RE: Interim Report - 86 4000KS

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

> Smell of coolant when heat is on. Suspect heater core, but no leaks found
> and
> no steamy windows. Any ideas?
> 
... given the fact that you just had the clutch done I would suspect a leak
in one of the hoses that go to the heater from the back of the engine.  On
my 4kSQ the hose that comes off the back of the block had a pinhole that
would leak only under pressure ... the stream hit the exhaust system, so it
was not puddling underneath.  That thing took a week or two of driving to
find!  

My car now has new hoses throughout (even that little piece of hose that
comes from the thremostat to the line that connects to the heater).  Let me
tell you that if you have a car with A/C it is impossible to get at the
heater core without removing the console!  While it may be true that since
the hose is going bad at one end the whole thing should be replaced, given
the fact that the part inside the car is such a PITA to get at you may want
to consider cutting the hose near the firewall and replacing only the
section under the hood.  I did this on the QTC by using one of those
fittings provided in a "flush-n-fill" kit many years ago and have not had a
problem with the hose since ...

BTW, I recommend getting one of those "flush-n-fill" kits even if you don't
plan to install them.  Thos in-line fittings come in handy when something
like a heater valve or aux coolant pump breaks and they provide a number of
fittings for different diameter hoses ...

I hope this helps you find your problem!

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)