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Tom97
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2005
09:58:16
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 Subject: !HELP! Coolant leak inside my truck...
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Message:
I've got coolant leaking inside my truck(1997 v6). It's mostly coming out of the floor duct on the passengers side and a little bit on the drivers side. What's up with this? Could it be a leak in the heating box? I figured an easy fix would be to connect the in and out hoses for the heater together and just get rid of my heater since I live in Florida. What are my other options? It sounds like it'd be a pain in the ass to rip my dash out to work on it so I'd just pay to get it done. Any estimates on the cost? Is this a common problem? Also my engine temp guage has always read 210 since I bough the truck used, which seems a little high. Should I change the thermostat? If so, what temp thermostat is best? Thanks.
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New Owner
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2005
10:33:20
| RE: !HELP! Coolant leak inside my truck...
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Message:
Sounds like the heater core went bad
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bykerdude59
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2005
12:02:45
| RE: !HELP! Coolant leak inside my truck...
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Message:
Yes it is your heater core...or some o-ring on it. Replacing it is pain in the butt I hear. I just had mine quoted to replace and it would be about 500 labor plus parts. The bypass you are talking about will solve the leaking in the cab problem...but no heater like you mentioned.
As far as your temp guage...the stock t-stat is rated at 195 I believe. As long as your truck isn't going any higher than 3/4 the scale on the gauge it should be fine. You could change your thermostat to a 180. This is what most people do. Don't go down to a 160 though. Also check to make sure your fluids are in proper proportion half water (or substitute and half coolant). Check out your radiator cap...if it doesn't have a proper seal the cooling system won't operate as it is designed to. Other than that you should be good to go. As long as your truck isn't overheating the "problem" can't be major. Try the t-stat and check the radiator cap. Good luck and welcome to the pissed off at heater core club.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2005
12:27:58
| RE: !HELP! Coolant leak inside my truck...
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Message:
It's a relatively easy job to do, just alot of steps and is very tedious. Cost is around 500-600 for heater core or evaporator core. If you have the time, well worth the experience ;)
replace hoses and t-stat while you are at it and have the coolant drained. go with 180 degree one.
you can run without heater core inline, in fact there's a few guys here who do that during summer to reduce in-cab heat. just connect to hoses together in engine compartment.
haynes has info on it and so does alldatadiy.com
- Dan M
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