Coolant Leak on Ground - Passenger side (Page 2/4)
Patrick AUG 31, 11:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by Brent7088:

Yea, not sure if that's runoff from the initial coolant leak or what, but it's not gas.



Not suggesting it is, but make sure it's not brake fluid.
Brent7088 AUG 31, 11:37 PM
That's exactly what I was wondering too, before I caught a puddle of drips earlier today... took a close look and confirmed it is coolant -- same yellow OAT coolant I just added a few weeks ago.
theogre SEP 01, 10:59 AM
Later versions splice heater into right rear main pipe. Not sure 86 has this.
Uses Short Standard heater hose w/ 2 "AC" aluminum crimp and crimp gets "rust" and fails and leak some or a lot.

Get new hose and clamp w/ normal clamps. All stainless is best because when they are.
Put clamps on so nothing below the pipe. Anything below is a snag target and snags can make a clamp to fail.

V6 have heater out pass thru near that area too.
Is a "plug" that leaks there.
See my Cave, Heater

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

theogre SEP 01, 11:13 AM
Switching Coolant types is often iffy to bad.
Example: Many switched from "standard Green" to DEXCOOL thinking get more life. Wrong. DEXCOOL and some others have a best 3-5 years in cars build w/ Green coolant. And DEXCOOL had other problems even for cars had it as OE.

And if you fill a flush system w/ 50/50 mix, now car has Weak coolant because car had Water trapped inside.
See my Cave, Coolant Fill
Brent7088 SEP 01, 02:14 PM
I took a closer look in the passenger side under the dash, and to my dismay I did find 2 areas where it is slooowly leaking in - which tells me it is leaking through the floor onto the ground as well (real nice).

Does anyone know which parts store has a 100% exact fit for the 86 GT? I kept reading about some are too short or had to fill in all around with foam -- just preferred to avoid those if possible.

Also copper or aluminum? Or a mix of both? Looks like the Fiero store's cores are copper for the most part but can't tell for sure from their image.

Thank you
theogre SEP 01, 04:37 PM
Brass/copper heater cores are made of stamp sheets and soldered.
You likely see the solder in/on the "tubes."
Go to AZ AdvanceAuto etc to see larger pictures. Likely get them locally so no ship charge and often get lower price. Or buy online get lower price and no ship charge and return to local store if damage, warranty, etc.
Brent7088 SEP 01, 05:48 PM
Thanks for the advice ogre. I read the ones from Rockauto and others didn't quite fit for some reason. I guess it's just the luck of the draw when ordering from different vendors so I may have to try out a few different ones before I land the right one.
Patrick SEP 01, 08:46 PM

The fact that a lot of the newer heater cores aren't quite as big (by about a quarter inch) as the original really doesn't make any significant difference in either the installation or performance. A tiny fraction of the air being blown through the heater box will go around (rather than through) the heater core. You'll never notice the difference.

Just make sure to get the applicable heater core for an A/C or non-A/C equipped Fiero.
Brent7088 SEP 01, 09:23 PM
Thanks Patrick.. in the event I get a heater core that's smaller than the OE, would I have to fill the extra space in with anything?

Also I either read or saw in a video how copper cores are better than aluminum. Does it really matter which one I get? Can you recommend one or the other, or a certain brand?
cvxjet SEP 01, 09:43 PM
I just checked and O'Reilly auto parts has them for a decent price...Make sure you order the one for your setup; With or Without A/C.....

The Fiero store has them also and they may FIT better...But they are a little more money....I would support the Fiero store but I have a stable income (But an unstable mind)

Changing the Core on my non-A/C Fiero was easy- don't know about the A/C Fieros....