out 20 min. to put it back together + the removal and install of the new heater core.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2009, 05:41 PM	#6
STXS10 FuelJunkie.com Age: 26 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 682 Location: San Antonio, Texas User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor I just bypassed it on mine
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10-25-2009, 03:30 AM	#7
slonlow2000 Stock Height Age: 21 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,414 Location: Ironton, Mo User is: Online	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Quote: Originally Posted by Jesper Had a look at the dashboard removal walkthrough, didn't seem that bad. 30 min. out 20 min. to put it back together + the removal and install of the new heater core. That guy had prolly done it once or twice
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 12:02 PM	#8
bigb19812000 Registered User Age: 28 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 97 Location: Zephyrhills User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor The first time I did mine it took me six hours
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10-25-2009, 01:45 PM	#9
Jesper Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Did you use the Write up as a reference point to where the bolt/srews are located? I do not feel like a six hour job right now!
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 02:00 PM	#10
andysutt Lifts are for 4wds! Age: 26 Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,540 Location: Conway Arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor The heater core has been out in our 2000 Jimmy for the past 3 winters. It's bypassed as we are told its a PITA and I havent really messed with it. We have other vehicles to drive besides that in the winter so it wasnta big deal. I do know that I just replaced one on my 94 Suburban and the book was COMPLETELY wrong on how to replace it. It said remove the computer, the glovebox door and actual compartment and stuff. Instead, you dropped 6 screws on the bottom of the dash that was a cover that held the heater core in, then one screw that held the bracket for the heater core up. It was a 20 minute job literally. Thats out and back in. I just dont think the 2nd gen S-10s are going to be as easy
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 03:39 PM	#11
b1lk1 Dain Bramaged Age: 41 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 47 Location: Ontario, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor This is a brutal job that takes atleast 4+ hours. I've done a handful and my best time so far was just under four and a half hours of non-sdtop work with no breaks at all.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 07:01 PM	#12
Jesper Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor 13 screws, connectors, heater core out, heater core in. and back together? Driven it to short trips today, there has not been any more leaks! Hoping that it hold throughout the winter! It's not worse than a LIM gasket job? Did that two weeks ago and thought it was OK. See many people don't like that either! Last edited by Jesper : 10-25-2009 at 07:03 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 08:34 PM	#13
b1lk1 Dain Bramaged Age: 41 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 47 Location: Ontario, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor 13 screws? Way more than that. Just do NOT put stop leak in. That crap will ruin everything it touches.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 10:34 PM	#14
Jesper Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Sorry my bad! If you take a look at post #4 in this thread : http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f26/94...rocess-286068/ It says this : "and thats NOT including ANY of the screws or 7mm torx bolts and the bigger torx bolts on the lower panel to remove the lower panels, so i dont know how well your dash is together but mine has all the screws. so therefore theres many more than 9." But the lower panels are easy. Had them of some days ago when I wired my CB radio and emergency lights.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-26-2009, 08:46 AM	#15
andysutt Lifts are for 4wds! Age: 26 Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,540 Location: Conway Arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor I'd replace it if you think it even could be leaking. Nows the time to do it while its not buttass cold outside.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-26-2009, 05:42 PM	#16
Jesper Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Two loooong trips today. No dripping from the air vents. Ordered a new heater core from RockAuto and hoping the old one holds up till I get it. One week from USA to Norway.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-26-2009, 06:13 PM	#17
b1lk1 Dain Bramaged Age: 41 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 47 Location: Ontario, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Good idea. My heatercore was an on/off leak that finally crapped out in late November.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-30-2009, 11:06 AM	#18
dreamsteve Registered User Age: 26 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 Location: Houma, LA User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor You may have an easier time than me. The 2000 blazer LT I have was a PITA though I had to learn alot of stuff on the fly regarding screw/bolt locations. If I had to do it again I might be able to squeeze it at around 5-6 Hours.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-11-2009, 07:01 PM	#19
4.3_ftw FOR THE F****N WIN Age: 21 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 21 Location: Gilroy, CA User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor just bypassit took me 5 mins
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11-11-2009, 11:06 PM	#20
JohnBacon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor I have been told that by several mechanics that replacing the heater core on my 2005 Jimmy is an all day job. The six hour estimate sounds more reasonable than the 20-30 minute one. By the way, I have steam coming out of the vents in my Jimmy. Is there anything other than a bad heater core that can cause this?
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-12-2009, 12:33 AM	#21
eatinpavement Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 100 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor nope thats just another symptom of the bad heater core. if you use your defroster itll prolly fog the window up even worse and leave a film on it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-12-2009, 08:05 AM	#22
andysutt Lifts are for 4wds! Age: 26 Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,540 Location: Conway Arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: Three small drops of coolant on cab floor Steam = leaky heater core
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