Heater core

[Marr-TA]

ok, I'm freezing now. I am trying to figure out if my heater core is bad or if there is another problem with the heating system. The inlet hose get really hot when the engine temp rises but the other side does not get hot at all. I removed the outlet hose(I guess its the outlet with the metal hose) and started the engine and only a small stream of coolant comes out. Should there be a strong flow of coolant coming out? Is there another part I should look at? Thanks...

94 TA 5.7L LT1

[1Formula]

It's common for the heater cores to get plugged in 4th gens. Pull both heater hoses stick a garden hose on one of the heater core tubes and open the water. You'll see all kind of crap flow out. Might want to check your coolant make sure it's not brown with crap or it will eventually plug up again.

Reinstall the hoses and your set. Make sure you top off the cooling system and properly bleed it so you don't over heat.


BTW while your under the hood you might want to replace the heater flow valve with a 90* coupling. I just had mine break in my 94 formula(with no warning)and it left me stranded. It's located at the front between the engine and the right side fan on one of the heater hoses. It's a piece of black plastic joined to the hose by metal crimping the only way to remove is by cutting it off at the ends. You will need 2 hose clamps and 1 90degree 3/4 coupling to bypass the 'valve'. Cut the valve off and insert the plastic coupling and tighten your clamps it's a 15 min job with the car lifted in the front. I really recommend you do this if you can before you get stranded seems like the life of the plastic in that part is towards it's end and it will just seperate and leave you stranded. BTW that valve doesn't seem to serve any real purpose and have had no problems since i bypassed it.

[Marr-TA]

1Formula, Thanks a bunch. I'll give that a shot.

[1Formula]

your welcome ...i added to the post BTW.