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2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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bambino12
Novice
Mar 20, 2008, 4:32 PM
Post #1 of 15
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2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Hello All!
I own a Chevrolet Cavalier year 2000, 2.2L engine. It is about 70 000 miles
There is a leakage in my cooling system.
Drops do not come either from radiation nor from coolant deposit, nor from the water pump.
I can see drops coming from a strange pipe.
Im bad to explain things, I attach a picture
There you can see the plastic pipe Im talking about. Also, you can see the coolant pond on the floor.
About a month ago I took my car to service (tunning, refill all levels, oil change, engine wash and so on). I wonder if the guys at the service center forgot to connect something.
Also, I don't use this car too much, I only use it on weekends. Last weekend I just noticed a bad smell (like something burning) and that´s the way I noticed there was a leakage, it was the smell of hot coolant fluid. I also replaced the deposit's cap, since the previous one just broke, I guess because of the heat.
I noticed then the "low coolant level" warning light in my dahsboard.
Thanks all!!!!
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cavalier_2000_leak_1.JPG
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cavalier_2000_leak_2.JPG
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 20, 2008, 4:43 PM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Is that just a small elbow type hose,that comes out the firewall and goes nowhere..
If so..thats the evaporator case drain...
The heater core is probably leaking.
Do you notice any coolant inside on the passenger floorboard under the carpet?
Any unusual steam coming up thru the defrost duct..film on the windshield?
Thats what the pic's look like....
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 20, 2008, 4:54 PM
Post #3 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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That little rubber elbow is to let water (condensate) from the air conditioner out in season when they make water in humid weather. The same case (inside car) hold the heater core which is a miniature radiator for heat. If that leaks it could leak engine coolant out that hose but usually there is a sign on the right interior floor or if you look up under there it might show some coolant - is slippery in fingers compared to plain water - wash hands please if you get it on them.
That's what the thing looks like to me. I could be wrong and a heater core replacement should be verified by someone checking that out in person. Sometimes a hose can leak or have a pin hole that squirts like fishing line and make some place show coolant and the leak isn't there at all!
I'd have the system pressure tested and point out where you have seen coolant but don't make the diagnosis for them or you just may get a heater core and not need it! Fill cooling system now with proper mix of anti-freeze and water - usually 50/50 - filled at radiator first and then the tank (recovery) that you can see the level in. If this doesn't have a radiator cap it will have to be filled by taking a hose up high off as it may not draw in coolant from just the recovery tank when low enough to make the light come on or if the leak won't allow the vacuum action to draw it back in,
T
Good luck,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 20, 2008, 4:55 PM
Post #4 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Hey Jim! Same thought except you were more concise!
T
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Double J
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Mar 20, 2008, 5:06 PM
Post #5 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Great minds think alike...
I'm a man of few words...
Wished I could explain fully like you do.
You "Paint" the better picture for sure
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bambino12
Novice
Mar 20, 2008, 5:18 PM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Hello Jim!
Yeah!!
I think you are right.
My car doesn't have Air Conditioner, but it certainly has defrost/ventilation fan.
And the smell certainly comes from the defrost/ventilation ducts.
I will check about coolant inside the passenger floorboard.
Also, will turn on the defrost to see if some steam is forming on the windshield.
As I use my car little (only on weekends and for very short trips) I have not had time to look at details, but will do some testing.
So.... is the heater core some kind of device that heats the air for defrost purposes?
Do you think it would imply an expensive repair? Just don't want me to be fooled by my mechanic.
Many thanks!!!!!!!
I will report my findings! This forum is great!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 20, 2008, 5:22 PM
Post #7 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Same heater core for heat or defrost. Not sure if the drain hose is still used for car without A/C or not but it shouldn't be leaking coolant there either way,
T
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bambino12
Novice
Mar 20, 2008, 5:29 PM
Post #8 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Hello Tom!!
I think you are rightm although my car lacks Air Conditioner system. In any casse I think you and Jim are right.
Will check the interior floor.
By the way, this morning I filled the deposit(recovery tank). Im not sure if radiator has any cap.
Well, I just filled deposit/recovery tank to the indicated level when cold.
Then I turned on the engine for about 5 minutes.
I looked at the floor, I noticed drops, continuos, not a line of fluid, just drops but very continuos, I would say about two drops per second.
It took me some time to identifie such elbow pipe that seems to go nowhere (as Jim said)
Will check the floor.
Many thanks!!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 20, 2008, 6:26 PM
Post #9 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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That elbow pipe is just a drain for moisture if what I'm thinking and shouldn't have coolant either way as said. If all you have is a pressure radiator (even if not on the radiator itself) cap on the tank you added to then that cap is the pressure cap - if you have to unscrew it, it is the pressure cap and you could leave it loose to stop the dripping or slow it down. That tank is not capable of filling the whole cooling system once the level you can't see is down and you said a light was on which is probably sensing liquid in an end tank of the radiator itself which should always be full even though you can't see it.
This needs to be looked at and almost certainly is needing a new heater core. They almost always drip into the car when they are the leak as you have noticed.
If you leave the pressure cap loose that's just a temporary way to slow down the loss of coolant - not a fix. Don't lose the cap either.
You would get some coolant into the radiator and hence engine by just filling that reservior and start engine for a while - like just enough to show the temp needle coming up and shut it off - just wait till it's cool and it probably has taken back some coolant from that tank. If so - do that a few times till "low coolant" light is out and your next trip should be short and to get this taken care of. Now is a good time to be thankful for not having A/C as that would make the job much more complicated and expensive.
Hey - if you are going to drive this at all like this pay sharp attention to the gauges. Run heater on full heat request and low fan and if that goes cool on you the coolant is low or boiling - odd but an overheating car doesn't heat the interior thru the heater! This is probably just in need of the heater core right now and if you pay strict attention and do not overheat the car it would really help limit any further problems from overheating.
Good luck with it,
T
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Lando10101
User
Mar 20, 2008, 9:15 PM
Post #10 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Regardless of anything the system will have to be opened find a good mechanic some of them heater cores require major teardown . Good Luck 
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bambino12
Novice
Mar 21, 2008, 9:37 AM
Post #11 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Tom and Lando,
Thanks again for all of your valuable help.
I keep note of your advice and it is amazing how much one can learn from this forum.
Tomorrow I will take it to my mechanic that is less than a mile away from home.
I pray this would not be an expensive repairment.
I will report any progress.
Thanks again!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 21, 2008, 1:23 PM
Post #12 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Thanks for letting us know. This car with no air conditioning should be MUCH easier to do what is usually a difficult job. I doubt it would be cheap but having to deal with A/C components can be more than half the work of replacing a heater core. Either way it's not really a good do it youself job unless you have some strong know how with these sorts of things - it's involved with assorted dash parts to get the case apart and or out to replace it,
T
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bambino12
Novice
Mar 22, 2008, 10:31 AM
Post #13 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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Hello Tom, Jim, etc..
This morning I just took the car to my usual mechanic.
He did exactly the same diagnostic as you. It is the heat core. He explained me that this much like a small radiator that works to heat the air for defroster.
He gave me the option of totally disconnect such damaged radiator, and do some sort of bypass to avoid it and have the cooling system working just fine, at the price of lacking defroster.
I decided to go the expensive way. He is charging me about $300 bucks for all the job, including a new heat core.
I sometimes doubt wether mechanics really install original brand new parts. I decided to trust him as he is giving me warranty.
Do you think I got a good deal? Was I fooled?
many thanks!!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 22, 2008, 11:04 AM
Post #14 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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That sounds great! You can bypass the heater in some circumstances as a temporary measure. It couldn't be something you could live without with any ice or defrosting need though - at least around here.
That's a nice price. Keep in mind that many cars that have A/C that must be emptied and refilled to do this job and that part alone would cost what your whole job is quoted for. Some of the cores can be fixed but most people today would replace them.
Good luck. All seems fair to me,
T
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Double J
Veteran
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Mar 22, 2008, 1:33 PM
Post #15 of 15
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Re: 2000/Chevrolet/Cavalier/Cooling Leakage
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I'm with Tom there....
Thats a super deal.....
Thanks for posting back.....
JIm
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