Heater Core

[brianp]

Wow! Thank you all very much for your clarifications and advice. I am going to tackle the removal today. I have a very nice and underused mechanic that is willing to let me do the job in his shop so that he is there for anything I can't handle. He ordered me a new heater core and I'm determined...no more poisoning my family w/ antifreeze!!!
Happy Hallowe'en All!

Sounds like a great mechanic friend to have! Good luck.

[Neu]

So a cheap, cheap fix for a leaky cooling system.

5 packets, or more, of Mcdonalds Black Pepper.

Seriously, it works better then most things out there. I'm not joking either.

We usually use mcdonalds because they're everywhere, but any black pepper will work I'd suppose. IT DOES WORK, and VERY WELL.

[4wdchico]

So a cheap, cheap fix for a leaky cooling system.

5 packets, or more, of Mcdonalds Black Pepper.

Seriously, it works better then most things out there. I'm not joking either.

We usually use mcdonalds because they're everywhere, but any black pepper will work I'd suppose. IT DOES WORK, and VERY WELL.

Yes, it is a great short term fix. Used it many times, it will not plug the radiator or heater core if you don't go crazy and add too much. Will only work for a few months.

[andrea]

Hi, me again. Just wanted to give readers an update on what happened with the heater core. I spent Friday removing the old one. It took hours. I did get the thing out and it was leaking rather badly. The new one that my mechanic ordered for me was not the right one (it had both pipes facing down and was about an inch too narrow.) We phoned all over Vancouver and could not find the right one. I then phoned a bunch of auto wreckers and turned up nothing. Finally I took the wrong one to a rad shop to have it rebuilt. The guy said he couldn't do the job but he managed to unearth an unused aftermarket HC which is about half the thickness and aluminum (not copper.) I was very happy until he told me the price...$150.!!!!!! I bought it, but I'm still mad. I'm not even sure this mini version of the superior original will actually heat my car. I picked this up last night minutes before closing but I'm having second thoughts about installing it today. Comments anyone????

[Neu]

sounds like you have no choice but to install it. aluminum is actually really efficient to heat. it'll heat up super quick, and also cool down super quick. it doesn't hold heat long.

it should work, try it. if it doesn't work well, remove it and clean it up and take it back.

you don't really have a choice but to install it.

[Petros]

I happen to have two Tercel heater cores, both are used but do not leak. You are welcome to one of them for $25 plus shipping, unless you want to pick it up yourself. You said Vancouver, is that BC or WA? I am about 1.5 hours from Vancouver BC, and about 3-4 hours drive to Vancouver WA. If shipped you can have it in just a day or two. Same day if you drive.

PM me if you are interested.

[takza]

Don't know how easy it is to get parts where you are...but your LABOR is a big part of what you are doing...if you don't put the right core in it...I don't see a good outcome. They are hard enough to do right without custom fitting. Maybe just splice the heater hoses together and take it home till you get the right one? I'd say $50 or so....$150 for the wrong core = screwed.

[Petros]

I agree with Takza, I would never pay that much for a heater core, nor would I consider putting in one that does not fit. These are not that expensive of a part, even new. But there should be still enough of these cars around where you can get a used one somewhere.

It is easy to just by-pass it for now so you can get the car back on the road. Though I would not recommend driving around in the winter without a heater core (but I have done it, I almost froze to death!).

[hberdan]

What a great thread.
My Tercel, alas, even in semi-retirement, seems to have the beginnings of a leaky heater core. As I am a little burned out on repair work right now, I am considering trying a radiator sealer product. Takza mentioned Bar's Leaks, but when I go to their site I see several different products for radiator leak stoppage. Any suggestions on which one to use? I know I don't need to flush the system...and don't want to drain it and have to refill it later to use the stuff.
Thanks!

[Petros]

for a temp fix on the heater core, the regular cheap stuff is great. You do not have to flush the system with it, it costs less, and you can even add several cans of it if you have to, and it will not harm a thing. This is usually made from plant fibers, since your leak is in the not as hot part, the heater core, it should work fine. That is presuming it is the heater core, and not a rubber hose or bad clamp or similar, the stop leaks will not work on those.

The most costly stuff is for engine issues. The most costly is for repairing head gaskets, I have used it and it works, but it is the most work to use (you have to flush all of the coolant out since it reacts with it), and the most costly. So only use this stuff if you know you have a head gasket issue. This should not be necessary for a temp fix on a heater core.

Good luck.

[takza]

What a great thread.
My Tercel, alas, even in semi-retirement, seems to have the beginnings of a leaky heater core.

As mentioned my car has had that for over 50K. How do I deal with it?

* no flushing except with water

* keep the antifreeze changed

* 1/2 bottle of BarsLeaks

I heard about the pepper thing back many moons ago and didn't want to do such an old fart thing...now I'm in old fart territory and still haven't tried it. There are different stop leak brands...BarsLeaks is ancient stuff. Problem with it is that it leaves a deposit of oily brown stuff in the overflow tank...sometimes I empty this into the top of the radiator to allow it to do it's thing over again.

I've never gotten the block seal to work myself.

All mine does is...usually in fall/early winter I get a minor smell from it...but once winter is on the way I have no issues with it. Now with my truck...it's a different story...a continual strong smell so that you need to crack the windows and keep some good venting going on...now THAT'S an core leak.