Mixed the wrong coolant

[stook02780]

I've only had this blazer for a very short period and already its something new every week with it. (1st gen, 94 GMC Jimmy)

Anyways my last post was about the thermostat I had to replace. A few days later I checked under the hood and noticed my coolant reservoir tank empty, I drove over to Autozone, got the "dexi-cool" coolant I hear so much about, I poured some in and realized this stuff was orange.... GREAT!!!!! Was this a requirement only for gen II blazers? Or was the previous owner wrong in using the green stuff?

Within a few miles I noticed my heater shutting off completely even with the fan on high. I would hit a bump and it would work again. I ran it another week with no problems. Now it won't turn on at all, my windows are foggy and I smell coolant. I can't tell if the liquid on the floor is coolant or soda because those lovely cup holders just seem to give up after taking a corner.

So am I looking at replacing a heater core, or am I clogged? and what else do you reccomend? I've had it with this thing

[Cailen]

Probably a heater core

At least you haven't overheated... yet

[DetroitMuscle]

flush the radiator, reverse flush the heater core, check the wiring connectors for the blower motor and such that deal with the HVAC system in the car.

[stook02780]

i read a few posts about flushing. Are there any threads with some pictures?

[Jeremy Fitch]

Sounds like the ehater core to me.

[riccbhard]

The green coolant is fine, just FYI. The orange stuff is factory and sometimes can be harder on gaskets if not changed when it's susposed to be. Just dont mix the two.

[blazee]

Those are the classic signs of a failed heater core, flushing will only fill your floor with water.

Green is the correct coolant for your vehicle Dexcool wasn't introduced until late 1995

[stook02780]

just read somewhere that driving with the coolant level low will introduce air into the system and clog up the heater core, which may be the case, because I don't know how long my resevoir tank was empty.

[stook02780]

ok I will be posting as I go along.

(Truck is cold, has been sitting for a few days)

I opened up my rad cap. The coolant is about 2 inches lower then the top. On the rim of the rad the coolant is a brownish color, inside the radiator is normal green.

My resevoir tank cap, doesn't seem to screw on straight no matter how hard I try. The tank is empty, has a brownish look to the slight amount of liquid in there.

I pulled back my carpet, I can see coolant spots splattered.


Should I skip the flush and go right for the core from this point?

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by stook02780

I pulled back my carpet, I can see coolant spots splattered.


Should I skip the flush and go right for the core from this point?

Yes