Yet another car trouble

[skiri251]

This time it is 2000 Saturn LW1 4cyl wagon.

Leaking coolant somewhere in passenger foot area.
I just called the trusty radiator shop who did Jeep but he says he won't do interior.

How easy/difficult is it for DIY?
I looked at Chilton manual and I guess it's going to be either heater core or plumbing to/from it, am I correct?

 

[Omega Man]

Yes, sounds about right. I hate doing anything on the inside of cars. :nea:

~O~

 

[skiri251]

Watched YouTube video.
Looks easy enough..
Now I need to figure out if it is the core or plumbing.
Any good way to do it?

 

[kerryb]

I suggest flashlights, dental mirrors, a cushion on the floor for your head, and a helper to get your feet untangled from the headrest when you're finished.

 

[dan filipi]

Heater cores are the worst. Good luck skiri.

 

[slabghost]

Heater core in my truck was super easy .Push it up in the box put the tubes through the holes in the fire wall and install hoses and clamps. I hope yours is designed as easy. Look under the hood and see if you can see the ends of the heater hoses. If you can you should be able to see the leak if it's a hose or connection. If the leak isn't the end of the hose it most likely is the heater core. On a mustang I had it blew coolant onto the inside of the windshield. That was a mess to clean up.

 

[Steve83]

The easiest heater core I ever replaced was on an '88 Bronco II...Rangers are the same. Not sure about Saturn.

In most cases, the core inlet and outlet pipes go through the firewall, and attach to the rubber heater hoses in the engine compartment. Any coolant leaking into the interior will come from the heater core.

I did one on an '87 Olds Calais, and I removed the passenger seat so I could lay on the floor. It was a P.I.T.A.!

 

[skiri251]

Thanks all!

YouTube video for my model looks really easy.
Remove the mount bolt, disconnect the plumbing, and just pull out!

But I should be ready to minimize down-time. She is a very important daily driver. LOL
That means I need to know if it is a core and if so get hold of one in advance. Around $50 online.

 

[slabghost]

Check local parts stores. Mine was surprisingly cheap and shockingly on hand.

 

[skiri251]

slabghost » Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:13 pm[/url]":vxs817em]
Check local parts stores. Mine was surprisingly cheap and shockingly on hand.

Do you mean places like Autozone and O'reilly?

 

[slabghost]

Yes I found mine at AutoZone.

 

[AApple]

Make sure the new core comes with new o-rings for the tubes....it's usually the o-rings leaking to begin with, but it can also be a leaky core.

satheat

• AApple
• Dec 12, 2016

:builder:

 

[zman]

Just to be sure you should make certain it is coolant, if your using the air conditioner and the evaporator water isn't draining it can leak inside, even if it is a core leaking you should check your drain tube, usually a spider gets inside and builds a nest, or maybe gets pinched by floor mats or just breaks apart and no longer goes through the floor and out to the bottom of the car.

 

[skiri251]

AApple » Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:22 pm[/url]":25dqncwi]
Make sure the new core comes with new o-rings for the tubes....it's usually the o-rings leaking to begin with, but it can also be a leaky core.

satheat

• AApple
• Dec 12, 2016

:builder:

I guess I should replace the core any way even if it's o-ring?
Or pressure test the core and if it's okay, re-use?

 

[skiri251]

zman » Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:24 pm[/url]":1zf8hyab]
Just to be sure you should make certain it is coolant, if your using the air conditioner and the evaporator water isn't draining it can leak inside, even if it is a core leaking you should check your drain tube, usually a spider gets inside and builds a nest, or maybe gets pinched by floor mats or just breaks apart and no longer goes through the floor and out to the bottom of the car.

I see. Good to know. I will check it (don't know where but I will find out.)

But this case, I think it's coolant. The reservoir level has been going down slowly for a few years. Requiring top-off once in several months. And I smelled that distinctive coolant smell.

Speaking of slow leakage, power-steering fluid does that too. I just keep topping off from time to time.

 

[slabghost]

Could be one of the power steering pump lines.

 

[skiri251]

slabghost » Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:24 pm[/url]":214uvglq]
Could be one of the power steering pump lines.

Thanks.
I should stop being lazy and take a look... :hihihi:

 

[UTgl1000]

I had a 2001 Saturn and had the same issue but mine was leaking from the firewall side, the return hose fitting was leaking and coming in trough the firewall, Check here for leaks

 

[UTgl1000]

UTgl1000 » less than a minute ago[/url]":wda8wn3t]
I had a 2001 Saturn and had the same issue but mine was leaking from the firewall side, the return hose fitting was leaking and coming in trough the firewall, Check here for leaks

 

[skiri251]

Thanks for the info!

I idled the engine and turned on the heater for a minute or so today but couldn't find any leakage.
The floor was damp so there must have been a leak at certain point..

Does the engine need to rev in order for leak to occur?

I wiped the area clean so I will check it again after my wife drives it.