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Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R...
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Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:49:41 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., Joe98, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 09:29:57
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That is relatively new for a heater core leak. But that doesn't mean it can't happen.
It might not be the core - it might be the fittings between the hoses and the core. Pop the top off the aquarium and take a look. A small leak there would be in the airflow.

It doesn't take much of a leak to stink and fog things up. All it takes is a few molecules to smell. Remember, by nature the heater core is hot, so fluids tend to evaporate off, generating lots of stink and steam. It actually takes quite a bit of leakage to get a drip. The usual failure mode of the heater core are microcracks that weep small amounts of coolant. If it does drip, it drips behind the center console, right on top of the SRS module. That's why there was a recall that installed covers on the SRS module (taken care of in your year.)

Bars Leaks works very well for small leaks. Yes, there are products out there that will screw up your cooling system, but not all products are created equal. There has been a lot on Bars Leaks on this BB, and the majority view is that it works quite well with no nasty side effects. Many major manufacturers use Bars Leaks in brand new engines. It only effects very, very small passages and only when exposed to air. There are no passages that small in the engine.

The 'downside' of Bars Leaks is that it won't plug a big hole. Remember those old Zerex (sic?) commercials, where someone stuck an awl into a radiator, and the holes closed up? That's great, but that activity will also gum up the engine. Stick an awl into a radiator with Bars Leaks, and it will all run out.

Bars Leaks is NOT a fix. It's a delay. As a delay, it's a damn good one. I developed a very minor heater core leak in my '92 about three years back. I've been running Bars Leaks ever since, and it's kept the leak at bay. The car runs cool and happy, and no 'baked bread' smell. Does this mean it's fixed? No. All I've done is delay replacing the heater core. But delay is good. If my blower motor goes out or the heater flap dies, I'll have to go in there, and I'll replace the core then. Or, god forbid, the car gets totalled by a snowplow in a parking lot - then that's one less new part in the mess.

If you're getting window fogging, I suspect your leak is too much for Bars Leaks. But it wouldn't hurt to try. Find it in liquid form (it also comes in pellet form). Get two 4 oz (or so) bottles. Shake up a bottle, and with a COLD engine, unscrew the cap of the coolant reservoir and pour in ONE bottle. Replace the cap, and go for a drive. You want to drive around for 20-30 minutes, long enough for the coolant to get up to full temperature and circulate. No, no need to drive cross country. That's it. The stuff is subtle, so it takes a while. And even if it did close off the holes right away, there will be residual coolant on the core to evaporate off. Any magic about the engine being cold? No, nothing other than opening a hot cooling system can burn you.

If you still get fogging after a week, put in the second 4 oz bottle. Or if the fogging goes away, but you still get smell after two weeks. No more than two 4 oz bottles.

If it doesn't work, all you've lost is $5 for two bottles of Bars Leaks.

Replacing a heater core is DIY, but it's an intermediate job. That means a decent set of tools and an afternoon. It's easier on the newer cars because of the aquarium design. You can probably get away with not draining the AC system on a '98. Older cars (like an '88) the job is harder. Try some of the mail order places that advertise on the BB - I use Sobstory, but the others are good, too. They'll sell you the right bits for a good price. I'm going to guess at about $150-$200 for a new core. Just a guess.

Check out Quasi's site (quasimotors.gar.net) for instructions. A few others have posted on the job.

Normally a heater core replacement is on an older car. By then, you start thinking about replacing the blower motor. But unless your blower motor is sounding bad, I wouldn't spring for the $$$$$ for a new one. If the car were 6 years older, I would put in a new one.

If I were you, I'd pull the aquarium cover and make sure you have NO hose leaks. This is a pretty new core for a leak. I contact the dealer to find out if you have an warranty claim - this isn't an old car. If no dice, I'd try a small bottle of Bars Leaks, a second if necessary after a week. No real downside on the Bars Leaks. Even if it buys you another year, it's another year.

Good luck!

posted by 192.249....
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