The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Leaking Engine Coolant

Hey guys,
hope you all had a good winter. Now it's time to get our babies roll'in. I got my truck out of storage yesterday and drove it home 35 miles back to my house. The only problem is, I know my heater core leaks, so last fall I bought a new shut-off valve for the water pump because the old valve screw wasn't seating completely and the previous owner had put a plug in the return so there was no chance of coolant even reaching the heater core in the cab. Well, it still leaks into the heater core and is dripping out of the hose where it is clamped snugly on the fire wall. My question is, could I simply use one piece of radiator hose and run it from the shut off valve (leaving it open) and connect that same piece to the return on the water pump housing? Basically bypassing the heater completely. Any and all suggestions and input really appreciated in advance. Thanks for your time.
Jeff
Lincoln, Nebraska

Jeff,

Making the 'loop' as you describe is a common way to bypass a leaking heater core..fast and easy!

Stuart

Are there any problems with doing this or any special I should be aware of? I can leave the shut-off valve open then can't I?
Jeff

Jeff,

Nothing special to be aware of. Just loop the hose, leaving the valve open or closed...no diff! The heater is a 'extra' so technically you could pull the hose and cap the holes with pipe plugs.

Stuart

Could I get some pipe plugs at a local hardware store? I've never seen anything like that from Jim Carter or the other vendors. Thanks so much for the tip and information by the way. It has been stressing me out a bit. I'm afraid the pressure will build up and it will blow while I'm driving it.
Jeff

put rubber caps over water pump intake and discharge fittings....and put rubber caps over heater intake and discharge copper tubes.......tighten with hose clamps.........most stores like advance.....o'reillys....napa carry radiator hose caps....

Just loop the hose and keep it long enough not to get kinks in it. It won't cost you a thing unless you have two different size hoses. Then just get a hose adapter for a couple of bucks.

Hell Jeff, just tie a knot in the hoses, C-clamp it, stuff some big bolts in and clamp them, loop it around, pipe plug the outlet and inlet if your not going to use the heater any more!
It's just a tap off the cooling system and it really doesn't make any difference whether its there or not. Remember it was an option on most of these old trucks so a lot of them simply didn't have any thing plugged into the water pump.
Denny G

When I pulled my heater for repairs I simply put a piece of copper pipe in the ends of the hoses and clamped them. I then suspended it from the rad support bars for the interim. Ran it all summer that way.
However as is written above just make a simple loop or put plugs in the pump. no problems.
Incidentally I keep that piece of copper in my on board tool box in case the heater blows while I am away from home.

Thanks for all the suggestions and information guys! I appreciate it. Jeff