Heater Core leak

[kayrah]

Hey folks. I'm Kayla, and hopefully someone can help me out.
So I've got a major problem with the heater core on my '96 SL1. It's leaking coolant into the floorboard of my car. I've had to top off my coolant twice in the last two days, so I'd say it's a pretty substantial leak.
I know I can just replace the core, but I'm a broke college kid. Can anyone tell me how to bypass the heater core until I can get afford a permenant fix?

Thanks.

[OldNuc]

look on the fire wall under the hood. See the 3/4" hose that connects from the intake manifold to the firewall? Now notice the hose that is connected to the pipe that runs over to the reservoir. Both of these hoses connect to the heater core. Remove them from the heater core nipples and connect them together. This will bypass the heater core.

[alordofchaos]

Here's an illustration (may have snagged it from OldNuc back when the pics were working )

the hoses that go into the heater core are where you want to bypass it (#5 in the pic)

[madpogue]

The hitch is, those two hose ends are both female. So you'll need a short stretch of pipe, or a little double-ended barbed fitting, or the like, to join them. Another thing that _might_ work (I've done it on other vehicles, but not the Saturn) is to remove that intake manifold hose at the manifold end, and connect the remaining hose to the fitting on the manifold. Just don't lose that hose while you're saving up for the new core!

Good thing this happened now, and not last Nov/Dec.

[OldNuc]

Originally Posted by madpogue

The hitch is, those two hose ends are both female. So you'll need a short stretch of pipe, or a little double-ended barbed fitting, or the like, to join them. Another thing that _might_ work (I've done it on other vehicles, but not the Saturn) is to remove that intake manifold hose at the manifold end, and connect the remaining hose to the fitting on the manifold. Just don't lose that hose while you're saving up for the new core!

Good thing this happened now, and not last Nov/Dec.

The hose on the pipe is not long enough. You do not want to bend that pipe! A plastic fitting will not work either as the water is too hot and it will fail. A piece of aluminum tube would be best but almost anything will work short term.

[madpogue]

^^^^ I suppose she could hacksaw off a length of one of the pipes on the decommissioned heater core, once it's out of the car, and use that to join them. Probably should use two clamps on the hacked end, since there's no flare, eh?

[hholbein]

Sorry to hear about your coolant leak. A replacement heater core from RockAuto.com will set you back about $50. I'd go for the Delphi brand on their website vs. the Spectra, given their mixed (charitable) reputation on radiators.

Here's an easy-to-follow guide to replacing the heater core, with pics. (Thank you, Shawn V!!!)

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...ferrerid=49827

Bypassing the heater core is a good idea until you're ready to undertake the repair, but it will require you to get at the hoses from under the car or maybe??? through the wheel well. Once you bypass the heater core, your heating and defrosting will be similar to an old VW beetle ;^)

If you put your city in your profile, members nearby might lend a hand, expertise, or some tools. People here are quite helpful to one another, I find.

[OldNuc]

The heater core lines are in the center of the car right below the throttle body.

Two clamps would be a good idea or buy a metal double barb fitting that is the same size as the heater lines.

[kayrah]

Thanks everyone! I'm heading out to give this a try.
I'm in Smyrna, TN by the way. Pretty much in between Murfreesboro and Nashville.
I'll let ya'll know how this goes.

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by kayrah

I'm in Smyrna, TN by the way. Pretty much in between Murfreesboro and Nashville.

Only about 40 minutes from your car's birth place....

[kayrah]

Yup, it's a huge plant too. My dad worked there before the cuts in '07.

I think I got my heater core taken care of for the moment. But now I have another question...
I noticed a thick clay like buildup on my radiator cap, any ideas as to what that is?

[OldNuc]

That is probably the stop leak that someone dumped into the system trying to plug up the leaking heater core. As long as the actual coolant looks clear and not a brownish grunge then you should be OK. If you have DexCool in there it does not like to be aerated and with a leak you are aerating it as the level drops in the reservoir. Air and DexCool will make goo.

If the goo feels lightly gritty its stop leak.

[kayrah]

Yeah it's feels like gritty mud. Will the stop leak hurt my radiator??

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by kayrah

Yeah it's feels like gritty mud. Will the stop leak hurt my radiator??

Yes, and potentially the cooling system as a whole.

Get that CRAP out of there, ASAP.