found the leak, its dripping about a quart every couple hours. the leak is in the lower of the 2 heater hoses (that come off the block and go through the firewall). not the one with the screwcap in the middle.

 

what I am wondering is: can I just replace the hose and try to catch the fluid as it drains from the block and heater core (guessing this will be a mess), or do I need to drain the whole system.  I am not lazy, it is just really cold out, and I do not have a shop or garage so will be laying on a mat underneath the car, and am also concerned that if I flush it, I risk creating more problems - it is 30 years old. and this is my first time dealing with this part of the car - be nice if it didn't take all day.

 

one other question: when I start the car, I can hear what sounds like ice cubes clicking around under the dash. I was thinking that I had ice moving around in there because my mix was off, but now am wondering if it is a pile of metal flakes. any help is greatly appreciated. thanks!

Edited January 2, 201610 yr by ajp

Meh, just unscrew the radiator drain plug and drain it. Will still be messy, just less so. Don't need to lay on the ground, you can reach it from the top. I would suggest replacing all the hoses. Did mine recently. I think you are hearing air in the system if you are losing and replacing coolant. Easy fix once you get your hose/hoses replaced.

Oh, a razor knife will be very handy as those hoses will be practically fused to their connection.

Be careful removing from the heater core end.  I'm not 100% sure about older than 86, but the tubes on those are fairly easy to crush.  Better to just cut off the hose with a sharp knife.  Don't score the tube, though. 

 

I might not bother draining the system in those conditions. 

 

I've found using a little plumber's silicon grease on the fittings when you put on the new hoses makes them removable.

air makes sense. 

how much fluid does the system take? more than a gallon?

and many thanks for the quick replies!

I am thinking I'll just sit ready with a few corks.

Since you wont be fully draining it, 1 to 1.5 gal. should do the trick.

appreciate it!

Seeing you are in Colorado, pop rad cap, go ahead and warm up your engine a bit so you don't lose any fingers to frost bite!

Edited January 2, 201610 yr by jonas

oops, I need to update that. I am in Salem, OR

Update: it took me 2+ hours to get the 2 hoses off and replace them. what a nightmare.  In the process, I needed to remove a plastic connecting hose from just above where the 2 heater hoses attach to the block.  that connecting hose went from a suction fitting att he top of the case (between case and carb) to another splitter that connects to 1) valve cover, and 2) air filter (and some other little hose as well).  this piece snapped in half.  I think* what it connects to on the block is called a pcv valve.

when I start the engine, their is suction on it.

question is,  what do I call that connecting hose part? if I drive to the junkyard (1 hour) with that hose missing, is it going to do damage, or just make it burn a little less clean?  brittle, that old plastic.

its an EA-81

Edited January 3, 201610 yr by ajp

If you have a hose / port, etc. sucking air, cap it off somehow.  Then no worry of dirt getting sucked into the engine.  Anything is better than nothing.

copy that. thanks!

It is simply called a PCV connector.

Looks to be still available new.

http://www.cheapestfactoryparts.com/oe-subaru/427337050

 

I would cap all the open hoses before driving.