Bypassing the heater core

[Loekee75]

My wife complained of a musty smell and fluid entering the passenger compartment under the dash, and sure enough, my heater core is leaking (this one lasted almost 4 years) I'm planning on bypassing the core for the time being until I get the time to replace it, (obviously don't need a heater down here in S. TX right now anyways) ...but my question is if doing this is bad for the motor in any way? I don't plan on having the heater core bypassed for very long, but I also don't want to risk harming the engine in any way. Thanks in advance for the input!

[HotZ28]

Bypassing the heater core should have no adverse effect on anything except, the inability to heat the passenger compartment when needed. In south Texas, that would be about one month during the year!

Under some extreme conditions and if your radiator were restricted or clogged, you could use the heater core as an additional source of coolant cooling. I have never experienced any need for that, under any condition.

BTW, you might want to consider using a lower pressure radiator cap when you install a new heater core, especially if it is an aftermarket brand!

[Loekee75]

Thanks, Bo. With all this rain we've been getting, the mosquitoes are revolting and I figured I'd wait until maybe mid October to swap out that core, as I'm hoping most of those annoying bugs will be gone by then. I'm using a 16 psi cap right now, on my next run to the store I'll inquire on lower rated caps, and I'll also change out the short coolant hose located over near the alternator. The "fun" part will be getting the old and new heater hoses and clamps on and off at the firewall!