Heater core

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Dec 16, 2010 | 10:58 AM

jmikeyj4

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From: Akron,ny

Heater core

hey is there anyway to clean out my heater core i heard you can put radiator cleaner down the hose lines???? any one know of anything else or try this???

Dec 16, 2010 | 11:16 AM

Justin's Green Truck

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Yea you can do that. You can also back flush the lines. There are kits out there that hook up to a water hose I think. I just run that radiator cleaner or white vinegar through mine occasionally and keep flushing it with water untill its clean

Dec 16, 2010 | 11:21 AM

jmikeyj4

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From: Akron,ny

what is cleaning it out suppose to do

Dec 16, 2010 | 12:43 PM

Justin's Green Truck

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Over time, heat exchangers like radiators and heater cores get clogged up with deposits and keep the coolant from circulating through them as they should. Thats one of the main reasons for regularly flushing and replacing the coolant in a vehicle. When the heater core gets clogged, the fan will still be blowing air across it as before, but theres not as much heat there for it to pick up and send out to the cabin.
Cleaning out those passages in the heater core lets the hot coolant get back into them.

Dec 16, 2010 | 12:49 PM

Vaokie1

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I would recommend using a rag or something else to filter the back flush, you never know what you may find.

Dec 16, 2010 | 08:19 PM

Adams77

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From: Statham Ga

Heater cores are cheap, usually less than $40 and unless you know it has been replaced, better off putting a new one in.

The last one I flushed left puddles.

Dec 16, 2010 | 10:24 PM

Edgethis

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2009

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From: Tobyhanma, PA

I just replaced mine and it only cost $12 to buy one at a local parts store.

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Dec 17, 2010 | 01:11 AM

tbear853

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From: The Shenandoah Valley

If you back flush with a hose, keep in mind that a trucks cooling system operates 14-18 psi, my well pump is set 40-60 psi and many are higher and many municipalities have 80 psi.

One thing to run water through it but if you force it with high water pressure and there's restriction, you can open it up.

A safer way might be to pull the hoses at the firewall, drop the return, move feed to outlet and let the truck motor push the water through in reverse.