Possible Heater Core issue?

[Ducati1098]

First off, the heater core wouldn’t have water running through it in the AC mode. Secondly, if the heater core is leaking you will have a puddle either in the footwell on the passenger side or on the ground under the vehicle.

There’s coolant in the heater core at all times. Also I’ve seen plenty of heater core leaks that aren’t severe enough to leak onto the floor, yet will still fog the inside of the windshield.

But either way, until it’s properly diagnosed I agree that it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a heater core leak.

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[FTBronco9]

There’s coolant in the heater core at all times. Also I’ve seen plenty of heater core leaks that aren’t severe enough to leak onto the floor, yet will still fog the inside of the windshield.

But either way, until it’s properly diagnosed I agree that it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a heater core leak.

What are the alternative issues if it’s not the heater core leak?

 

[Ducati1098]

What are the alternative issues if it’s not the heater core leak?

I mean that's difficult to say without actually seeing/smelling it in person.
All of the other ideas that @MayhemMike listed are certainly a possibility
But it's all just speculation without a proper diagnosis.

 

[Patrickgault]

I think that it's entirely normal. I'd monitor for a bit before reacting.

 

[FTBronco9]

I think that it's entirely normal. I'd monitor for a bit before reacting.

What’s normal?

 

[MayhemMike]

There’s coolant in the heater core at all times. Also I’ve seen plenty of heater core leaks that aren’t severe enough to leak onto the floor, yet will still fog the inside of the windshield.

But either way, until it’s properly diagnosed I agree that it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a heater core leak.

True, I should have specified “ coolant not flowing through the heater coil when in AC mode”.

 

[JeffL]

I think that it's entirely normal. I'd monitor for a bit before reacting.

i would agree. depending on humidity and other environmental factors i've seen vapor / mist or whatever come out my vents a number of times. this also happens on airplanes a lot

just monitor the coolant levels for a little while and take it from there. if you go to a dealer and say my heater core is leaking while out of warranty they'll change it and charge you thousands of $$.

 

[CalvinT]

Many newer cars always have coolant flowing through the heater core. They use air dampers to keep the passengers cool. It's one way to quickly defog a windshield in winter. Older cars would shut off coolant flow.

 

[FTBronco9]

Updated first post

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