Yet another car trouble

[Ansimp]

Most new cars are dash out for heater core replacement. :head bang:

 

[skiri251]

Found the leak location!

I poured some coolant this morning when the engine was stone cold.
It's from the lower line o-rings.
I guess it tends to leak when it's cold (rubber lost the elasticity with age like that ill-fated SpaceShuttle booster..)

Probably no need to change the core although it looks super easy.
Just remove one screw and pull straight out.

Now I hope the o-rings and clamps are still available. :beg:

 

[Ansimp]

:good:

 

[skiri251]

Went to local O'reilly.
O-rings and clamps only come with the core assembly which costs $70 and not in stock.
Didn't try AutoZone but I guess it is similar story..

I have assortment o-rings from Harbor Freight. Maybe try them and see if they work.
It appears the OEM o-rings in the part diagram have square cross section. HF o-rings don't.
Does it matter?
Worst case, maybe I will resort to RTV silicone. LOL

 

[skiri251]

Searched eBay.
O-ring for L300 (won't fit LW1) costs $20~$30 a piece!
Hmmmm..

 

[joedrum]

yep got to love this system of rip off

 

[skiri251]

Unbelievable...

I found Saturn forum. It seems #15 o-rings will work. That's like a few dollars for a pack of 10.
But I will try trusty HF o-rings first. LOL

 

[slabghost]

Best of luck.

 

[Ansimp]

Sometimes what I think are a flat oring are actually only flat due to age and compression. :yes:

 

[skiri251]

Ansimp » Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:32 pm[/url]":1vtbv1do]
Sometimes what I think are a flat oring are actually only flat due to age and compression. :yes:

Just experienced that while dealing with BS200 tranny. I put in round o-rings and they came out as flat.

The part diagram AApple posted for me shows two kinds of o-rings. The outside ones look square to me but it is just a diagram.
The Saturn forum people only replaced inside o-rings. I saw the photo and they are regular round section o-rings.

 

[Ansimp]

:good:

 

[zman]

Is that the decool orange coolant? they call that stuff dexkill in the automotive world because if air gets into the system it turns to sludge and clogs the passages of the engine and heater.
If so you would want to drain and flush the system and put the green stuff in. least thats what I would do. Check out the engine tear downs on you tube using dexcool or kill in the search.

 

[skiri251]

zman » Thu Dec 15, 2016 7:01 am[/url]":ikvidwr8]
Is that the decool orange coolant? they call that stuff dexkill in the automotive world because if air gets into the system it turns to sludge and clogs the passages of the engine and heater.
If so you would want to drain and flush the system and put the green stuff in. least thats what I would do. Check out the engine tear downs on you tube using dexcool or kill in the search.

Yes it is.
Really?!

I was going to flush the radiator so no problem but that orange stuff has been there for the life of the car.
How come GM still recommends stuff like that?

What should I buy for the Green stuff?
Will "good for all manufacturers" coolant like Peak(?) be okay?

 

[mcgovern61]

I also used the Dexcool in our Hyundai Elantra and it seriously clogged the heater core and other passages. Took a chemical flush to clear it out (over a two week period) and finally restored the heater core to service. :cheeky:

 

[UTgl1000]

GM Dexcool, been using it in my GM products since it came out and never had an issue like that. I have it my '01 2500HD 8.1L, my wifes '05 1500 Z71 5.3L It is a Vortec thing you know.

 

[skiri251]

Hope this won't become oil thread...

For me, if I can use the same coolant for both Saturn and Ford, that's convenient.
I guess Ford don't recommend Dexcool.

Maybe I should use Peak in both. If their claim of "regardless of make, model, year or original antifreeze color" is true.

 

[slabghost]

Use what you like. I use Peak in everything. Never had a problem with it. It's everywhere and it's as low priced as any.

 

[UTgl1000]

UTgl1000 » Today, 5:38 pm[/url]":2qsx31rg]
GM Dexcool, been using it in my GM products since it came out and never had an issue like that. I have it my '01 2500HD 8.1L, my wifes '05 1500 Z71 5.3L It is a Vortec thing you know.

My GM mechanic friend who works at a local Dealership said that when you mix Dexcool with green coolant (not universal) it will cause sludge and clogging, I haven't experienced this because both my Chevy's have run Dexcool since brand new.

That's all
Please don't confuse my 2 cent's with any negativity towards any other coolant.

 

[zman]

[video]https://youtu.be/PbX4CuE8auY[/video]

 

[skiri251]

I don't see that stuff in my reservoir so it's okay (at least for now).
So it's more like particular engines than coolant?
"Air in the system" won't occur under normal circumstances..