Heater Core Question?
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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Heater Core Question?
I replaced my heater core in my 2001 Ranger not even two months ago. Just this month I started smelling coolant again looked for leaks and nothing. I just figured it was left over coolant, and today I smelled it strong and then all of a sudden my windows fogged up. So it's my heater core again. Why would that happen not even 2 months after replacing it? If somebody knows anything can you help me out I'm so sick of this truck breaking down on me!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 374
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From: Connecticut
Don’t despair
Lynch,
Don't despair...it could be worse.
I had a 1980 Buick Skyhawk in college that had the 231 V6. Torquey little motor so the engine used to break the passenger side motor mounts pretty regularly and when it did, the engine would twist under the torque putting tension on the hoses. I routinely would have to replace the motor mount and the heater core because the tug would eventually break the stem going into it. Many foggy windshields and puddles on the floor mat. This being said, you may want to check to see if you have a similar phenomenon going on (I notice on my 2000 Ranger that the hose assembly is rather long and heavy running from the radiator back to the fire wall and not well supported). I don't recall offhand if the stems protrude into the engine compartment or not.
I must have replaced the motormounts and the heatercore a dozen times or more over a three year period. It became a routine repair I could do in minutes (bypassing the heatercore that is). I do recall that I bought one core that went all by itself in about a 2 month period - ended up that the brazing at the stem was defective). I learned from then on to check the replacement parts before installation.
Hang in there and good luck finding the issue.
Kevin
Don't despair...it could be worse.
I had a 1980 Buick Skyhawk in college that had the 231 V6. Torquey little motor so the engine used to break the passenger side motor mounts pretty regularly and when it did, the engine would twist under the torque putting tension on the hoses. I routinely would have to replace the motor mount and the heater core because the tug would eventually break the stem going into it. Many foggy windshields and puddles on the floor mat. This being said, you may want to check to see if you have a similar phenomenon going on (I notice on my 2000 Ranger that the hose assembly is rather long and heavy running from the radiator back to the fire wall and not well supported). I don't recall offhand if the stems protrude into the engine compartment or not.
I must have replaced the motormounts and the heatercore a dozen times or more over a three year period. It became a routine repair I could do in minutes (bypassing the heatercore that is). I do recall that I bought one core that went all by itself in about a 2 month period - ended up that the brazing at the stem was defective). I learned from then on to check the replacement parts before installation.
Hang in there and good luck finding the issue.
Kevin
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 681
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From: SE Michigan
I second Mr. Wulffs nomination. It's difficult to find good quality parts any more. And some that were the best all the time aren't that good anymore. Check to see if you had a warranty with the heater core and get them to replace it. They shouldn't be failing like that. When you get another one make sure it has a warranty too.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
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Also, if you replace the heater core with one that is made of incorrect materials, combined with coolant that has been mixed with mineral rich tap water, will cause the new one to corrode from the inside out and leak. Try to get replacements that are made from the same materials as the original and never mix tap water with coolant.
