Posting this here because I learned some lessons replacing my heater core that might be helpful to someone down the road.
My core began leaking, again. I had the original unit spring a leak on me once before, and when I found that there were no replacements available I had it repaired by a local radiator shop. Kind of a dying art.
It lasted about two years before leaking again from a different spot. I went back to the same radiator shop and had them actually produce me a new core.
This new core is dimensionally similar to the last one, although I noticed that it did not have the metal perimeter/casing. The layout of the individual channels for coolant is also somewhat different. Although I did not think much of this.
After getting it all reassembled, along with using brand new heater hoses, a new heater valve, and replacing the PHH, I was disappointed to find that the heat output was warm at best. Not toasty hot the way it used to be.
I am a somewhat capable diagnostician, so I won’t get into the details, but I ruled out the thermostat, the heater control valve, air in the system, heater core blockage, issues with the blend doors, servo/cable issues, and fan clutch operation.
With those ruled out to the best of my ability, I have determined that air is not being forced through the heater core in the way that it should be. It is somehow leaking around it.
Well reassembling, I found that all the foam on the blender doors was actually in pretty good shape, so I did not address this.
At the moment I believe that the lack of insulation around the new heater core, as it sits in the surrounding unit, is what is causing the poor heat output.
I will include a photo of the new remanufactured heater, core, and the old one that I removed.
I was really hoping to avoid buying one of the cheaper four seasons units, but I will probably go this route since it seems to be my only option.
An alternative is to find some way to create a casing for my new unit, but I’m undecided. I would hate to get it reassembled and have the same issue. The four seasons heater core looks like it at least has a nearly identical design to the OEM one.
My core began leaking, again. I had the original unit spring a leak on me once before, and when I found that there were no replacements available I had it repaired by a local radiator shop. Kind of a dying art.
It lasted about two years before leaking again from a different spot. I went back to the same radiator shop and had them actually produce me a new core.
This new core is dimensionally similar to the last one, although I noticed that it did not have the metal perimeter/casing. The layout of the individual channels for coolant is also somewhat different. Although I did not think much of this.
After getting it all reassembled, along with using brand new heater hoses, a new heater valve, and replacing the PHH, I was disappointed to find that the heat output was warm at best. Not toasty hot the way it used to be.
I am a somewhat capable diagnostician, so I won’t get into the details, but I ruled out the thermostat, the heater control valve, air in the system, heater core blockage, issues with the blend doors, servo/cable issues, and fan clutch operation.
With those ruled out to the best of my ability, I have determined that air is not being forced through the heater core in the way that it should be. It is somehow leaking around it.
Well reassembling, I found that all the foam on the blender doors was actually in pretty good shape, so I did not address this.
At the moment I believe that the lack of insulation around the new heater core, as it sits in the surrounding unit, is what is causing the poor heat output.
I will include a photo of the new remanufactured heater, core, and the old one that I removed.
I was really hoping to avoid buying one of the cheaper four seasons units, but I will probably go this route since it seems to be my only option.
An alternative is to find some way to create a casing for my new unit, but I’m undecided. I would hate to get it reassembled and have the same issue. The four seasons heater core looks like it at least has a nearly identical design to the OEM one.
