93 Heater core leak/firewall leak

[Ritthjp]

I have a 1993 Cavalier. It had a problem overheating, so I replaced the water pump. Problem not solved. I drove it for awhile, was fine.. Ran into a store with the car running, came back and antifreeze was leaking everywhere. I let the car cool so I could find the leak.

So.. today, I go to drive it home, so I put antifreeze in it, and it's completely just leaking out of this elbow shaped hose that comes out of the firewall. Also there is a "vent" on the firewall on the passenger side of the car that antifreeze is leaking out of.

Anyhow, what I'm trying to find out is what this elbow shaped hose is. It's not connected to anything (now) ..it could have been at one point at time. I can see the return to engine hose which is not near this elbow shaped hose. This elbow shaped hose is right below the hose that goes up to the air conditioner accumulator.

HELP!!

[jimmy3319]

I had the same problem on my 1989 Cavy, had to replace the core.

[RidgeRunner]

The elbow shaped hose you're referring to sounds like the drip pan drain. GM actually did something right by putting a "drip pan" underneath the heater core so that if it leaked, it could drain back to the outside of the car rather than spewing hot antifreeze on your feet and ruining the interior. It's not meant to connect to anything, just hangs out there as a drain.

My Sunbird is currently in pieces because of *gasp* a heater core leak! Wasn't the factory one tho, it lasted almost 10 years... it got replaced it with a cheap parts store unit last November and it started leaking again this week. Luckily, it has a lifetime warranty, so I got another cheap parts store replacement for free.

[fmwiebe]

The elbow shaped hose is actually designed to drain the water off of the A/C evaporater if your car is equiped with A/|C

[RidgeRunner]

Aah, well I guess it doubles as a drain in case the heater core pops open.

[shhtbyrd]

either way you look at it it is a pain to change since you have to rip your car aprt just change the core and you should be fine

[TurtIe]

Ridgerunner has got the right solution but before you go out and purchase a new heater core, inspect the two plastic fittings directly connected to the heater core for cracks. You might be able to salvage the heater core by flushing it thoroughly of any debris that might be blocking its internal plumbing. Tap the side of it lightly with a mallet to aid in this process (Warning: Do not tap on the fragile metal fins. Tap only on the plastic) . Than go buy a new plastic fitting and install it.
P.S. I'm in the process of doing the same procedure on my 93 Chevy Cavalier right now. I'm going to the parts store to buy a new fitting after I'm finished typing. Hope this was helpful.

[TurtIe]

Oh yeah, One more thing. To get your car running again, you can bypass the heater core by coupling the two heater hoses together. This is something I did last summer when I didn't need my heater and didn't feel like taking out my heater core. But I've procrastinated long enough cause I'm starting to freeze my ass off without any heat.

[azcavalier]

I bypassed my heater core when it did the exact same thing on 1993 beretta in the summer of 2001. I decided living in phoenix to screw the heater core and just bypassed it. I got rid of the car last summer and forgot I did that.....driving a 2001 cavalier now.

[TurtIe]

Yup. Phoenix here too. 110 degrees outside and getting my heat to work wasn't top priority.

[chevcav93]

So, can someone find me schematics on how to replace it? I cant find anything on it, im a google newb so if anyone could help me out asap i would appreciate it. thanks

[Ritthjp]

Originally Posted by chevcav93

So, can someone find me schematics on how to replace it? I cant find anything on it, im a google newb so if anyone could help me out asap i would appreciate it. thanks

It's super easy to replace the heatercore, it literally took me about 15 minutes, and thats with fiddlying with the crap behind the lower part of the dash.

[chevcav93]

if its taht easy, could you post some instructions cuz im a tooooooooooooooooootal noob lol thanks

[Ritthjp]

Originally Posted by Ritthjp

It's super easy to replace the heatercore, it literally took me about 15 minutes, and thats with fiddlying with the crap behind the lower part of the dash.

If memory serves me correctly (I did this a year ago). Underneath the car, in the middle of the car, right on the firewall there are two lines that come out, that are attached to rubber lines. Pull the rubber lines off the 2 lines that come out of the engine (mark which one goes where). On the inside of the car, I believe there are 3 or 4 bolts holding the heater core on. You'll have to pull off a few hoses vent lines inside (I think). The heatercore is right behind the radio.

's all I can remember off the top of my head.

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

Check out the post: 93 Cav heater core schematics
I just gave him coomplete instructions.