How can you tell if there's a leak in your heater core?

Question

I'm hearing this weird sound every once in a while that sounds like rushing water and I want to make sure my heater core isn't to blame!

It's a 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 2.2L H4.

Answer 1

I had an 86 F-150, and when my heater core went my windows fogged up inside with a film of coolant. My heater core is also on the inside of my truck

Answer 2

th einside of the cars floor wil be wet or you will smell it inside the car... you hear bubbling your car is about hot or is hot so check the coolant woul dbe a good thing dont check the jug but check the radiator and fil it there and then feel the jug after

Answer 3

If liquid comes out of it, and you didn't do it on purpose, there's a good chance that it's leaking.

Answer 4

feel the carpet on the passenger side of the car, all the way to the firewall if it is wet, you leaking antifreeze. if not watch the pavement where you park, if you see wet spots, try to see where it is coming from.

Answer 5

they usually leak on the floor when they start to leak.

Answer 6

1, -- you will need to add water to reserve reservoir all the time,- the worse the leak,- the faster the water will disappear!  #2 you should smell a "sweetish" smell inside car,- especially when car has gotten to "full operating temp." This is because more vapor will rise within the heater plenum. It may or may not leak into carpet, - it is supposed to run out drain lines put there to let condensation from a/c evaporator run out on ground! -- If it does, it also could mean these drains need cleaned out too! #3,  When you turn on defroster to remove condensation (fog) on glass, - it gets worse instead of better (also with plugged drains)-- #4 Check "water" underneath car when it is parked, -- if it has a "sweetish but brackish taste",- usually greenish or yellowish,- it is antifreeze--- just pick up a very small amount on pinky,-and touch tip of tongue---- this is not enough to hurt you .. don't "eat' very  much (like a tsp. full or so, - it will make you very sick, and possibly kill you!  The "tasting" I have done over 55 years now and I'm not dead yet! Guaranted,-- you won't like taste either, -- I usually wipe my tongue on sleeve to get taste off as much as possible!

Now about the noise, check your water level, and check your pressure cap, -- it could be slightly low in cooling system and  bubbles pass through heater core-- making noises!  Pressure cap is supposed to let expansion water out to reserve, then pull back enough to fill radiator all the way when it cools off, -  if it is not sealing, - or holding pressure it is not doing this- allowing water level to drop progressively according to any minor water loss probelms you might have!  It also does same thing if no water in  reserve to pull back in when it cools off!

You did not specify if it was with engine on or off, and wheter a/c was opearting!  When shut off, a/c referigerant makes some noises as the pressures inside equalize-- when it stops running!