My car leaks a lot of antifreeze onto the ground directly below my firewall. There is no leakage into the interior, but the smell of antifreeze is strong when i turn on the vents. It sounds like a heater core to me, except for the fact that it leaks on the outside. Any suggestions???
You are quite lucky. What's happening is that the heater core is leaking, but the coolant is falling into the evaporator drain pan and going out the drain tube, (just like the water condensate from the AC does). GW
There is a drain. Without the drain the car would fill up with water from the evaporator. It's probable that the heater core is shot. But it could also be the hose connections just outside and up against the firewall. Sometimes a hose leak there will force antifreeze past the foam seal and into the core area. If it's the core, make sure a copper one is installed. An aluminum one will rot out again.
Both good information. Before changing the heater core though you might try a fix to be sure it is the core. Remove the heater hoses and check them for hardness. trim an inch from the end of each and reinstall them with new clamps. I've seen that fix the issue you describe before. Even if it doesn't, you'll only be out a little time and effort.
I would first check the drain pipe. I swear I had antifreeze in my water on passenger floor. But I checked the pipe and it was clogged with leaves. Cleaned it and problem went away.
Open you hood and look at the firewall directly in front of the front passenger compartment. You'll see a small hose with a 90 degree bend pointing downward. Check hose.
Good luck.
Craig
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