96 transport heater core

[booniebh]

Was wondering if it was normal for the heater core to drain. Cominh thru fire wall looks like a drain hose. Is there a cap for it?

[LMP]

It is a drain for the a/c evaporator...and of course, it must not be capped. Air moisture condenses when the a/c works and exits from there. If car is parked with a/c working, you will quickly see a small pool of water under the car. At times in can get clogged and water can seep inside the car....but this model does not have a serious history of that trouble, but it can happen.
Of course it will also evacuate any rain that would get through.
and.....if it happens that what you see dropping under the car is engine coolant......that is not good news...

[booniebh]

Originally Posted by LMP

It is a drain for the a/c evaporator...and of course, it must not be capped. Air moisture condenses when the a/c works and exits from there. If car is parked with a/c working, you will quickly see a small pool of water under the car. At times in can get clogged and water can seep inside the car....but this model does not have a serious history of that trouble, but it can happen.
Of course it will also evacuate any rain that would get through.
and.....if it happens that what you see dropping under the car is engine coolant......that is not good news...

I dont see any coolant coming out. Engines does run a little warm at idle. Already flushed and changes thermostat. Engines cools fine when under load. Just does it at idle. Thanks for your info though

[LMP]

..mmmm...I'm looking for the connection with the a/c here....I think we are talking two different issues...YOu mean you have a problem with the engine temperature? What engine is this? 3.1 ?.
and...will the fans near the radiators run when temperature gets hot?

[booniebh]

Originally Posted by LMP

..mmmm...I'm looking for the connection with the a/c here....I think we are talking two different issues...YOu mean you have a problem with the engine temperature? What engine is this? 3.1 ?.
and...will the fans near the radiators run when temperature gets hot?

Its got a 3.4 and the fans do run when it gets hot. I noticed the drainage when i changed the thermostat. I belive its coming from the heater core.

[LMP]

Indeed..96 was the shift to 3.4.
NOtice that overheating is, alas, a common issue with the 3.1/3.4 and a blown head gasket is the first..and generally only suspect to end with. THis is unwanted and a lot will spend tons of money on radiators, coolant pumps, even catalytics before accepting the fact. This forum is FULL of these events, my brother with a 2002 just got his head gaskets changed a month ago. So if you have overheating, do not neglect this possibility.
Other symptoms that come with it are uneven heat form heater, fluctuating temp needle, coolant loss, and steaming.

IN as much as heater core is concerned, www.avigex.ca/xport/HeaterCoreRemove.jpg www.avigex.ca/xport/heater.jpg ..much easier in fact if performed at time the engine heads are out.....if you have to do both.