Do I Need To Drain Coolant To Change Heater Core

Heater core replacement is one of those jobs you accept to practice if the windshield fogs when the defroster is running. Another visible sign of trouble is damp carpeting, usually on the passenger side of the vehicle near where the heater core is located. When working properly, the heater core sends rut to the cabin. When it leaks, it must be replaced. Getting the chore done ranges from easy to difficult, depending on the core's location inside your car.

Don't Delay

Besides not functioning in the way intended, a leaking heater core creates a mess. The liquid is coolant, also known as antifreeze, and information technology tin can damage your machine. Antifreeze is likewise toxic and if somehow ingested, it tin make a person very ill. Ethylene glycol, methanol and propylene glycol are amidst the main ingredients nowadays and may lead to serious symptoms and even death if consumed and not immediately treated. Even if you lot don't drink the liquid coolant directly, the vaporized coolant tin still circulate within the vehicle. If that vaporized coolant ends upwards in your lungs, it can make you and your passengers ill. So don't put off a heater core replacement thinking y'all tin can just keep adding coolant, the damage can accomplish farther than you think.

Locate the Heater Core

Where did the manufacturer place the heater cadre? You may need to reference a service transmission to find information technology, just it's typically found in one of two areas.

Lift the hood and follow your car's cooling system towards the cabin to observe what looks similar a small-scale version of your vehicle'south radiator. Two hoses connect to the heater core — one hose is tasked with transporting hot coolant from the water pump to the heater core. The second hose returns the coolant to the meridian of the engine. These hose connections are usually found on the passenger side of the engine firewall, but may besides exist found near the middle. A blower or fan draws air through the heater core, directing air through the heater ducts to your machine'due south interior.

Unfortunately, non all heater cores are prominently located. Some are located inside the dashboard. That means you'll have to remove the dash besides as the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system to achieve it. In this example, you lot'll have to evacuate the air conditioning organization as a issue of disconnecting the evaporator to remove the HVAC unit. It's at this point you may make up one's mind to let your mechanic handle the job.

Completing the Job

Yous'll need several tools to become this job done, including a jack, jacks stands, a socket fix, wrenches, pliers, a drain pan and rags. As well a new heater core, you'll besides need coolant. Y'all may need heater cadre hoses and hose clamps.

When you find the heater core, raise the front of your vehicle, placing information technology on jacks. Bleed the coolant from the radiator. Next, remove the heater drain tube and loosen the clamps on the heater core hoses. Remove the hoses connecting to the heater core. Inspect the hoses, as now would be a good time to replace them if they are rotten. Bleed whatever coolant remains.

Before installing a new heater core, transfer whatever parts from the old heater core to the new 1. Install the new cadre, reinstall or supplant the mounting clamps and and so the hoses as well as the heater bleed tube. In one case the heater core, clamps, hoses and tube are secure, yous're ready to add new coolant to the radiator. Once filled, lower the vehicle.

Get-go the engine, plow the heater on loftier and activate the fan to verify heat is bravado from the heater core. Once you're confident everything is working as required, all that is left is clean up. If the heater core came with an access cover, so install it. Recheck the radiator to ensure at that place is enough coolant present every bit air pockets may escape the system and demand boosted fluid.

This job is doable, it just ranges from easy to challenging, depending on where the heater is located inside your machine.

Check out all the heating & cooling partsavailable on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more data on heater core replacement, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA Auto PARTS shop.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Matthew C. Keegan View All

Matt Keegan has maintained his love for cars e'er since his father taught him kick tires can be one style to uncover a trouble with a vehicle's suspension organization. He since moved on to learn a few things nigh coefficient of drag, G-forces, toe-heel shifting, and how to piece of work the crazy infotainment system in some random weekly driver. Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Printing Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources.