Heater Core Flushing - OWNED! (1 Viewer)

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Well I ripped mine off a long time ago :D

But here ya go

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Awesome, thanks! I will have the annoying neighbor yapping dog under the truck to lap the liquid off.:mad:
 
I just finished this exact procedure based on @Izzyandsue directions and I'm very thankful. I got massive amounts of sediment out and now have 166* air coming out of my center vents. I'm looking forward to melting my face off while driving down the road when it's -11 outside.
Thanks for posting your experiences here for us to learn from.

Rick
 
Thanks izzy! I know everyone will laugh but i just completed this last night and have heat for the first time... i know i know winter is over but i dont drive much and its hard to get motivated to hook up the water hose when its 20 degrees outside.:doh: At least im ready for next season!
 
So, I've had this $10 Amazon special OBDII Scanner/DashCommand App on my phone for a while now... Been throwing the P0401 code for some time and I like to monitor the check engine light, but that's a different story. I decided to just leave the scanner attached and see how my truck was performing and lo and behold! My engine runs rather hot! Not sure how to deal with the Intake Temp, besides installing a snorkel, but I think I need to do the Famous Izzy process on my cooling system. Might even consider a replacement radiator, thermostat, and/or whatever that blue fan clutch mod is. Thanks for posting this Izzy - I've owned my truck since early 2005 and I've never flushed the coolant.

BTW, my truck hit 220* coolant temp just driving on the highway. No backseats, no trailer, nothing in the cab but me and the passenger seat. I hate to think how hot it gets on the trail when I'm giving her the business... When I got home to go inside, the truck sounded like a washing machine. Was making constant swishing noises. I assume this is because the coolant is low. :doh:

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I would verify it first. Meaning I would get an infrared and measure the coolant that way and compare to app. Could be app is off or not calibrated. Still, flushing heater and cooling is good practice.
 
I would verify it first. Meaning I would get an infrared and measure the coolant that way and compare to app. Could be app is off or not calibrated. Still, flushing heater and cooling is good practice.
Yeah, the hoses are in good shape and the radiator was full. Also, I just recalled that LexTech Automotive did the PHH for me when I took it in for a brake problem, and that was only a few months ago... They flushed it at that time so the fluid should be fine. Which means, sigh, something slightly more sinister might be going on... Good call on validating the temp sensor.
 
In ya face mama! I did it, I am not a total idiot (only partial idiot)! Here's what I did.

From Lowes got this morning

CLR 128 oz
10 ft of 5/8 ID Clear hose
6 ft automotive coolant hose (for the screw ups I knew would happen)
2 1/2" barbs coupling
1 brass hose connector to 5/8" barbed fitting ( most expensive item at $7)
1 hose connector with ball valve
1 gallon Toyota Rd coolant
3/4" hose band clamps
5 gallon Home Depot bucket
Shop vac connected to blow air
Clean funnel

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Stole my wife's remaining distilled water . Don't tell her.
Did you have to replace any of the vehicle hose?
 
Did this today, went all last winter with literally no heat in the 80. Feel really stupid for waiting so long to try this. I kept thinking all along that my problem was in the automatic climate control but was the gunked up heater core all along. Followed your write up and list Izzy and it worked like a champ only deviating where my rear heat has been deleted. Also on a side note, as far as supplies go if you get the 5/8 barbed to garden hose adapter in the garden section at Lowe’s it’s only $3 versus the $8 one in the plumbing section.
 
Has anybody seen instructions this straightforward for a 3fe yet? Thanks!
 
Has anybody seen instructions this straightforward for a 3fe yet? Thanks!

This is for 91-92 land cruiser with and 3FE

 
Resurrecting an older thread here, but just finished this procedure. Thanks for the tips @izzyandsue , they were quite helpful.

Like many on this thread, my rig (1991 FJ80) was suffering from the "weak/nonexistent front heat" syndrome. It had sat for a few years with the crusty old 3FE in it before a recent LS swap. After two coolant drain and flush cycles the coolant began to look correct and remained the same color instead of rusty brown. Found this thread and thought I'd give it a go when there was still no heat. The back flush was surprisingly clean and only a mild amount of sediment came out. Gave the CLR about 45 minutes of soak time then flushed it out. Again, minimal debris and deposits.

As the heater core was soaking, I removed the stereo head unit to install a new one and noticed that there was mouse nest debris packed in behind the radio. Went to town with the Shop-Vac and cleaned it all out, then noticed that it was right on top of the blend door linkage. After attempting to cycle the hot/cold HVAC lever a few times, it was clear that the linkage was rusted up from mouse urine :eek: and seized in place. Sprayed it up with some lube and worked it a while, then slathered a little Mr. T body grease in the mechanism and pivot points. Works like a charm now when the lever is moved to the hot side.

Long story short, I'm not sure if the heater core flush was necessary, but there is blistering heat coming out of the vents now. Might be another area for others to investigate in a poor or no heat situation. Super stoked that the rig has heat now! :bounce2:
 
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Well.... even though the post is dated 8 years ago its about to live on again! Wish me luck!!!
 
Well.... even though the post is dated 8 years ago its about to live on again! Wish me luck!!!
8 years? Impossible, I just posted this a few months ago….or it feels like it. Good luck, flush the crud out!
 
Well the flush seems to have worked, was 29* this morning and it heated up much better than it has in the last two years. Not sure if it's 100% or more like 85% now but it's plenty until I can screw up the courage to change the heater core and most likely the head and head gasket too. Been hearing water rushing sounds from the heater core area still unfortunately and I think it might be combustion gasses not an air pocket. Oh well it is still much better for now. Maybe I can tear it down in summer for that rebuild.
 

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