Can i drive my 2010 jeep liberty with a leaking heater core?
The heater uses the coolant (read antifreeze and water) from the engine to get hot. If it runs low enough, by say leaking out of the heater core, your engine will overheat and that can be bad for it and expensive to fix.
Although most antifreeze is poisonous, (don't drink it) if you keep your window open the fumes will not hurt you. That being said, it will stain the carpet, make the inside of the car smelly, leave a puddle on the floor, cause the floor boards to rust(slowly) and mainly be annoying.
Since we are starting into summer you can get by for awhile by just adding water to the coolant tank under the hood. Make sure you do this when the engine is not hot. Engine coolant can give you severe burns if you take the cap off when the engine is hot.
So, about an hour after you get home from work go and check the engine coolant level. If you can hold onto the radiator hose then it is cool enough to add some more water. If you add more water then leaks out you can drive the jeep.
FYI The leak will get worse over time.
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