When I start my car I think I can smell a hint of anti-freeze. I'm thinking my heater coil is leaking a little. I'd rather bypass it until I can replace it or just leave it parked until I can replace it but I like driving it a lot.

My question is, what is the best way (easiest) to check to see if it's leaking a little? If it is, what is the easiest way to bypass it until I can get it replaced. I'd rather bypass it than to have it spring a fast leak and soak my floor with that awful smelling anti-freeze.

I already have an evaporator leak so i was thinking that I would replace them both at the same time, later.

 

I think it's pointless to bypass it. Because in order to bypass it, you still have to remove the heater core. And the only way to check, is by pretty much doing every single step up to removing the actual heater core. If you want to remove the side panel that covers it up, you could get a peak and see if it's leaking at the inlet or outlet pipe.

 

On Volvo 850 is easiest to replace Heater Coil you need like 45 min to pull it out and to put new one in.
some directions how to replace it .
It is easy to bypass it, on one picture I marked with red, get short piece off hose and connect top and bottom hoses and you good to go
good luck

 

Is there an easy way to check for a leak? Like pull a cover and drill a small hole or something like that? I can alway plug the hole with silicone or a plug.

Should I assume that it's leaking since I think I smell a little Anti-freeze?

 

Ok, I just checked ipd's website. They say that the coil is not always leaking, sometimes it's just the 0-ring seals. So, my question is, should I pull the heater core out and check it for leaks?

 

Well, no hits on my previous 2 post so I'll try another. LOL

Seeing how tight money is for me these days, I'm thinking about removing the heater core and installing new seals. My new question is, is there a way to test the core for leaks?

If I take it out to install new seals, and find that it has leaks, I will stop where I am and wait to order one for replacement.

 

When I removed my core to replace the firewall junction that broke when I tried to remove the corroded heater hoses, I saw some pinhole weeping spots on the core so I decided to just go ahead and replace it.

I suppose you could pressure test it with some low pressure air and a gauge.

If you have to order a new one go with the Behr. The first one I installed was a Nissens, it exploded and I had a mess and had to get the Behr.

 

If your heater core is still original chances are its a goner. You can do a pressure test to find it leaks or not, which means it needs to take it out first.
+1 on the BEHR, and you might want to get the "kit" w/ o-rings and seal.
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=9144221K

 

I have no idea if this core has ever been changed so I'll assume it has not. So my new question is... Does ipd or FCP sell the Behr?

Also, I was thinking about taking the hoses off under the hood and just plugging them but I'm not sure if that will cause some other problem. Can you just plug the hoses and everything else work fine? Drive the car around and all?

 

Here's the lowest price I found.

http://www.europartsdirect.com/epc-items.asp

 

Thanks! The one on FCP is a few bucks cheaper but it does not specify if it's a Behr or not. I guess I need to find a few $$$ to just get one and get it over with already. I'll check out replacement instructions and move forward.

 

Did you get FCP's e-mail this morning?

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For a limited-time, FCP Groton is offering an unprecedented summer sale! Available at both FCP Groton and FCP Import, customers get 15% off orders over $399 and 10% off orders over $99*. ALL orders over $99 get FREE SHIPPING. This is a LIMITED-TIME OFFER that expires on midnight, July 31st! If you've been on the fence about ordering much-needed parts for your car, NOW is the time to take advantage of our exclusive offer!

To use this exclusive offer, simply use coupon code july10 on your orders over $99 and july15 on your orders over $399!


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Don't you guys have the code that gives you 10% off and free shipping all the time on orders over $100?

 

Nope, not code here.

I sent FCP an message asking about the brand and this is what I got back... "This is from Ready Aire products out of the United States."

Not sure if that means it's a Behr or not. They say it's OEM. Is OEM a Behr?