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Heater core: BYPASSED
16 years ago
General
So like the other day someone in my family noticed my car was leaking fluid. On the day of my last final, my car totally overheated and I wandered around in nature for a while until the engine cooled down. Also, it was nearby an A&W restaurant too, so I had a couple coney dogs :9
Anyway, pops was over for the memorial day weekend so today we tried to pinpoint the leak. Through some deducing he believed that the problem was the heater core; so, we went off to the car parts store to look and see if it was an easy replacement. The part's not expensive, but it's a huge PITA to get it out there, so instead, a much more awesome solution was formulated: totally bypass the bastard 8)
Well anyway, it's funny, cause to get to the hoses we had to take off the coolant overflow tank thingy, which took a metric wrench, but the hose was a 5/8" US measurement part. Go figure. To couple the input and output hoses from the heater core to bypass it, we had to get a part with a weird size and the car parts store didn't have one. So we used a garden hose coupler from the hardware store instead :V
After that, the coolant was replaced. No leaks so far. Will check for a new puddle and try to deliver
shiin's drawing to the post office tomorrow. Stay tuned....
Anyway, pops was over for the memorial day weekend so today we tried to pinpoint the leak. Through some deducing he believed that the problem was the heater core; so, we went off to the car parts store to look and see if it was an easy replacement. The part's not expensive, but it's a huge PITA to get it out there, so instead, a much more awesome solution was formulated: totally bypass the bastard 8)
Well anyway, it's funny, cause to get to the hoses we had to take off the coolant overflow tank thingy, which took a metric wrench, but the hose was a 5/8" US measurement part. Go figure. To couple the input and output hoses from the heater core to bypass it, we had to get a part with a weird size and the car parts store didn't have one. So we used a garden hose coupler from the hardware store instead :V
After that, the coolant was replaced. No leaks so far. Will check for a new puddle and try to deliver
shiin's drawing to the post office tomorrow. Stay tuned....
Needs more chewing gum and rubber bands though.
You won't need the heater until winter (or sooner with the solar minimum we're in), plenty of time to save the $$ to have the core replaced!
Trust me, you probably *could* do it yourself as a weekend project, but it's best to ask around for a local mechanic and get your best price. If it's under $200, jump
That being said, I hope my experience with computer demons for this same purpose has taught me to push in on those connectors until they CLICK 8V
I have absolutely no idea what kind of vehicle you have, but I do know that several brands have issue with not enough ground straps on the cooling system, which helps when electrolysis in your system kicks in- that's the main cause of leaks in aluminum parts, especially if there's other metals in your cooling system.
If you have a voltmeter, put one end in the coolant touching nothing, and the other on the metal of the radiator, if you have more then a volt or so you should see about either getting all fresh coolant (easiest fix) and adding some ground straps to have the battery help keep the system voltage low.
Heater cores are a pain. Some are ~2 hours, I've had some take ~8. Granted, I'm a mechanic and somewhat specialize in things like dashboard removal, so other people's times may vary :)
Other telltale signs of too much electrolysis occurring would be the slow internal rot of your hoses, give them a squeeze! If they're really squishy and rubbery its more likely oil contamination on them, if they are crunchy on the inside when you first squeeze them its electrolysis. Either way should see about replacing those hoses.
Good job on the hose coupler, though! Auto parts stores can be stuuuupid.
Also you'll find almost every bolt in any car can be removed with a metric wrench except for the pesky 3/8 size used for some brake fittings, and the one between 10mm/11mm which I can never remember. Most hoses are oddly enough, measured via inches on inner diameter, go fig...
Lord knows you can do your own kitschy theme music too! xD
~Kai
Also becareful of temp fixes it can make things alot worse, bypassing stuff can actually end up doing something else worse =x
Usually in junkyards they have parts for that, but some are in better condition then others and always becareful, and flush it out before using.
Cars, simple to use hard as hell when something goes wrong lol