Need help figuring what is going on

[Baby is her name]

Ok Since I got my car back from the mechanic that wanted to buy my car. I have noticed different things. First he took off little things like oh the spark plug wire holder and a few hoses were loosened. I didn't check some of the hoses at the time and well could have had a big problem on my hands went with my husband he drove my car and the transmission return hose came loose. Found and fixed after loosing almost all the fluid Transmission is fine put the hose back and got fluid in again. Just had a new problem arise since the transmission issue.

Now Steam is coming into the cab of the car through the vents only when the a/c is not on.
Nope she isn't overheating but loosing a little coolant not a lot but I am not driving but 1/2 a mile at most. or just starting up the car to see where the drip is coming from. While running no drips once the engine is turned off well it then drips no more than 1/4 oz on the passenger side.

[Blownville]

In my experience steam coming in the vents would indicate a seeping or leaking heater core. As far as the drips on the passenger side. Where on the passenger side is it dripping? If it is by the radiator then check the hoses going to it and inspect the side tank of the radiator as it is plastic. If it is dripping by the firewall you want to check exactly where it is coming from. Sometimes the heater core will leak out a seep hole on the firewall instead of into the cabin on the floor like the old days.

[Baby is her name]

Ok I checked and the dripping on the passenger side is not there. However the steam coming in thru the the vents is there. The steam doesn't come in when the ac is on however. The Radiator still has fluid in it up into the neck. The overflow is empty though. The drip was on the passenger side about where the harmonic balancer is only it is about 3 inches inwards towards the engine.

[Blownville]

Have the intake gaskets ever been changed on this motor? It sounds like it could be a leaking upper or lower intake gasket. As for the steam there is a door that redirects the air coming into the cabin when the AC is on through the evaporator. When the AC is off the air runs through the heater core area.

[93RedSled-SSE]

A couple of common sources for leaks on the pulley side of the engine is

• 1. The Water Pump (weep hole drips when bearing is worn and seal leaks)
  2. Bypass tube (elbow) that runs from that end of the intake manifold.

x2 on the heater core leaking.

[lash]

Agreed! It sounds like you have at least two different issues going on.

BTW, this "mechanic" doesn't sound like someone I would take my car back to if I were in your shoes. My opinion.

[Baby is her name]

Replaced about a month ago....
1. Upper Intake Manifold and gasket
2. Water pump and gasket (did it since we had it off)
3. Timing assembly (if it has a gasket it got changed too dad did this one)
4. Thermostat and gasket (just wanted a new one since the other was original)

The oil is not milky. She runs great no noises no lack of power. Now I can smell the antifreeze in the steam. She doesn't get hot. by that I am saying she doesn't get over 210.

I am coming to you guys because my dad is out of state and well my husband (always jumps to new engine or computer went out he is the worst case guy)
I know it isn't the computer or she would do nothing. The engine only uses a little oil by that about 1 qt to every 1000 miles and most of that is I have to change the oil pan gasket needs changing I will be changing that with my dad when he comes back (father daughter quality time lol) If I can fix it and all it is the heater coil then how long to change it and what tools do I need??

[93RedSled-SSE]

The "elbow" I talked about goes to the lower intake manifold. You can see an example of its location (2 circles) in the picture below, just above the water pump and pulley.


According to all-data, the removal procedure for the heater core is:

• TOOL REQUIRED
  J 37097 Mubea Hose Clamp Pliers (or equivalent)
  
  REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
  
  1. Drain cooling system.
  2. Heater hoses from heater core, using J 37097.
  3. Air mix valve actuator.
  4. Retaining screws and heater core cover.
  5. Retaining screws and heater core from vehicle

For easier access, it is advisable to remove the passenger seat for a better working position.