Heater Core leak an A/C

[Olered]

I think I have a heater core leak as I have the typical wet pass side floor. I've checked all of the drains and typical stuff. I know that I shouldn't have a problem if I maintain and watch the coolant levels. Since it's getting hotter, can the A/C be used without some type of big-time failure (i.e. exploding and spraying the wife and passenger compartment with coolant)?? I don't use the heat in the winter so I haven't seen the issues of trying the system period. I'm just trying to get a handle on how the core works and what can be affected by it.

Thanks.

 

[byronAU]

I think I have a heater core leak as I have the typical wet pass side floor. I've checked all of the drains and typical stuff. I know that I shouldn't have a problem if I maintain and watch the coolant levels. Since it's getting hotter, can the A/C be used without some type of big-time failure (i.e. exploding and spraying the wife and passenger compartment with coolant)?? I don't use the heat in the winter so I haven't seen the issues of trying the system period. I'm just trying to get a handle on how the core works and what can be affected by it.

Thanks.

Can you smell that distinctive coolant smell?

 

[BaldEagle]

first be sure it is coolant and not just a stopped up drain pan. pure water is probably just the drain pan from the ac. either green or orange fluid is coolant (depends on what model, you didnt say). it sounds like a drain pan to me. if its the core, the ac wont effect it. but i'd still get it fixed before it really goes.

edit: i missed where it says 97 dI, my bad.

 

[Quentin]

Had the same issue with mine, but it blew up . Here is South Africa it doesn't get that cold, so I just by-passed it with a short length of hose. It is an absolutr pain to replace if you want your heater. You end up just about removing the entire dash.

 

[Olered]

No coolant smell but my nose isn't the best. I have the gurgling dash issue as well. The system has been burped and burped. It's only on the pass side. I was just trying to clarify if using the A/C would cause the failure. Thanks.