My radiator started leaking and my mechanic said that he replaced the heater coil. What is a heater coil and would it cause my radiator to leak?

If your 1998 Cutlass is overheating and the heater is blowing out cold air, and you are also noticing that coolant is leaking out, there are a few possible causes. Here are some things to check:

Check for a coolant leak: Start by checking the engine and radiator for any visible signs of a coolant leak. It's possible that a hose or other part of the cooling system may be damaged or loose, causing coolant to leak out.

Check the radiator: If the radiator is not working properly, it can cause the engine to overheat. Check to make sure the radiator is not clogged or damaged.

Check the water pump: The water pump circulates the coolant through the engine. If it's not working properly, coolant may not be flowing through the system correctly, causing the engine to overheat.

Check the cooling fan: The cooling fan helps to keep the engine cool by pulling air through the radiator. If it's not working properly, the engine may overheat.

Check the thermostat: Even though you recently replaced the thermostat, it's possible that it's not working correctly. A faulty thermostat can cause the engine to overheat.

It's important to address any issues with the cooling system as soon as possible, as overheating can cause serious damage to the engine. If you are not comfortable diagnosing and repairing the issue yourself, it's recommended to take your car to a qualified mechanic.

Hi Dianne,
Stop leak and other "mechanic in a can" solutions really cause more issues than they solve.

It is important to correctly fix a cooling system leak, as the system needs to be able to hold 12 to 15 pounds of pressure to work correctly.

What you do is pressurize the cooling system and start looking.

You need to watch your temperature gauge for clues. For example, a thermostat issue can cause what you describe. Boilovers push coolant out...

But start at a pressure test. IF your system has been compromised for a while, it is not unusual to find more than one leak before you're done. Keep after it. you do not want to overheat the engine. That is extremely expensive to fix.

Doc

look for a leak from the drain hole under the pump housing, if no leak not a water pump
take the car to a radiator specialist shop and have a coolant pressure test done to determine where the leak is
if it has plastic tanks for the radiator , they split with time and leak under pressure and a pressure test will reveal exactly where the leak is unlike a guess

Sometimes, not the heater coil...this leak usually smells inside the cabin...can you see anti-freeze build up anywhere? These motors are more prone to a water pump leak (needs replaced, inexpensive and not to difficult) or the intake manifold gasket...more costly about $400. for a mechanic to do...you should see some anti-freeze build up around the intake bolts...this assumes that there is no water in your oil...which is far more costly as this indicates an internal cylinder head leak...Could be just a hose leak...a bad radiator cap...or thermostat housing leak, (maybe a cracked housing? Help me help you...do you see any anti-freeze build up anywhere? Hope this helps.

Happened on my 05 Jeep. Had antifreeze leaking into the interior. Brought it into the mechanic and there was a spot on the piping (i guess that's what it would be called) that was rusted causing it to leak. It's all one piece so the whole heater coil had to be replaced. Unfortunatley, not cheap. Cost me about a grand. (I'm trading in my Jeep) If you knew how to replace the heater coil yourself, I'm sure it'd be cheaper but from what the mechanic told me, it's a common problem with Chrysler's vehicles. That along with the rear differntial breaking, which was another grand I put into my Jeep.

If your heater core is leaking that it a good sign that it is your problem. When the heater core gets plugged up it has a tenancy to leak. The water can not flow through freely and causes it to leak.

CHECK AROUND WATER PUMP AREA.AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING FOR LEAKS.THE MECHANIC WHO PUT THE WATER PUMP ON MAY FORGOT TO PUT SEALANT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER PUMP GASKET CAUSING LEAKS.LOOK AROUND THERMOSTAT HOUSING FOR LEAKING.IF THERMOSTAT SEAL WAS DAMAGE DURING INSTALLATION IT WILL CAUSE LEAKING.IF ALL LOOKS GOOD CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAKS AROUND RADIATOR .CHECK RADIATOR TOP AND BOTTOM HOSES FOR LEAKS AND CHECK HEATER PIPES AND HEATER CORES HOSES FOR LEAKS.IF ALL HOSES GOOD.CHECK FOR LEAKING CORE PLUGS.

Where is it leaking from? The radiator its self, the heater core found under the dash, or some where in between? Look for pools of coolant under the front floor mats, If you find it there, then the heater core needs to be replaced. Next time it happens, Pull over immediately and look under the car to see where it is leaking, (look from more than one angle). Or park it over some clean cardboard, where ever the stains are, will give you a clue of where to look for the problem. And most easy, Bring it back to the mechanic who installed the new radiator., Most legitimate mechanics warrant their work and yours may be responsible in some way, or at least be familiar with your particular Caravan.
The solution is to locate and fix the leak, but also perform a thouro cooling system flush. The system bay have serious dirt, clay, or corrosion that is causing issues with proper flow and pressure, thus causing leaks.
And Always Pull Over when it begins to OverHeat! Heat damage to an engine can spell Death to any Car, even Caravans. Good Luck.

a leaking heater core in the dash . does it smell sweet if it does it's antifreeze and steam that's sticky on the window is antifreeze mist coming from the fan blower / your heater core has sprung a leak im sorry to say.

It is very possible that your heater CORE is bad. You will smell a sweet odor of antifreeze inside your vehicle if it is leaking, and possibly feel for a wet spot on the floor boards. Need to replace heater core.