Flooded cabin with coolant!
11-22-2008, 04:26 AM
#1
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Flooded cabin with coolant!
Holy ****.My car started to smell like coolant.
I traced the smell and I found that a little leak is happenin on the passenger side.Through a little metal hose.
I didn't even know the cooling lines go all the way that far!
I have no idea how to even start fixin this.
Any suggestions?
I traced the smell and I found that a little leak is happenin on the passenger side.Through a little metal hose.
I didn't even know the cooling lines go all the way that far!
I have no idea how to even start fixin this.
Any suggestions?
11-22-2008, 11:16 AM
#2
Zoom Zoom....
Standard questions: What year is your car? Where are you located?
****************
The coolant in your cabin if from a leak in the Heater Core (or associated piping).
The heater core is a mini-radiator that transfers heat from the warm engine coolant to make you and your passengers feel warm and toasty. Unfortunately, also wet, sometimes.
Like the car's engine cooling system, the heater system uses flexible hoses, metal connectors, a regulation valve, and that mini-radiator.
Over time, or with manufacturing defects, any of these parts can leak. Don't ignore it - the leak will get worse and your engine will run out of coolant!
In an emergency, you could bypass the heater core, but only to get the car back home. There have been reports that engine damage has resulted from bypassing the heater core - and engine warranties have been denied.
As you will find, replacing parts under the dashboard is quite labour intensive - and the heater core is fairly expensive as well ($~400).
If you are very handy, and have the online shop manual, you could attempt a DIY repair to save money; but for most owners, this is a dealership job.
The HVAC (heating / vent / air conditioning) system is covered in Canada under basic vehicle warranty (36 months; 80,000km). Coverage may be different where you live.
Good luck.
****************
The coolant in your cabin if from a leak in the Heater Core (or associated piping).
The heater core is a mini-radiator that transfers heat from the warm engine coolant to make you and your passengers feel warm and toasty. Unfortunately, also wet, sometimes.
Like the car's engine cooling system, the heater system uses flexible hoses, metal connectors, a regulation valve, and that mini-radiator.
Over time, or with manufacturing defects, any of these parts can leak. Don't ignore it - the leak will get worse and your engine will run out of coolant!
In an emergency, you could bypass the heater core, but only to get the car back home. There have been reports that engine damage has resulted from bypassing the heater core - and engine warranties have been denied.
As you will find, replacing parts under the dashboard is quite labour intensive - and the heater core is fairly expensive as well ($~400).
If you are very handy, and have the online shop manual, you could attempt a DIY repair to save money; but for most owners, this is a dealership job.
The HVAC (heating / vent / air conditioning) system is covered in Canada under basic vehicle warranty (36 months; 80,000km). Coverage may be different where you live.
Good luck.
11-22-2008, 12:01 PM
#5
Rotary Powered Countryboy
Uh perfect Silver06....def a heater core or assoc. piping i would try to see if you can see if it's just a hose/pipe or the core itself leaking....this would give you a better idea of how expensive it willb but depending on the warranty left it might b coverd and you will not have to worry about anything
11-22-2008, 09:29 PM
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Thanx.
I have an 06.I took a look at it.It's drippin from the pipe that connects to the core.
It looks like another radiator resevior.It's flooding my cabin and I am loosing significant amount of coolant.Not enough to over heat tho.
The pipe is really in there.And it does look like a very labor extensive job.
Maybe I'll try pulling the pipe out and just wrappin it with teflon or some jbweld.
You think that'll help it?
I have an 06.I took a look at it.It's drippin from the pipe that connects to the core.
It looks like another radiator resevior.It's flooding my cabin and I am loosing significant amount of coolant.Not enough to over heat tho.
The pipe is really in there.And it does look like a very labor extensive job.
Maybe I'll try pulling the pipe out and just wrappin it with teflon or some jbweld.
You think that'll help it?
11-22-2008, 10:02 PM
#9
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Thanx.
I have an 06.I took a look at it.It's drippin from the pipe that connects to the core.
It looks like another radiator resevior.It's flooding my cabin and I am loosing significant amount of coolant.Not enough to over heat tho.
The pipe is really in there.And it does look like a very labor extensive job.
Maybe I'll try pulling the pipe out and just wrappin it with teflon or some jbweld.
You think that'll help it?
I have an 06.I took a look at it.It's drippin from the pipe that connects to the core.
It looks like another radiator resevior.It's flooding my cabin and I am loosing significant amount of coolant.Not enough to over heat tho.
The pipe is really in there.And it does look like a very labor extensive job.
Maybe I'll try pulling the pipe out and just wrappin it with teflon or some jbweld.
You think that'll help it?
and don't let it sit in there too long as coolant/brake fluid both eat away at paint!
get on it buddy, GL.
11-22-2008, 10:18 PM
#11
Standard questions: What year is your car? Where are you located?
****************
The coolant in your cabin if from a leak in the Heater Core (or associated piping).
The heater core is a mini-radiator that transfers heat from the warm engine coolant to make you and your passengers feel warm and toasty. Unfortunately, also wet, sometimes.
Like the car's engine cooling system, the heater system uses flexible hoses, metal connectors, a regulation valve, and that mini-radiator.
Over time, or with manufacturing defects, any of these parts can leak. Don't ignore it - the leak will get worse and your engine will run out of coolant!
In an emergency, you could bypass the heater core, but only to get the car back home. There have been reports that engine damage has resulted from bypassing the heater core - and engine warranties have been denied.
As you will find, replacing parts under the dashboard is quite labour intensive - and the heater core is fairly expensive as well ($~400).
If you are very handy, and have the online shop manual, you could attempt a DIY repair to save money; but for most owners, this is a dealership job.
The HVAC (heating / vent / air conditioning) system is covered in Canada under basic vehicle warranty (36 months; 80,000km). Coverage may be different where you live.
Good luck.
****************
The coolant in your cabin if from a leak in the Heater Core (or associated piping).
The heater core is a mini-radiator that transfers heat from the warm engine coolant to make you and your passengers feel warm and toasty. Unfortunately, also wet, sometimes.
Like the car's engine cooling system, the heater system uses flexible hoses, metal connectors, a regulation valve, and that mini-radiator.
Over time, or with manufacturing defects, any of these parts can leak. Don't ignore it - the leak will get worse and your engine will run out of coolant!
In an emergency, you could bypass the heater core, but only to get the car back home. There have been reports that engine damage has resulted from bypassing the heater core - and engine warranties have been denied.
As you will find, replacing parts under the dashboard is quite labour intensive - and the heater core is fairly expensive as well ($~400).
If you are very handy, and have the online shop manual, you could attempt a DIY repair to save money; but for most owners, this is a dealership job.
The HVAC (heating / vent / air conditioning) system is covered in Canada under basic vehicle warranty (36 months; 80,000km). Coverage may be different where you live.
Good luck.
Good post, just as an aside, bypassing the heater core will not damage your engine. It has nothing to do with the function of your engine. While Mazda may (read probably will) void a warranty for tampering with such a system you will find that most race cars completely remove the entire system with no ill effects to the motor.
11-23-2008, 03:29 AM
#12
Zoom Zoom....
Good post, just as an aside, bypassing the heater core will not damage your engine. It has nothing to do with the function of your engine. While Mazda may (read probably will) void a warranty for tampering with such a system you will find that most race cars completely remove the entire system with no ill effects to the motor.
Thanks mac11.
I agree that bypassing the H/C in the absence of other problems should have no bad effects....
However, what I said above was: "There have been reports...."
That caution comes from this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/heater-core-bypass-void-warranty-148225/ (It appears that the guy in that thread bypassed his heater core for a leaking coolant complaint, and then had his engine overheat... Took the car to the dealer with the heater core still bypassed - Mazda denied warranty on the blown engine...)
So, my recommendation to someone I don't know stands - only bypass stuff in an emergency unless you fully understand the underlying cause of the problem.
Cheers.
11-23-2008, 10:09 AM
#14
Thanks mac11.
I agree that bypassing the H/C in the absence of other problems should have no bad effects....
However, what I said above was: "There have been reports...."
That caution comes from this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=148225 (It appears that the guy in that thread bypassed his heater core for a leaking coolant complaint, and then had his engine overheat... Took the car to the dealer with the heater core still bypassed - Mazda denied warranty on the blown engine...)
So, my recommendation to someone I don't know stands - only bypass stuff in an emergency unless you fully understand the underlying cause of the problem.
Cheers.
I agree that bypassing the H/C in the absence of other problems should have no bad effects....
However, what I said above was: "There have been reports...."
That caution comes from this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=148225 (It appears that the guy in that thread bypassed his heater core for a leaking coolant complaint, and then had his engine overheat... Took the car to the dealer with the heater core still bypassed - Mazda denied warranty on the blown engine...)
So, my recommendation to someone I don't know stands - only bypass stuff in an emergency unless you fully understand the underlying cause of the problem.
Cheers.
11-23-2008, 04:35 PM
#16
If you over heated you could have damaged a seal that goes from the pipe to the heater core. Possibly melted and misformed a rubber oring in the connection if there is one?
Now think about the o-rings in the motor and that they can be damaged in the same way. Take that car to the dealership.
11-23-2008, 04:40 PM
#17
Zoom Zoom....
Danger, Will Robinson...
Overheating is not normal.
This is pretty unlikely, but you could have an internal engine seal leak or a coolant restriction that is over-pressuring the cooling system - the weakest point might be your heater core. In theory, the coolant tank cap should release excess pressure long before this happens, though.
You should have the cooling system pressure checked, and the reason for your overheating thoroughly checked out.
EDIT: Mac beat me to it!!
11-23-2008, 04:45 PM
#18
Danger, Will Robinson...
Overheating is not normal.
This is pretty unlikely, but you could have an internal engine seal leak or a coolant restriction that is over-pressuring the cooling system - the weakest point might be your heater core. In theory, the coolant tank cap should release excess pressure long before this happens, though.
You should have the cooling system pressure checked, and the reason for your overheating thoroughly checked out.
EDIT: Mac beat me to it!!
Overheating is not normal.
This is pretty unlikely, but you could have an internal engine seal leak or a coolant restriction that is over-pressuring the cooling system - the weakest point might be your heater core. In theory, the coolant tank cap should release excess pressure long before this happens, though.
You should have the cooling system pressure checked, and the reason for your overheating thoroughly checked out.
EDIT: Mac beat me to it!!
And there could theoretically be a blockage as you suggest causing the initial leak. It would have to be downstream of the heater core inlet, possibly in the heater core itself. In that case there is the possibility that the pressure builds up and bursts at the connection before there is ever a pressure backup into the overflow container.
But I'm guessing in an overheating incident he warped the connection to the heater core and/or damaged an o-ring on the connector/pipe.
11-23-2008, 06:38 PM
#19
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What happened was my coolant resevior broke on me.Then it over heated.I tried rebuilding it, but that didn't work and it over heated again.
I took a look at the heater core and it's the bushing inbetween the pipe and the core it'self that's damaged.
Anyways I called the dealer,having them inspect the cooling system and everything else.
I'm surprised how delicate mazdas are.But I still love my eight!
Thanx everyone really helped!
I took a look at the heater core and it's the bushing inbetween the pipe and the core it'self that's damaged.
Anyways I called the dealer,having them inspect the cooling system and everything else.
I'm surprised how delicate mazdas are.But I still love my eight!
Thanx everyone really helped!
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