Ahh, I need some help, Fiance is out of town, and i've been leaking red stuff *coolant* from behind my front right tire, its been dripping slowly for a few days, at first I thought it was ac water, but i stopped and asked a man, he says my heater core valve is leaking. I have family members who know how to work on cars, but i need to know what to buy from the auto parts store. Do I need a whole new heater core or just a hose or valve.. and can I just bypass the heater core with one of those hoses? I don't need heat right now, and I'm leaving for Miami in a few days. I desperately need to get this fixed without spending my vacation money. =))))) help =) Behind the blue and red wire is where it is leaking from I think.. you can see the spots where it looks wet behind/underneath those hoses. What is that??
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/shellylay81/100_0036.jpg

and this is where it is running down my wheel well..
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/shellylay81/100_0039.jpg

Ahh... I see no leak. Or picture for that matter! The way you are describing it sounds like the valve though. I had one go on my 98 Tahoe a year or so ago and I replaced it myself for about $25 (part cost at the dealer) I believe. It is a common part failure... Hope that helps!

Ahh... I see no leak. Or picture for that matter! The way you are describing it sounds like the valve though. I had one go on my 98 Tahoe a year or so ago and I replaced it myself for about $25 (part cost at the dealer) I believe. It is a common part failure... Hope that helps!

good I'm glad to know its a common failure and I should be replacing the right part. That guy who told me it was the valve is an ASE certified mechanic but you never know, I've done a lot of research on this problem and it seems that replacing it is the best bet, instead of bypassing. Plus the part is only 15.99 at my local autozone. =P No dent in the wallet there. Thanks for your reply.

Shelly

Wow, now I see the pictures! I don't know why I couldn't the other day...

Sure, no problem Shelly. I hope this cures the problem. On mine I found that there is an O-ring that seals off the pivot rod going into that valve that just gave out over time. You don't want to worry about stuff like that when you're trying to enjoy your vacation! Good luck!

Yeah, HOPEFULLY no more probs come up before memorial day weekend *when I leave*.. but you know tahoes.. I just replaced the ac/heater controls in the dashboard not even 3 days before this leak started. weird thing is, it didn't leak at all when I had the ac/heater fuse out. I took the fuse out again just to see if it would still leak.. and NOT A DROP has come out since i took out that fuse.. by the way, if your ac gets stuck on high .. you need to get a new in dash unit.. sucked.. and my radio wouldn't make a sound a week before that one, and come to find out my rear speaker wire had corroded and made the entire radio go full blast for 2 seconds every time i started the car and then it just shut off.. I'm starting to think this tahoe is cursed. =P I love it though.