When I start my car and pull away there is a puddle of coolant and a trail following me out. but then if I shut it off right away and top off the coolant, and start it again, it doesn't leak any more, that's noticeable, but I'm still loosing antifreeze nonetheless. Does this mean my heater core is bad?
I'm not sure what your "ac drain tube" is, but it is possible that the coolant is what drained out the night before. This means that the coolant is hot. Hot coolant expands and will overflow if the radiator is full to begin with. Most cars provide a coolant reservoir to capture this overflow - and to which to add coolant. If your car has this reservoir, you should maintain the level for HOT or COLD (do not fill to the top)depending on whether the engine is cold or hot. If the coolant level in the reservoir is between the HOT and COLD marks, (not up to the top) and you're seeing coolant on the ground, you have a leak somehwere. A heater core that is leaking usually shows up INSIDE the car - on the floor for the front passenger - directly below the dashboard; as this is where it is located.
A puddle under the car should give an idea as to where the leak originates. Arrange to park on top of a sheet of cardboard so that any leak will drip onto it. Check it later in the day or the next morning prior to starting and driving off. If dry, reposition the cardboard under the car again, and start the engine and drive off the cardboard. Park and retrieve the cardboard and inspect for wat spots. In either case, if water is found, you can use the cardboard to approximate the location of the leak. Bear in mind that the leak could drip onto a part - and floow the part to a low point before dripping on the cardboard.
Some of the underhood A/C components will drip condensate if they are running in hot, humid conditions. This is normal. Condensate is simply water and is odorless and colorless. Coolant, on the other hand - is slightly thicker than water and is usually yellow-green or pink in color and has a slightly sweet smell. Coolant has lubricating qualities too, so it will be slippery. You will probably not be able to tell the difference between the two by looking at it is on asphalt; but touching it with fingers and looking for color & smell will.
A little coolant on the ground is nothing to worry about. Make sure that the coolant level is not dropping consistantly, and you should be ok. If it is always requiring that you add coolant, it is the sign of a leak somewhere.
Good luck!
SOURCE: coolant leaking out of heater core drain tube
The core is bad. You're lucky you have a catchpan and drain in your car... most people end up with coolant all over their feet when this happens! You have a few options. 1. You can pick up a bottle of cooling system leak stopper (available at Wal Mart and auto parts stores), follow the directions and see if that stops the leaking. 2. You can cut the heater lines and bypass the core entirely (obviously this is only a good idea if you live in Arizona or some other warm place). 3. Replace the core.
SOURCE: Heater Core
Please use this link its the service manual for the car :
http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId,2395002/initialAction,repairGuide/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152800a9227
Good luck...
SOURCE: How to replace coolant tank on Saturn SL2
The antifreeze tank is held on by I believe two bolts on the side. It's pretty easy to remove,
Just unbolt, remove hose and do the reverse with your new one.
As far as a replacement, I'd junkyard or ebay one. Lot cheaper, quicker, and easier than trying to get an aftermarket one and modifying to fit.
SOURCE: coolant smell inside cab when you turn on car/heat
Likely you are in the beginning stage of a heater core leak. at this point, you may be able to temporarily solve the problem by using a good system sealer (I'm partial to the kind that comes as a silver powder) Since we don't actually know the condition of the core, temporary may mean a week or several years, but replacement is expensive and time consuming so I'd definitely give it a try.
SOURCE: My car is leaking coolant and overheating
The best way to diagnose this is with the hood up and the vehicle running. The possible places for leaks are:
1.The upper or lower radiator hoses. The hoses themselves or at either end where they connect.
2.The radiator, especially on the plastic ends which are prone to small cracks in this age of vehicle.
3. The water pump itself which is equipped with a small "weep hole" that will allow coolant to drip from the pump when it is bad. The weep hole is usually located on the underside of the pump, but on some vehicles it may be on the top side of the pump.
The fact that you have a big puddle after 5 minutes will actually make it easier to find than it might otherwise be. I hope this is helpful.
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Fig. 17: Remove the thermostat housing mounting bolts-2.0L SOHC engine
To install:
Fig. 18: Location of the water hose connection mounting bolts-2.0L DOHC engine
Fig. 19: Remove the thermostat and seal. Inspect the seal for damage and replace as necessary-2.0L DOHC engine
To install:
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