Heater Core Hoses: Inlet x Outlet/Return

[celsoglima]

Does anybody know which one of the heater core hoses is the inlet hose and which is the outlet/return hose? I know one connects to the water pump and the other to the engine block near the thermostat.

[g_k50]

Heater return hose connects at the thermostat housing.

[g_k50]

Heater core inlet is outboard hose.

[celsoglima]

I am still confused about the names on those hoses from different sources. According to the instructions on Prestone's Flush and Fill kit

"2) Two heater hoses extend from the fire wall to the engine, in both front and rear wheel drive vehicles. Hose #1 runs from fire wall to water pump. Hose #2 runs from fire wall to top of engine. This is the heater inlet hose. Ask a qualified mechanic if uncertain."

The Haynes manual states that the return hose goes into the thermostat housing/engine and supply hose goes into the water pump.

If I am reading this right, supply [haynes] = outlet [prestone] and return [haynes] = inlet [prestone]. Is this correct? I would expect inlet = supply and outlet = return, but I may be wrong. It may be a case of semantics ... (LOL)

[wtroger]

The supply comes off the fitting near the Thermostat. The return goes to the water pump. They wouldn't run cool water out of the Pump to the heater core. The hottest water in the engine is at the thermostat housing.

[celsoglima]

That is what I thought as well, so I guess we could say it is misstated in the version of the Haynes book I have. Thanks,