Heater core leak in a 2004

[kazual]

I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla and the heater core started a tiny leak. I have not been able to spot the leak except for the odor of antifreeze in the cabin. Will products like Bars Stop Leak do the trick. I looked in the manual and it is a time consuming job to replace the heater core.

Is there an easier way?

 

[The Critic]

Ask Toyota for goodwill consideration of a heater core job.

Coolant is Toyota SLL, it's PINK. Is that what you're seeing?

 

[jigger1]

tried bars prodct on my heater core before and it did not solve the problem ended up replacing the core itself. If your still planning to use it just be sure to follow instructions carefully, any mistake may cause you dearly

 

[MrCritical]

Three questions. 1. Are you the original owner of the car? If not, no need to go any further. 2. What's the mileage? 3. Have you spent any money on the car at your selling dealer?

That's the criteria from the manufacturer to give you any help on the vehicle.

 

[kazual]

I have not seen the leak. I can only smell it. I did put in the bars stop leak and followed the directions. I will check into a "Goodwill Repair at Toyota".

 

[kazual]

I have spent money at the dealer; parts and repairs on another vehicle. We have purchased 3 new vehicles at this dealership.

 

[kazual]

Yes, we are the original owners. It has 53,000 miles.

 

[GMBoy]

Maybe a dumb question, but are you positive it's a heater core leak? You state that you cannot find the leak but can smell it in the cabin - maybe its an underhood leak and the smell is coming thru the HVAC vents to the cabin. Is the smell under the hood when the engine is hot?? Maybe you'll be lucky and it's just a loose hose clamp or something.

 

[kazual]

I checked there first. Thankyou.

It is in the cabin. I read that there are o-ring seals on the pipes and maybe one shifted?!? I did run the bars stop leak. I will keep an eye on the coolant for a few days and hope the leak stopped.

 

[Merkava_4]

Are you absolutely certain that it's the heater core leaking? Because you can still get coolant smell inside the cabin from a very small leak in the engine compartment. Coolant is very volatile, so it only takes a tiny bit to get a big smell.

 

[kazual]

The smell is very strong in the cabin. Even had my wife check with the windows closed. The car was sitting in a closed garage at the time. I hope I fixed it, if not, I will change the heater core myself.

 

[kazual]

?

 

[MrCritical]

I believe they will offer to pay for about 50 percent of your repair. More is better!

 

[Drew99GT]

Bars stopped a heater core leak in my Dad's Blazer. Been about 2 years now since it happened. If it comes back, then another bottle will get dumped in cause a heater core would cost more than the vehicle is worth!

 

[kelpie]

How much antifreeze do you have to add? Have seen a similar problem in a Chevy and it turned out to be a defective radiator cap. The heater/AC draws its fresh air from the cowl area. Are your floor mats wet? There should be some signs of a heater core leak b4 you replace it. May be something more simple.

 

[brianl703]

Get the cooling system pressure tested.

 

[Lonnie]

I product that worked for me with exactly the same problem, the smell of a/freeze but no visual evidence, was the GM tablets. Get them at any Chevy/GM dealership. It took about a month for the smell to go away. This leak never showed itself, even the coolant level did not appear the change. I marked the level with a sharpie and could see not movement when check in the morning before driving the car. A GM service manager told me they use the tablets on new cars when they have the odor with no visual evidence of a leak and it works. He said they use it on the assembly line when making the cars, too.

 

[kazual]

I am going to try the GM Tablets.

It won't hurt to try?!?

 

[emory]

My father retired from GM. He confirmed the use of the tabs in the radiators at Doraville, GA Assembly, and Saturn in Spring Hill, Tn.

 

[GMBoy]

GM no longer puts these tablets in the radiators from the factory.