The last few days I ahve noticed a large wet spot on the floor of the drivers side of my gsl-se. At first I thought it was just water leaking in becuase it had been raining hard the last few days... but tonight I touched the so called water and it has a slimy feel to it. Is this coolant? if so do i need to replace the heater core or is it most likely a hose?? any experience from others would be greatly appreciated becuase I just purchased this vehicle and have never replaced a heater core before. Also its not over heating... and im not getting much warm air into the cab.



thx
-Allen

 

Could be either the core or just a hose. I've never had to replace one myself, I've only removed them while building a race car.

 

Coolant does feel a bit slimy... Also has a sickly/sweet smell to it.

If it is coolant, as jgrewe said, either the core or the hoses.
The hoses aren't too bad to replace. You can do them from the engine bay.

If it's the heater core, you're in for a bit of work. It basically requires you to remove the front half of your interior to replace. Plan a full day fo the job, possibly 2 if you ruin into trouble.

 

if it has a sweet smell, it's coolant. could either be the core or hose. the only way to tell is to get up under there and look. i've never replaced a heater core in a 7, but have in other cars. either way, it's a pain in the ***. hope ur good at acrobatics.

 

is it possible to be a leaking brake master cylinder?
the heater core should not be over the drivers footwell.
at least, as much as i recall from removing mine it was in the passenger side.
check your brake fluid level.

 

Clutch fluid ... the entire drivers side floor of my 84 was soaked. That is some nasty smelling ****.

 

Well I havent yet checked my coolant levels.. i will do that today. I doubt it is clutch fluid/brake fluid.. it doesnt smell and appears to be a clear color.

 

also check underneath you car to see if you are missing any rubber gromets

 

I had that problem with my 85GSL and it went away when I replaced the clutch master/slave and the brake master.

B

 

Thx for all the replys everyone.

I took a look under the dash to discover that it is the core heater valve.

 

Keep us informed about the repair to the valve: others may have to do it, too.

B

 

Yup, it almost certainly the valve that controls the temperature. I saw a thread with pics somewhere on the forum one time.

In the meantime, so you can still drive the car, you could disconnect the outgoing heater hose from the core, and connect that end to the inlet on the block, thereby bypassing the heater core. At least it will keep you mobile in the meantime. Done this trick on more than one car in the past.

Also search the archives for the thread on removing your dash- you're going to need it unless you can get just the valve alone.

 

if you think its water...

1.) have you had your windshield recently replaced? If so, this could be your problem.

2.) open your sunroof, get a cup or bottle of water, and run some water into the sunroof drains to see if they are draining, it wont take a lot, so dont go nuts with it. Also, make sure that you dont get water in the sunroof tracks, just in the retainer drain area only. If you get it in the track, it will leak inside.

3.) Does your car still have the A/C equipped, and if so, have you been using it? Run the A/C and see if it is draining onto the ground as well. If its not, pull back your carpet and see if your drain hose is run correctly, or if its wet around your A/C box to firewall area. You may need to seal around the area with strip caulk, smooth it with prep solvent using a latex glove, from under the hood or under the car, NOT inside. (I a not familiar with how its setup on Rex's, I dont really any with water leaks)

~Chris