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heater core exploded; antifreeze all over the inside of my car
Topic Started: Dec 8 2013, 08:06 PM (1,599 Views)
hdsheena
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Still new, but learning...

Oops.
Bought the car from the coast. It doesn't get very cold there. I guess the antifreeze isn't rated for the -20 we've had here the other day.
There is antifreeze all over the inside of my car. Floormats are easy, but seats, dash, inside my glove compartment.. What's the best way to clean it up so it doesn't damage stuff? How corrosive is it? Thoughts?
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

Not too corrosive, but can be slightly sticky.
The worst will be the smell. :gamerz

The only fix I know of is to strip EVERTHING and give it a though cleaning. The more you strip out and clean, the better. ESPECALLY the carpet. A pressure washer will be your best friend.
If you haven't done it yet, it will be a good time to do it. A lot of us do it when we get our Metro's for the first time. It's amazing how dirty these little beast can get on the inside.

Might to wait until it gets warmer though. Of course the faster you do it, the less time it will have to soak up the smell.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

The entire carpet can be removed in less than an hour and it fits in one of those heavy duty washers at the laundrymat.
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Memphis metro


What did you do about the leak?
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hdsheena
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Still new, but learning...

Looked in the car. Oh there's antifreeze everywhere. It's -15 outside. Meh. I should clean that up at some point I guess...
That's what I did. It's freaking cold outside. I assume it's broken and leaked and won't continue to leak at this point. am I wrong? Will more things break? Should I drain the rad or?
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Memphis metro


It will continue. You likely need a heater core. You should have someone pressure test your system for leaks. Sorry for your troubles.
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1DCGUY
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Don't be a "Richard"

Please tell me you drained the block, and refilled with the proper mix? :ermm:

If you didn't, I would be more worried about a cracked block than a heater core. :O
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

1DCGUY
Dec 8 2013, 09:02 PM
Please tell me you drained the block, and refilled with the proper mix? :ermm:

If you didn't, I would be more worried about a cracked block than a heater core. :O

:gp
Big Rhino
Dec 8 2013, 09:01 PM
It will continue. You likely need a heater core.

:gp
You can bypass the heater core for now, but you will have NO heat. Basically just disconnect the hose going from the intake to the heater core at the heater core. disconnect the hose going from the heater core to the water tube at the water tube. Attach the hose from the intake to the water tube.


Maybe get one of those little ceramic plug in heaters for now?

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hdsheena
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Still new, but learning...

Car in question is sitting parked, has been for a couple months now. Cracked block.. if its not too late, what can i do NOW to prevent it? Is draining the radiator enough? no?
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Old Man


hdsheena
Dec 8 2013, 09:28 PM
Car in question is sitting parked, has been for a couple months now. Cracked block.. if its not too late, what can i do NOW to prevent it? Is draining the radiator enough? no?
re read post #8
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Can't drain ice.

Top off radiator with 50/50 coolant. Get the car running (bypass heater core first) and get it to operating temp. Get it so the fan cycles keep adding 50/50 mix coolant then shut it off.

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Memphis metro


-20 degrees, I would be tempted to go 60/40.
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hdsheena
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Still new, but learning...

The rad fluid isn't frozen.. or wasn't this afternoon. It got really cold a few days ago, but hasn't been that cold since. It shouldn't drop below -15 for the next few days.
"Basically just disconnect the hose going from the intake to the heater core at the heater core. disconnect the tube going from the heater core to the water tube at the water tube. Attach the hose from the intake to the water tube. "
This is what I need to do to preserve the block as well?
This car.. doesn't run. It didn't like idling to begin with, then the starter was acting up, so I just parked it. It hasn't been started since maybe the beginning of October..
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Memphis metro


Drain the radiator and hope for the best. You poor thing. You need a mechanic bad. ;)
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aaronvincent
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Mr Mojo Risin'

This is a pic of what you need to do (from my 2000 swift)

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