# Heater Core Leaking **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mustang, ford\ **Created:** [March 12, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535 "2011-03-12T21:46:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AndyB1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac8455/32.png) [@AndyB1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AndyB1)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/1 "2011-03-12T21:46:41Z")
I have a 89 ford mustang with 4 cylinder. After being stored for the winter I noticed anti-freeze leaking from drain tube below heater core (small amount). I am not looking forward to replacing the heater core in this car! Does anyone know if there is a reason this happened after the car sitting in storage all winter??? or just a coincidence?? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/2 "2011-03-12T22:02:26Z")
Before commenting on cause I ask that you confirm your diagnosis with a cooling system pressure check. My policy is to look at all conclusions the public has come to concerning their cars with a "show me’ attitude. Better men than you and me have made an incorrect diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![AndyB1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac8455/32.png) [@AndyB1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AndyB1)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/3 "2011-03-12T22:16:14Z")
good point. ---
**Author:** ![TXdealer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@TXdealer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TXdealer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/4 "2011-03-13T03:30:50Z")
Do you always store it for the winter? You can bypass the heater core if you don’t need the heater. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 6:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/5 "2011-03-13T06:30:48Z")
If the core is really leaking then I’d say that it’s because of 23 years of age and it’s had a good lifespan. Rot happens. ---
**Author:** ![AndyB1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac8455/32.png) [@AndyB1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AndyB1)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/6 "2011-03-13T12:23:25Z")
Perhaps because the car sits in storage for 6 months a year and the antifreeze just settles in the core and thus finally rotted it out??? ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 12:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/7 "2011-03-13T12:49:58Z")
What was the coldest temperature the car was exposed to? What temp is your anti-freeze good for? Maybe it froze and expanded. ---
**Author:** ![AndyB1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac8455/32.png) [@AndyB1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AndyB1)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heater-core-leaking/62535/8 "2011-03-13T12:57:00Z")
I will check the antifreeze concentration but I don’t think that is it. The car was in a somewhat heated garage all winter and there were no other leaks due to frezing, but I will check the concentration level of the a/f