Damn!

Is there any true way of knowing if the heater core is going bad?

I ask only because I seem to be loosing just a little bit of coolant and there are no spills on the ground nor are there coolant going in the oil or anything of that nature.

My only guess would be perhaps a heater core as I was told if the passenger side foot well is wet that's a great indication, however the foot well is completely dry.

I know when I was doing other things in the engine bay I saw a tube sticking out towards the bottom with nothing attached to it inside the passenger side firewall... is this a drainage for the heater core?

I don't think I smell coolant inside the cabin but how would I make sure? I do have a smell but it smells like stink bugs or I should say dead stink bugs, which I did find a lot behind the dash for some reason...

I would just hate to buy a $40 heater core and take it all apart to find out that mine is fine.... Do these rot out after a while?

Thanks,
-Nigel

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2001 Ranger XLT 2.3L Auto: Bunch of misc mods.
Little lift: 4" Spindle Lift w/ 2" shackles and 2" oem blocks.OEM Ranger Sport Wheels: Tires=245x75x16

~NSG~