coolant dripping onto floor mat

[SoonerBob]

I have an 88 K5 with coolant slowly dripping onto the passenger side floormat. I figure it is the heater core doing something funny. What do I do to fix it without taking it tp a mechanic?

 

[mechted]

yep, toasted heater core

step 1: go buy a new one (should be <$30 at any local autoparts store)
step 2: drain out some coolant out of the radiator
step 3: remove glove box
step 4: start removing air ducting from behind glove box (you will have to remove the vac lines and control cables too.
step 5: remove the inner air box... this requires getting to 1 or 2 nuts which must be accessed from the engine compartment... they suck.... requires you to be double jointed, and have 8 million extensions and swivel joints for you socket sets.
step 6: remove heater hoses (engine compartment)
step 7: remove bad heater core
install is reverse of removal

 

[SoonerBob]

thanks, i'll be gettin to work on that.

 

[udy2554]

There is an in depth article in the Tech. section on the home page site map. Ive done one on a blazer and one on a suburban. Hanes book did a pretty good step by step also. Hope it's helpfull.

 

[badmix]

The only thing I would add is this. You dont need to drain the radiator. I have an 84 K5 and I replaced the heater core couple years ago. I simply removed the heater hoses and tied them up out of the way. I only lost a shot glass of Coolant. Since you are loosing coolant anyways, there may not be much in the heater core.

Here is another tip. Remove your passenger seat. Youll thank me later. ALso pull back the carpet or get alot of towels rags, etc. I didnt make any mess, but you never know.