Pontiac Repair: heater core on a 1998 pontiac montana, head gasket repair, blown head gasket

Question
QUESTION: i was wondering where the heater cores loaction was under the hood on a 1998 pontiac montana.i am wanting to flush it, but not sure as to where the hoses to it are. any pictures available would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Hey Russell:

the heater core(S) are actually inside the van. the pipes for the hearer core front come out just to the left of the center of the van beween center and the brake master cylinder. you can take the hoses off at the rear of the engine back by the fire wall. If ths van has rear heat they tap int with t's right at the rear of the engine by the fire wall you can unclamp the rear hoses there as well and flush both of them out with a garden hose go both ways with the hose spary it into both hoses a few simes if the core is plugged up the back and forth motion from the hose pressure will usually free up and blockage that may be in there. good luck :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: alright this sounds like a dumb question but how do i unclamp the hose? it is a metal sort of clamp

ANSWER: they are spring clamps. squeeze the tabs together with a pair of pliers and slide it down the hose past where it it clamped onto the "T" or the pipe depending on where you are taking it off.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have anti freeze leaking out my muffler, I was told it might be a blown head gasket. So I flushed the radiator with Prestone radiator flush, as I was filling the radiator it was leaking out muffler. I bought K&W block seal head gasket repair. If I use this will it help or work? Will it just leak out the muffler? What is the best thing to do to get it fixed or lessen the problem without spending alot of money? I just wanna make the van last a little longer so I can find a new vehicle.

Answer
don 't bother using any of those magic potion sealers they cause more probelms then they fix. they plug up heater cores and other things. if coolant is leaking out the exhaust it's a BAD head gasket leak or cracked block or cracked block. It must have overheated really bad. if the coolant is comming out the exhaust it's getting into the crank case as well pull the engine il dip stick if the oil looks milky in color the engine is pretty much junk then. sorry to say but once the oil inter mixes with coolant it damages the bearings in the engine do not drive it at all abd either get it fixed right or get rid of the van as is running the engine/driving it will eventually seize up the engine coolant is NOT a good lubricant for the engine moving pieces soory to be the barer of bad news but if it's that bad a leak the engine is a goner.. good luck :)