What are the characteristics of a bad heater core in a hyundai tiburon gt?

2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON
78,000 MILES
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ALPINEMX6
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When heater is turned on car temp drops unless on interstate. Anti-freeze gets low
Dec 1, 2011 at 6:59 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Heater core could be clogged-up or leaking-Are you overheating? and how long has this been happening-coolant gettting low-could be leaking somewhere externally or being burned in the combustion chamber-Pressure test the cooling system
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:11 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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car temp=engine temp?
The heater core is a heat exchanger just like the radiator. It removes heat from the coolant flowing through it and gives it to the air passing over it. So, a drop in engine coolant temperature is normal.
Does antifreeze build up in the overflow bottle when the heater is off? Do the floorboards of the vehicle get wet? Can you smell coolant?
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:15 PM
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ALPINEMX6
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The car has never overheated. Coolant smell every once in a while. No collant is in the oil. If there was it would turn an unusual chocolaty color correct, and be thick?
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:17 PM
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ALPINEMX6
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Also the floor mats never get wet or have any dampness to them
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:19 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Yes. Normally that is the case.
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:19 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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How's that toe feel ras? lol
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:20 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Have the cooling system pressure tested-
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:21 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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As my esteemed colleague stated, we recommend having the cooling system pressure tested. It's a fairly closed system, so the levels shouldn't fluctuate much, if at all.
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:21 PM
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ALPINEMX6
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any other suggestions?
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:22 PM
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ALPINEMX6
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cool thank you.
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:23 PM
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RASMATAZ
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lol-didn't know you were behind me-no worry get used to it, it ain't a thing. The problem with the cooling system it likes to overheat. The problem here it needs a 2nd radiator to cool it down-
Dec 1, 2011 at 8:32 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Let us know what the pressure test results are alpinemix6.

ras, another time the question wasn't locked. I clicked 'Answer' and didn't get any message that you were working the question already.
Dec 2, 2011 at 3:09 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Well 2 is better than one -lol dunno anymore. I thinkl I'll just go with the flow
Dec 2, 2011 at 5:39 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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me too.

All fixed up alpinemx6?
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:39 AM