OK MacGyver wannabees... December 15, 2010, 11:23:09 AM My heater core is plugged up again...The problem is, it's 15 degrees out and -5 windchill, so using the garden hose is out. I have a heated garage, but there's no plumbing in there. So- I wonder how I can flush this heater core with no water?I wondered if I filled a 2-liter and clamped the hose onto it and squeezed it, if that would have enough pressure to budge the clog.I have an air compressor out there, but I think that might rupture the heater core...Any other ideas? Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #1 – December 15, 2010, 02:16:04 PM do you have a pressure adjuster on your compressor where the line hooks up? you could turn it down to 15-17psi and clear her out that way.. or even build up 20psi and shut her down.. i don't think a 2 liter bottle will do the trick.. but then again, never tried it Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #2 – December 15, 2010, 04:21:54 PM Spend two hours in your heated garage and swap it for a new one. Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #3 – December 15, 2010, 05:19:37 PM The 2-liter bottle alone did not work. It made a tremendous mess. I ended up using the air compressor like so; I would pour water into the hose and then use my blow gun (on low pressure) to push it through. That worked.I wonder why this has plugged up two years in a row, with relatively all new cooling components? I mean the heater core is probably old, I never changed it, but the radiator, thermostat, water pump and all hoses are new within the last 3-4 years. Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #4 – December 15, 2010, 05:37:46 PM you may have debris in the block.. but i'm glad to hear my way of doing it worked out for you Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #5 – December 15, 2010, 05:40:41 PM Yeah, that doesn't sound right. It sounds like your heater core has some major corrosion or blockage to begin with. Or you have a significant sludge in your engine cooling system. When time allows, I would replace it.Does you heater hose have a socket or some other restrictor in it? That should plug before the heater core I would think. Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #6 – December 18, 2010, 08:52:37 PM Run a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar into your radiator and run it for a couple days. (keep it parked in the heated garage when not running) and drain it out. Then flush with straight water for awhile, and re-add the coolant mix. Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #7 – December 19, 2010, 04:25:27 AM yep, i use a pint of bleach and water myself when i have these problems. Quote Selected
OK MacGyver wannabees... Reply #8 – December 19, 2010, 09:33:35 AM Quote from: vinnietbird;345789Spend two hours in your heated garage and swap it for a new one. Yeah I'm with Vinnie on this. The time you spend messing with it you could have had the new core in. Get your new core, crank up the heat in the garage, put some of your favorite music on, and take your time with it. It's not a bad job, I did my first one in the cold outside and it still wasn't that bad. Quote Selected
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