[s-cars] coolant leaking onto floor

[Wayne Dohnal]

>where is the valve that controls the coolant flow through the heater core 
>located, could this be the source of the leak?

I've had three coolant leaks which were all difficult (for me) to trace back 
to their source.  One was the valve you are asking about.  Just pull the 
plastic shroud in front of the windshield, and the valve is right there on 
the driver's side of the heater box.  It eventually wears and starts 
dripping.  Easy to replace, just be gentle on the heater core connections. 
While you're there, another leak source is at the attachment of the hoses to 
this valve, and the other nearby hose attachments.  Just snugging up the 
clamps fixed this one.  I also had the leak arounf the expansion tank 
nipple, and was totally sure that wasn't the problem for months.  The 
coolant has a way of running down the hoses and evaporating, leaving no 
trail to the original source.  But this one shouldn't make it into the 
interior.

If you are not 100% absolutely sure that what you found on the floor is 
coolant, check your front cowling drain.  It's on the passenger side of the 
heater box in the metal panel on the bottom.  It's kind of hard to locate 
the first time.  When this plugs, water accumulates in the cowling and can 
reappear almost anywhere inside the car.  I also recently had to unplug my 
evaporator drain, are real pain of a job.  This probably isn't your problem 
because it causes a drip on the passenger side.

Wayne Dohnal
1994 S4 



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