Heater core failure, 2015 DE with 33k miles (Update: fixed under warranty)

[ISP_guy]

Hey folks! Long time no chat. I picked up a new job so my forum lurking time went ka-splat!

Just wanted to let ya'll know I have a heater core failure on my 2015 DE at 33k miles. Coolant leaking on my passenger floor mat and car smells like hot syrup.

I see a few other owners with the same problem. Hopefully not a bad sign and just some bad luck.

I'll be in contact with the dealer shortly and request some warranty work.

Will update this post as things progress...

[inuvik]

Silly question but are you sure it’s coolant and not the condenser drain line for the AC? 2014 & 2015’s didn’t have a clamp on the drain from the condenser and it’s fairly easy for a passenger to knock it off with their feet and then it leaks all over the passenger floor. 2017’s up put a clamp on it.

[ISP_guy]

I will double check that. Normally I only ride solo, but coincidence that my son was riding with me the day before I noticed this problem.

[ISP_guy]

Unfortunately the leak looks like its coming from up inside the heater core area. No unplugged hoses that I could see

[Cobrajet]

"Syrup smell" in the car is usually a dead giveaway for a heater core leak. My AC drain line came loose over the summer. Dumped some water onto the passenger side Weathertech, but didn't smell.

[Top_Fuel]

I'll be in contact with the dealer shortly and request some warranty work.

Keep us posted. My 2015 heater core doesn't leak, but it is showing signs of unbalanced temperature output from the passenger and driver's side vents. I'm waiting for Doax to confirm in his own testing.

[ISP_guy]

I scheduled an appointment with the dealership today. They verified the heater core had failed although did not say specifically what/how. To my surprise they had me in and out in under 3 hours, including the airbag flash recall I missed. All under warranty thank goodness.

I'm extremely impressed with our Mitsubishi dealership (Interstate Mitsubishi in Erie PA). Those guys never fail to impress.

[Top_Fuel]

They verified the heater core had failed
...they had me in and out in under 3 hours

They installed a new heater core in your car in less than 3 hours?!?

[Mark]

They installed a new heater core in your car in less than 3 hours?!?

They may be really good at what they do! If they were dishonest, they could probably do it in under an hour. Just say it was done & make a warranty claim on it.

Obviously, they fixed the problem. Some dealerships are way better than others! Good & bad reputations are usually earned.

[Cobrajet]

They installed a new heater core in your car in less than 3 hours?!?

I replaced the dashboard in my 1997 Metro in about two and a half hours. Metros from 1995-1997 had dashboards that were made of improperly manufactured recycled plastic, and with exposure to the sun they essentially turn to dust and begin 'tiger-striping'. The dashboards are all the same from 1995-2001, but they fixed the issue in 1998. Find a '98+ dash, and swap it in.



A while later I had to replace the heater core in my girlfriend's Metro, and it only took about half the time because I had done it before. Point is, I am sure the service techs at this dealership have pulling the dash on a Mirage down to a science. And I am sure it isn't much more difficult to do than the dash on a Metro.