My heater puked! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 03-24-2003, 05:14 AM

I was driving just like normal to a friends house and out of nowhere water and antifreeze start pouring onto my floor. I pulled over and it stopped. So I check under the hood and everything seems normal except the heater box is leaking on this side of the firewall now. When I take back off and the weight shifts to the back, what do ya know, more coolant comes pouring onto my floor. So I just disconnected the hoses but it's so cold outside without a heater. I need to get this fixed.

Is this what a broken heater does? Never had this happen before. What do I need to replace? How hard is this? Tips, suggestions and Step By Step Instructions would be nice too.

Man, this sucks.

OhioDan · 03-24-2003, 05:59 AM

Sounds like your heater core is leaking. Stop at nearest radiator shop and pick one up. Along with a couple of gallons of anti-freeze and you'll be set to fix the problem.

Blue Beard · 03-24-2003, 09:30 AM

Sounds like one of the nipples is leaking.........time for a new heater core.....not that expensive.

cdowns · 03-24-2003, 09:48 AM

IT"S SPRINGTIME WUDDAYA NEED A HEATER FOR

72moneypit · 03-24-2003, 10:29 AM

GreenMystChevy

I just finished replacing my heater core last weekend on my 72 Cheyenne. It wasn't that diffucult, except for two bolts on the underside of the heater core box that you have to get to from under the truck. (It wigs me out to crawl under the truck... that's why I'm not a mechanic!) I picked up a new heater core for less than $30 bucks at the local AutoZone.

I did ask my local mechanic what he'd charge, and was quoted 5 1/2 hours for labor... I thought that was way too much, so did it myself in about 2 1/2 hours. It's been a week, and no leaks!

Here's what I did. I have a factory AC truck... not sure if the process is different for non-AC trucks

1. Disconnect battery
2. Disconnect heater hoses from firewall.
3. Remove glove box and glove box door.
4. Disconnect the plastic ventilation "distributor" from heater core box.
5. Remove 4 nuts (firewall side) from box/plate surrounding area where heater core pokes through firewall. Top 2 are easy, bottom 2 are hard to get to.
6. Remove additional 2 or 3 bolts from interior side.
7. Remove heater core box from truck.

Reverse procedure to install new one.

Good luck!

Paul

GreenMystChevy · 03-24-2003, 12:11 PM

cdowns:
I wish it was as warm as Florida. My truck froze last night and it sure was fun driving it to work in the morning.

72moneypit:
Thanks for the instructions. I just wanted to clarify one thing though. I am installing this from the inside of the truck, correct? I am taking off that whole long thing inside the truck? Do I need to take off the black thing on the engine side?

Thanks for the info guys. Should be no problem, just don't want to take more apart than I have to.

lpaine · 03-24-2003, 12:27 PM

The heater core was the first thing I fixed on my truck, you might want to un-bolt the passenger side inner fender and get it out of the way when you replace your heater core; the bolts at the bottom of the heater box are easier to get at when you do this. It'll save you a lot of grief, beleive me.

72moneypit · 03-24-2003, 12:31 PM

You don't need to remove the big black thing in the engine compartment, but the 4 nuts I refer to are attached to it. The heater core resides behind the glove box on the far right passenger side, inside the truck. There's a plastic ventilation distribution thing attached to the left side of the heater core box that you'll have to remove, but it was pretty easy.

Paul

da-burb · 03-24-2003, 01:19 PM

AC trucks have the core on the inside, non AC trucks the core is replaced from the engine compartment. Which do you have?

GreenMystChevy · 03-24-2003, 01:20 PM

non AC. Ah, thanks for coming to my aid on this one. I woulda had the whole truck torn apart. Does this make it easier? A guy can hope, lol

Blue Beard · 03-24-2003, 01:53 PM

You might consider replacing the big round rubber seal while you have it apart.......

The one there maybe the original..........just a thought so you don't have to go back and do it later.....

03-24-2003, 05:14 AM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	My heater puked! I was driving just like normal to a friends house and out of nowhere water and antifreeze start pouring onto my floor. I pulled over and it stopped. So I check under the hood and everything seems normal except the heater box is leaking on this side of the firewall now. When I take back off and the weight shifts to the back, what do ya know, more coolant comes pouring onto my floor. So I just disconnected the hoses but it's so cold outside without a heater. I need to get this fixed. Is this what a broken heater does? Never had this happen before. What do I need to replace? How hard is this? Tips, suggestions and Step By Step Instructions would be nice too. Man, this sucks. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-24-2003, 05:59 AM	#2
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Sounds like your heater core is leaking. Stop at nearest radiator shop and pick one up. Along with a couple of gallons of anti-freeze and you'll be set to fix the problem. __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

03-24-2003, 09:30 AM	#3
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Sounds like one of the nipples is leaking.........time for a new heater core.....not that expensive. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-24-2003, 09:48 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	IT"S SPRINGTIME WUDDAYA NEED A HEATER FOR __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-24-2003, 10:29 AM	#5
72moneypit Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 125	GreenMystChevy I just finished replacing my heater core last weekend on my 72 Cheyenne. It wasn't that diffucult, except for two bolts on the underside of the heater core box that you have to get to from under the truck. (It wigs me out to crawl under the truck... that's why I'm not a mechanic!) I picked up a new heater core for less than $30 bucks at the local AutoZone. I did ask my local mechanic what he'd charge, and was quoted 5 1/2 hours for labor... I thought that was way too much, so did it myself in about 2 1/2 hours. It's been a week, and no leaks! Here's what I did. I have a factory AC truck... not sure if the process is different for non-AC trucks 1. Disconnect battery 2. Disconnect heater hoses from firewall. 3. Remove glove box and glove box door. 4. Disconnect the plastic ventilation "distributor" from heater core box. 5. Remove 4 nuts (firewall side) from box/plate surrounding area where heater core pokes through firewall. Top 2 are easy, bottom 2 are hard to get to. 6. Remove additional 2 or 3 bolts from interior side. 7. Remove heater core box from truck. Reverse procedure to install new one. Good luck! Paul __________________ Paul 72 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper greenaz@hotmail.com

03-24-2003, 12:11 PM	#6
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	cdowns: I wish it was as warm as Florida. My truck froze last night and it sure was fun driving it to work in the morning. 72moneypit: Thanks for the instructions. I just wanted to clarify one thing though. I am installing this from the inside of the truck, correct? I am taking off that whole long thing inside the truck? Do I need to take off the black thing on the engine side? Thanks for the info guys. Should be no problem, just don't want to take more apart than I have to. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-24-2003, 12:27 PM	#7
lpaine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada Posts: 637	The heater core was the first thing I fixed on my truck, you might want to un-bolt the passenger side inner fender and get it out of the way when you replace your heater core; the bolts at the bottom of the heater box are easier to get at when you do this. It'll save you a lot of grief, beleive me. __________________ 1969 G.M.C 3/4 Ton 920 (Canadian Version) 307 3 speed, currently apart 1998 Chevy 1/2 ton ex cab V-6 5 speed 1967 Chevy SWB - project truck; not started just yet

03-24-2003, 12:31 PM	#8
72moneypit Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 125	You don't need to remove the big black thing in the engine compartment, but the 4 nuts I refer to are attached to it. The heater core resides behind the glove box on the far right passenger side, inside the truck. There's a plastic ventilation distribution thing attached to the left side of the heater core box that you'll have to remove, but it was pretty easy. Paul __________________ Paul 72 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper greenaz@hotmail.com

03-24-2003, 01:19 PM	#9
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	AC trucks have the core on the inside, non AC trucks the core is replaced from the engine compartment. Which do you have? __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

03-24-2003, 01:20 PM	#10
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	non AC. Ah, thanks for coming to my aid on this one. I woulda had the whole truck torn apart. Does this make it easier? A guy can hope, lol __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-24-2003, 01:53 PM	#11
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	You might consider replacing the big round rubber seal while you have it apart....... The one there maybe the original..........just a thought so you don't have to go back and do it later..... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo



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