Chevrolet Repair: Coolant on the Floor, chevy s10, heater hoses

Question
Hi Van,

 I have a '91 Chevy S10 and it is leaking coolant from the heater vent under the dash.  It started out as a few drops, but has become a real problem.  I never see as much as a trickle, but now have a small lake on the floor of the passenger side.  What does this sound like to you?  I am constantly having to replace the coolant.  Help.

Thanks,
Garth

Answer
Hi Garth,
Sounds like the heater core has a leak.
Replacement requires removal of the dash on that model if I am not mistaken.

If you want out cheap, and are intending to trade within the year, you can remove the heater hoses, and route one from the supply port on the engine, to the return port on the radiator, totally bypassing the heater core.

Will actually make the A/C work better this summer, but no heater next year, till the core is replaced.

If you can get along without heat for now, I would certainly put it off till late summer, at least.

Van