Heater core leaking

Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD F-150
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Okay here I go again with this darn truck. If it is not one thing, it is another. I do not plan to dump a lot of money in this vehicle but I will do what I have to do.

So, my truck is leaking out of the heater core vent I assume. I know it is not regular condensation or whatever. It is leaking pretty bad. I have to fill my coolant reservoir up everyday. It will overheat if I do not. Also there is a coolant smell coming from the vents and as the AC blows, it looks like a fog of moisture blasting out. When I do not see the fog anymore, I know it is time to put coolant in. To add to this, there is no water in the passenger side floorboard. It all leaks out of the firewall from that black vent. I have used a radiator pressure tester and hooked it to the reservoir. It did not hold. It leaks out at the same spot on the ground. Not even 1 psi. When I cut the truck off after it being got, I can take off the cap with no problem.

What do y'all think?
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 6:52 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
If you are not needing heat.

Not wanting to deal with it right now.

Why do you not "loop"/ "tie" the heater hoses together, this would bypass the heater core. Leaky problem solved for now!

The Medic
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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What hoses am I looking for? Is it the ones that is going through the firewall, next to oil fill cap?
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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Just cut them loose from the firewall and tie then in together?
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Correct!

The two hoses that enter the firewall to the heater core can be tied together.

Sometimes its easier to use one or maybe two elbows to make the loop.

Remember, you will not have heat!

Picture below.

The Medic
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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  • 187 POSTS
I really appreciate this. Yes, I know about the heat. It is gotta get real cold here in TN for me to use the heater anyway.
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Being crammed in a small cozy cab, an option that might keep you somewhat warm if it comes down to it is an electric heater. Picture to give you some ideas below.

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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 187 POSTS
Heck yeah man. Great idea. So from what I described, does that sound like a heater core to you and not a hose inside there?
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Just here to add my two cents. Yes, your heater core is leaking. Most systems incorporate a drain like that for moisture/condensation/and leaks to drain instead of draining to interior/carpet area. I have done a ton of Ford heater cores luckily your 2000 is serviceable from just under the dash on pass side. Around 2002 and up you have to remove entire (yes entire) dashboard to remove the heater core/AC box. If I remember correct last one I did requiring removal of entire dash had 113 screws in total and took a full eight hour day. Just food for thought. Yours is do-able in about four hours (not trying to scare you off!). Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 AT 11:48 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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  • 187 POSTS
So I looped the hoses together and solved that problem, but I am still seeing excess water coming out of the same area when I am running the AC. It is more than just condensation.
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Monday, September 24th, 2018 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Your heater-A/C box does have a drain to vent condensation out the bottom of it. Be sure to check for debris to be blocking the drain hole (leaves-dirt, etc) Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Monday, September 24th, 2018 AT 11:26 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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  • 187 POSTS
Where can this be found?
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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Hello again.

Sometimes it is easier to see if the blower motor is removed to look inside the opening with a flashlight to view. Try removing any debris if inside. If you want to look on the bottom of the firewall in the engine compartment you can see a two inch rubber drain line that vents to the ground. You could possibly try using a coat hanger to try freeing up the drain hole. I could not find a photo of it. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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Yes that would be great. Thank you
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 AT 9:20 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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You are welcome!
Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 AT 10:46 PM

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