1992 heater core issues (1 Viewer)

[Scota4570]

It is taking about 10 minuets to get any heat. Even then the heat is weak. I was smelling a faint coolant odor for a while but it is better now in that respect.

I am not willing to change the heater core myself, it appears to be a huge job. I have no shops that will work on a vehicle this old in my area.

So, I am thinking of flushing it out. I saw a video of a person using a bilge pump, some hose, a bucket and CLR cleaner. Sound like it should work especially If I flush it in both flow directions.

I suspect that the core will leak after. I was thinking of cleaning it, then adding some stop leak to plug up the holes.

Or sell the truck as is and cut my losses.

 

[Mark W]

Just "flushing" the heater core is pointless and will do nothing. It is constantly being flushed already as you drive. Acid washing it (CLR is a weak but still relatively effective washing agent) is what you need to do. I prefer Muriatic acid myself, but never introduce it at full strength initially. IF you have clogging from an aluminum based stop leak mixture, the results can be a bit... well... almost explosive at full strength. Not fun.

I washed one recntly that was badly clogged with AL based stop leak. After the excitement was over and the core was clear, the performance went from just barely being able to reach 80*F at the dash vents when ambient was in the 30s, to hitting 225*F in the dash vents at 0*F.

Adding stop leak is the worst thing you can do to your cooling system, especially your heater core. If the core leaks, then it need to be replaces. No other real option.

Mark...

 

[Scota4570]

My thought was to flush it with the flow in both directions to remove enough sediment from the heater core get back some function.

Since it was apparently leaking a little, the smell, and flushing with CLR will likely open that pinhole back up.

It is to much work for me to change the heater core. I have no shops that work on it. The dealer might but the cost would be ridiculous. I do not trust my dealership to do honest quality work based on past performance. Not sure how they would handle the core being no longer available from Toyota.

Sounds like time has come to sell it to an enthusiast as is.