Heater Core Good or Bad?
11-16-2008, 09:37 PM
#1
M.A.D. Motorsports
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 8,014
Heater Core Good or Bad?
I just removed my heater core for the first time since I have had the car and I havn't ever ran anything through it while it was in the car (over 6 years). It is partially corroded and I have ran water thru it and didn't see any leaks but that doesn't mean that it won't when heat and antifreeze are ran.
Will a heater core corroded without having a leak? It is not really bad, Just toward the bottom section and around the inlet/outlet tubes.
Will a heater core corroded without having a leak? It is not really bad, Just toward the bottom section and around the inlet/outlet tubes.
11-16-2008, 09:52 PM
#4
M.A.D. Motorsports
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 8,014
Yea I know but I don't like to spend money if I don't have to. I havn't had the heating ducts in the car since I got it back together and texas gets cold but not extremely cold. I just neat something to help with the defrosting. I don't like having to wipe off the inside of my windshield when driving down the road bc of fog.
11-16-2008, 10:05 PM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CHICO California
Posts: 455
Well think of it this way, you have it out and able to re install right now, if it IS faulty and leaks you will have to tear it all out again or cap it off like it has been, or spend 20 bucks maybe less and get it done with so you don't have to deal with it again in the future.
11-16-2008, 10:20 PM
#6
M.A.D. Motorsports
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
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You do have to remember I don't have to pull my whole dash to remove mine so its not really that bad. I pulled it to check it because I was gonna put the ducts back in and hook the lines back up because it is getting cold. I may just get a new one anyway but think I will try this one and hope it holds up for the next 2-3 months that I am home for.
11-17-2008, 07:44 AM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 478
mainly because I do have to rip my whole dash out sometime in the near future to switch out my bypassed PIA POS heater core. It just seems like they could have designed some way to replace that part into the car. At least you have it easy! 
11-17-2008, 09:31 AM
#9
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North East Texas on the Red River
Posts: 886
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Most any reputable radiator shop will leak test it for free. You have already indicated that you can change it easily. If it were instead in a car that required pulling the dash to replace it then I wouldn't hesitate to replace it. Since in your case it is easy to get at, just have it tested and put it back in there.
The easiest way to test one is by just pressurizing the entire cooling system while it is in place and plumbed, but with it out they can check it at the radiator shop.
The easiest way to test one is by just pressurizing the entire cooling system while it is in place and plumbed, but with it out they can check it at the radiator shop.
11-17-2008, 11:12 AM
#10
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio USA
Posts: 4,616
REPLACE
Heater cores usually DOES NOT show any corrosion unless something "WET" has been doing it, aka GLYCOL&H2O, AND OPEN AIR.
BTW I need a new one, and you just hurt my feelings with your SIMPLER PROCEDURE : (, as I am gonna go through hell.
But im thinking of also painting the dash while its out as well.
Heater cores usually DOES NOT show any corrosion unless something "WET" has been doing it, aka GLYCOL&H2O, AND OPEN AIR.
BTW I need a new one, and you just hurt my feelings with your SIMPLER PROCEDURE : (, as I am gonna go through hell.
But im thinking of also painting the dash while its out as well.
Last edited by aode08; 11-17-2008 at 11:32 AM.