Blown my 5th heater core!!
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Covington USA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
I wanted to ask you before I went and committed the crime of asking a Cheby club.
My wife has a 94 S-10 that has developed a problem with eating heater cores. Since last May, we have gone through 4 cores, and are now looking at replacing #5. All replacements were done by the dealer techs. The last time, they supposedly flushed the system, did a pressure test, and checked the Thermostat. Now the dang thing is leaking again!
What could be causing this?? The dealer is stumped, I am stumped. I called the dealer this morning and they say they verified everything last time and that they have a similar problem with another vehicle. Any ideas?!!
I keep telling her that it is bcause it is not a Ford. I think my Bronco is beating the crap out of it in the middle of the night. Think she does not like sharing the driveway with that bucket of bolts!
My wife has a 94 S-10 that has developed a problem with eating heater cores. Since last May, we have gone through 4 cores, and are now looking at replacing #5. All replacements were done by the dealer techs. The last time, they supposedly flushed the system, did a pressure test, and checked the Thermostat. Now the dang thing is leaking again!
What could be causing this?? The dealer is stumped, I am stumped. I called the dealer this morning and they say they verified everything last time and that they have a similar problem with another vehicle. Any ideas?!!
I keep telling her that it is bcause it is not a Ford. I think my Bronco is beating the crap out of it in the middle of the night. Think she does not like sharing the driveway with that bucket of bolts!
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From: Covington USA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
No, we do not know where on the core. Since the original was under warranty, I have had the dealer take care of it everytime. The passenger floor gets wet and the windows steam and I send it off to the dealer. Never really even looked at it. Maybe it is cause it is a Chevy and I cannot bring myself to work on it!
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From: Princeton, MN
Blown my 5th heater core!!
I would have them replace the hoses (and clamps) that go to the core as well. I would wonder if there is a leak in a hose that is not showing up on the pressure test and doesn't leak until it is good and hot. I have seen hoses hold up under pressure test and then leak when hot before. I even had a lower radiator hose do that once on the old white truck I've got. Stumped me and my mechanic for about 4 months until it finally blew completely out and after replacing it never had another leak under there.
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From: Covington USA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
Thanks for the input. I know the upper hoses were replaced, but not sure about the lowers. I will request that when I take it in on Wednesday.
It is getting ridiculous though! Every other month I get it replaced.
I think she is getting closer to dropping it and getting a Ford though..........
It is getting ridiculous though! Every other month I get it replaced.
I think she is getting closer to dropping it and getting a Ford though..........
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From: Princeton, MN
Blown my 5th heater core!!
Originally posted by DeKuma
I think she is getting closer to dropping it and getting a Ford though..........
I think she is getting closer to dropping it and getting a Ford though..........
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From: Covington USA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
Not sure about the head gasket..........
Would that cause the heater core to fail???
Would that cause the heater core to fail???
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Blown my 5th heater core!!
There was a similar problem discussed in the Aerostar forum a while back that involved stray voltage setting up severe electrolysis in the heater core. This was caused by a poor ground connection between the engine and frame (bad/corroded ground straps). With the engine warmed up, use a voltmeter with the negative lead on the neg. battery terminal and positive lead held in the radiator coolant. If the reading is above 0.15 V, you may have your first clue.
Last edited by aerocolorado; Feb 4, 2003 at 04:09 PM.
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From: Covington USA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
So, the dealer checked everything! And I mean everything. Nothing comes up bad. No head gasket. no Electrolysis, nothing.
They feel that they are having a quality issue with their Heater Core vendor and will be working with them.
So, wanna place any bets on how long this one lasts?? The last one lasted 32 days.
Thanks for all your input and suggestions.
They feel that they are having a quality issue with their Heater Core vendor and will be working with them.
So, wanna place any bets on how long this one lasts?? The last one lasted 32 days.
Thanks for all your input and suggestions.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Blown my 5th heater core!!
My neighbor, who is a Chrysler Master Tech, just told me that he has been doing MANDATORY recalls on brand new cars, rolling off of the truck, due to the heater core material being too thin, and ripping around the seams. Could be the same vendor. Aren't they running something like 20psi in the cooling systems now?
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
If you are on #5, I would suggest looking at where the core is leaking. Most heater cores come from the factory nestled in rubber and foam shock absorbers. If yours is missing (on any make vehicle) sooner or later the soldered welds will give out.
The other thing is alignment. If the heater core inlet/outlet tubes are rubbing against anything solid, it will either break the solder joint (like bending a coat hanger X # of times) somewhere or cause corrosion as mentioned earlier on a poorly grounded vehicle.
If you can freely move your heater core around by the inlet/outlet tubes, you have a problem. There should be no movement at all. Try it out.
The other thing is alignment. If the heater core inlet/outlet tubes are rubbing against anything solid, it will either break the solder joint (like bending a coat hanger X # of times) somewhere or cause corrosion as mentioned earlier on a poorly grounded vehicle.
If you can freely move your heater core around by the inlet/outlet tubes, you have a problem. There should be no movement at all. Try it out.
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From: Covington USA
Blown my 5th heater core!!
Thanks for the advice. I had all new mounting foam and rubber replaced while it was in the last week. I also have tried to move the core and it is rock solid.
This is what stumps me. I have replaced everything, verified everything and yet they blow. This is what leads me to believe that the manufacturer/vendor quality concern is what may be causing this. I talked to Ford as well and they are experiencing some of these same issues. Apparently the majority of cores for all vehicles come from one large vendor.
This is what stumps me. I have replaced everything, verified everything and yet they blow. This is what leads me to believe that the manufacturer/vendor quality concern is what may be causing this. I talked to Ford as well and they are experiencing some of these same issues. Apparently the majority of cores for all vehicles come from one large vendor.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Kelowna B.C.
Blown my 5th heater core!!
If it is a heater core quality concern then every truck that has its heater core replaced by that dealers supply of cores should also be blowing out. If that was the case they would have figured it out long before this. So heres a long shot. Has anyone tested your rad cap to make sure it blows off when it should, and make sure your overflow line isnt plugged so the presure has somewhere to go. If the core are thin wall going over their pressure limit would likely cause this. Good Luck