Would a leaking heater core?

[djunkie]

cause the windshield to fog up? I'm starting to get a little coolant smell in my Ford when I run the heater. I figure the heater core is ready to let loose. But everytime I run the defroster the windshield fogs up something terrible and won't clear up. Could the leaking heater core cause that?

 

[Tremor Therapy]

My wife had a late 90's Honda Accord do that, and when we took it in, the heater core had sprung a leak!

 

[Racey]

My wife had a late 90's Honda Accord do that, and when we took it in, the heater core had sprung a leak!

Leaking heater core = higher humidity in the cab, highly moist air condenses on cold glass to form fog.

Kinda like the fog that accumulates on the outside of a ice cold beer on a warm summer day at the lake.

 

[Guest]

cause the windshield to fog up? I'm starting to get a little coolant smell in my Ford when I run the heater. I figure the heater core is ready to let loose. But everytime I run the defroster the windshield fogs up something terrible and won't clear up. Could the leaking heater core cause that?

In a word.....yes!

 

[Tom Brown]

Yes. That is exactly what happens when a heater core goes.

If you let it get worse, you'll find some coolant on the floor of the passenger's side footwell area.

 

[djunkie]

Wonderful. Guess its time to park it for another month or 2 and start driving my Chevy again till I get up some ambition to fix "The Ford". :skull

 

[djunkie]

Yes. That is exactly what happens when a heater core goes.

If you let it get worse, you'll find some coolant on the floor of the passenger's side footwell area.

Ya I checked and it hasn't hit the floor yet.

 

[lebel409]

I just got the heater core replaced on my '00 SD. Smelled it first, then it was on the floor.

Apparently ford on some models made it a freakin' puzzle and the labor rates will be terrible. Mine wasn't too bad.

The Radiator place said that the fluid should be changed more often than ford recommends...and yearly after it's started eating cores.

 

[IRRebel]

Ya I checked and it hasn't hit the floor yet.

What is it with heater cores these days? (Particularly Ford?)

Made in China or Korea, like everything else? G/F had hers replaced last year only to have it done, AGAIN, this year in her Sable!

Back in MY day, heater cores NEVER went out or leaked, we just simply took them out for our drag cars! Used to build and drive cars that sat in a field for 10 years sometimes, never a core problem!

Ray

I Chink I answered my own question.............:skull

 

[Gelcoater]

What is it with heater cores these days? (Particularly Ford?)

Made in China or Korea, like everything else? G/F had hers replaced last year only to have it done, AGAIN, this year in her Sable!

Back in MY day, heater cores NEVER went out or leaked, we just simply took them out for our drag cars! Used to build and drive cars that sat in a field for 10 years sometimes, never a core problem!

Ray

I Chink I answered my own question.............:skull

radiators too. plastic tank/metal core pos. what brainiack thought those up?

 

[djunkie]

Well its a 1990 Ford Ranger so I doubt its like the newer Fords. I put a new heater core in this thing probably 5 years ago so I guess I did ok. Luckily its a piece of cake to change it on this truck.

 

[linus3]

Just had it happen to my jeep. Same deal with the windshield. Found out how much it was to replace and went to Ace to buy a fitting and two hose clamps. Connected the two hoses and by-passed the heater core. Cost me about four bucks and the wife can put on a jacket......