2004 Chevy Trailblazer Heater Core Leak

2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
180,000 MILES • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
A mechanic friend of mine bypassed the heater core in my vehicle because I was told by multiple mechanics that the core was leaking. Still, even after the bypass, I have a leak behind the passenger's side wheel. The coolant only leaks when the SUV isn't running. Once the car is turned off, the leak begins only about a minute later. It comes from a valve.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
I would take it to shop and have them pressure test it to see where its coming from.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:27 AM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
To be more specific, here is where the leak is coming from. The black overflow "nipple" valve.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:29 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
That to me looks like the a/c evaporator drain.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
Are those hoses going into the firewall?
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:32 AM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes, but there is no sign of coolant inside the vehicle or even a smell in the upholstery in the back.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
If it is the A/C evaporator drain and it's leaking steadily, is there a quick fix for that?
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:34 AM
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
Im trying to get a sense of where you are positioned in this photo. so I can get my bearings straight on what I'm looking at.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:37 AM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I'm lying on my back underneath the back of the truck, outside of the muffler.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
The muffler? So these hosessions go to the rear of the truck?
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:54 AM
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
Hoses*
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:55 AM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes, all of this literally right behind the rear passenger's side wheel.
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:55 AM
Avatar
JOHNNYT73
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 924 POSTS
ok, that looks to be the a/c drain tube for the rear evaporator. What color is the fluid that comes out, and how much?
Feb 17, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
It's definitely coolant. It's green, and after a week or so, I am running way low. It drips pretty steadily when the engine isn't running. If I let it sit for a couple days, it's nearly empty.
Feb 17, 2016 at 12:16 PM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Any idea about what I can do to stop the leak in the short term?
Feb 17, 2016 at 4:41 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Are you sure the heater was bypassed? could this be residual leakage? coolant still in the core?
Feb 23, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
It's been doing this for about three months. It's a slow leak, but if it were residual, it should have run off by now.
Feb 23, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Does the car have rear air?
Feb 24, 2016 at 7:38 AM
Avatar
DEREKJLARIVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes it did, but the bypass shut it down, heat and air both.
Feb 24, 2016 at 12:54 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
This is a weird one alright, the car must have the lines still full and its residual. There is no other thing I can think of, please let us know if it stops.
Feb 24, 2016 at 3:20 PM