Major coolant leak (Possible heater core failure)

[VogRunner]

This repair might be the one that breaks me. I just don't know if i have the time or funds to deal with it, I've done digging on this website and others and I've come up with similar threads with similar issue, only one thread described my issue exactly, but it was from several years ago and the guy got no solution to my knowledge.

Basically, i had a huge coolant leak i noticed after pulling into my driveway. The radiator was a little bit low and the reservoir was near empty. I thought it would just be a hose, or even those two little hoses for the rear heater but those look totally fine to my surprise. No leak on any part of the hoses or the heater control valve. They actually look great, i narrowed down exactly where the leak was coming from, a weird spot.

The AC evap drain

This is located on the passenger side firewall right above the header and below the intake. Right where the heater core is i believe.

Someone in the other thread said that this drain also doubles conveniently as a drain for the heater core if it leaks. Is that true? And if so, do i absolutely NEED to replace the heater core in this scenario? From what i've seen of that repair, it is absolutely insane. I haven't tried back flushing it or trying to flush it out yet, that would probably be a cheap/good route to start? But what if it doesn't help at all? This problem is so bad, that when i blow my heater on full blast, the cabin fills with the sweet smell of antifreeze. It's a pretty gnarly leak.

The reason i don't wanna do the heater core, is cause in order to fix it, you gotta do THIS

 

[jgue467]

Can you live without the heater? If so and you don't want to deal with the heater core Now, you could just route the hoses leading to the heater control valve in circle to each other. Luck deciding.

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

If you can live without heat then route the hoses together like [MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION] suggested. If not.....well.....you already found the video. The job does take longer than 23 seconds though. Just FYI.

 

[VogRunner]

If you can live without heat then route the hoses together like [MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION] suggested. If not.....well.....you already found the video. The job does take longer than 23 seconds though. Just FYI.

I definitely can live without it. Even tho it’s around 40 in the morning and cold, I had the climate control set to fully cold this morning and no leaking or dripping too bad, but the main problem is the damn window fogs up SUPER bad even with the defroster, do you think looping the heater lines with fix this?

I read it’s a symptom of a bad heater core is an easily fogged up window.

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

the main problem is the damn window fogs up SUPER bad even with the defroster, do you think looping the heater lines with fix this?

Yes, it should definitely help. Also your AC compressor has to be working properly in order for the defroster to work. The AC compressor removes moisture from the air inside your rig. Is your AC working in the Summer? I know that replacing the heater core is a giant pain but it's something that could easily be done in one weekend with proper tools and moderate skills.

 

[vamonoskevin]

How is your Bypass?

hows your bypass holding up? sorry to resurrect