steam coming out of the heater vents - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72 cheyenne pdx · 10-01-2007, 01:41 PM

Hello All,
I went camping over the weekend, and hadn't started up my truck in a few months. It started right up and after giving her a few minutes of running, I kicked on the heater. I started on my trip and about 5 minutes going down the road, white smoke started pouring out of the defrost vents as well as the heater vents. I pulled over and inspected the enigine compartment, but no smoke in there. I started the truck again and the smoke came back. I put my hand over a vent and realized it was condesation, so figured it was water. It didn't smell like burnt wires/oil/or coolant. After about 15-20 minutes the smoke/steam disappeared and everything seemed fine. My question is, do you think water is getting into the heater hoses? I checked the radiator the next morning and it was full, so I don't think it is coming from there. Any suggestions on where it may be coming from?

Thanks for all the help.

SEA

724x4a/cchevy · 10-01-2007, 01:49 PM

maybe a small crack or something in the heater core.

**Classic Bowties** · 10-01-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 724x4a/cchevy

maybe a small crack or something in the heater core.

67ChevyRedneck · 10-01-2007, 02:00 PM

Mice built a nest in your heater core???

herb101 · 10-01-2007, 02:07 PM

I'm watching this one intently - my 90 Mustang does the same thing, but only in the mornings, and I don't use the heater. Mine does something else special too - I get a burning smell with slower fan speeds. I need to pull the resistor pack out and see if I've got a mouse or big roach slow-roasting there.

I also thought about a cracked heater core, but I never have a wet carpet and the fluid level is always good. The vapor does smell coolanty though.

Herb

hvychve · 10-01-2007, 03:04 PM

time to replace the heater core

**truckdude239** · 10-01-2007, 05:16 PM

heater core my 8 7 f-150 did this and finally it went out all the way with steam out the dash

72 cheyenne pdx · 10-01-2007, 06:24 PM

I was hoping it wasn't the heater core, but it doesn't sound like I am going to be lucky. I will check the hoses first to see if they are cracked. Thanks for all the responses. It is much appreciated.

SEA

rockyrivermark · 11-08-2018, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 cheyenne pdx

I was hoping it wasn't the heater core, but it doesn't sound like I am going to be lucky. I will check the hoses first to see if they are cracked. Thanks for all the responses. It is much appreciated.

SEA

Heater core replacement on these trucks is pretty easy.
Have to losen pass hood hinge.
Search YouTube. Good vid on it there.
About a hour Job.

tcb-1 · 10-01-2007, 09:59 PM

hate to dogpile, but that is a heater core gone south for sure. not as hard to replace as newer vehicles though..... just a bit messy.

72armyswbtruck · 10-02-2007, 04:15 AM

GMC Pauls sells a correct Heater Core which fits better than the ones you get at the local parts stores, if it is the heater cor.e

**special-K** · 10-02-2007, 06:02 AM

Heater core,for sure.

72 cheyenne pdx · 10-02-2007, 04:36 PM

Well I checked my hoses last night and the hoses look real good. A little too good so I called my FIL, who knows the history of this truck, and the heater hoses were replaced about a year before I inherited the truck (2 years ago). So the verdict is out, it must be the heater core.

Thanks Again for all the responses. It sounds like I am going to be replacing the heater core real soon. (Before the fall/winter Salmon/Steelhead runs hit.)

SEA

71Chevyc20 · 11-08-2018, 09:14 PM

Wouldn't cruise further than you can push it back. Sometimes a small leak opens up really fast and then you'll have coolant all over the floor.

**Stocker** · 11-08-2018, 10:03 PM

Well, he's had 11 years to replace the heater core, so he's probably okay.

cornerstone · 11-08-2018, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

Well, he's had 11 years to replace the heater core, so he's probably okay.

LOL!!!!!

10-01-2007, 01:41 PM	#1
72 cheyenne pdx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 382	steam coming out of the heater vents Hello All, I went camping over the weekend, and hadn't started up my truck in a few months. It started right up and after giving her a few minutes of running, I kicked on the heater. I started on my trip and about 5 minutes going down the road, white smoke started pouring out of the defrost vents as well as the heater vents. I pulled over and inspected the enigine compartment, but no smoke in there. I started the truck again and the smoke came back. I put my hand over a vent and realized it was condesation, so figured it was water. It didn't smell like burnt wires/oil/or coolant. After about 15-20 minutes the smoke/steam disappeared and everything seemed fine. My question is, do you think water is getting into the heater hoses? I checked the radiator the next morning and it was full, so I don't think it is coming from there. Any suggestions on where it may be coming from? Thanks for all the help. SEA

10-01-2007, 01:49 PM	#2
724x4a/cchevy Self-proclaimed LED man Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrisburg, Missouri Posts: 1,021	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents maybe a small crack or something in the heater core. __________________ My LED Website My Photobucket Album of LED's Ask me about hand-made custom L.E.D brake and reverse lights. <- LINK I also do LED: -Third Brake/Cargo -Brake (truck and burb) -Reverse (truck and burb) -67-68 Front Turn Signals -69-70 Front Turn Signals -71-72 Front Turn Signals -GMC Front Turn Signals I can also do custom lights for other vehicles....i did a set for a AMC Gremlin once Norwood Survivor

10-01-2007, 02:00 PM	#4
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents Mice built a nest in your heater core??? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

10-01-2007, 02:07 PM	#5
herb101 Used Register Join Date: May 2005 Location: Live Oak, TX Posts: 379	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents I'm watching this one intently - my 90 Mustang does the same thing, but only in the mornings, and I don't use the heater. Mine does something else special too - I get a burning smell with slower fan speeds. I need to pull the resistor pack out and see if I've got a mouse or big roach slow-roasting there. I also thought about a cracked heater core, but I never have a wet carpet and the fluid level is always good. The vapor does smell coolanty though. Herb

10-01-2007, 03:04 PM	#6
hvychve To The Levy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: california Posts: 391	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents time to replace the heater core

10-01-2007, 05:16 PM	#7
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents heater core my 8 7 f-150 did this and finally it went out all the way with steam out the dash __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

10-01-2007, 06:24 PM	#8
72 cheyenne pdx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 382	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents I was hoping it wasn't the heater core, but it doesn't sound like I am going to be lucky. I will check the hoses first to see if they are cracked. Thanks for all the responses. It is much appreciated. SEA Last edited by 72 cheyenne pdx; 10-01-2007 at 06:24 PM.

10-01-2007, 09:59 PM	#10
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents hate to dogpile, but that is a heater core gone south for sure. not as hard to replace as newer vehicles though..... just a bit messy. Last edited by tcb-1; 10-01-2007 at 09:59 PM.

10-02-2007, 04:15 AM	#11
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents GMC Pauls sells a correct Heater Core which fits better than the ones you get at the local parts stores, if it is the heater cor.e __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

10-02-2007, 06:02 AM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents Heater core,for sure. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-02-2007, 04:36 PM	#13
72 cheyenne pdx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 382	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents Well I checked my hoses last night and the hoses look real good. A little too good so I called my FIL, who knows the history of this truck, and the heater hoses were replaced about a year before I inherited the truck (2 years ago). So the verdict is out, it must be the heater core. Thanks Again for all the responses. It sounds like I am going to be replacing the heater core real soon. (Before the fall/winter Salmon/Steelhead runs hit.) SEA

11-08-2018, 09:14 PM	#14
71Chevyc20 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Flanders,ny Posts: 4	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents Wouldn't cruise further than you can push it back. Sometimes a small leak opens up really fast and then you'll have coolant all over the floor.

11-08-2018, 10:03 PM	#15
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,722	Re: steam coming out of the heater vents Well, he's had 11 years to replace the heater core, so he's probably okay. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay



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