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| Heater Core Flush (Page 1/1) |
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Brent7088
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AUG 12, 02:59 PM
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86GT w/ A/C:
I've drained the old coolant, flushed the entire system with water (along with the radiator itself); however, I'm not real sure if the heater core was flushed at all during the process. I started an attempt to disconnect the inlet/outlet hoses but didn't wish to go any further and risk cracking the core tubes.
Is there a specific hose I can disconnect and introduce water that will go dicercly to the heater core so I can flush/backflush the core alone? I'm not 100% sure it's clogged or if it has old coolant in there but just wanted to do it anyway.
Thank you[This message has been edited by Brent7088 (edited 08-12-2021).]
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RWDPLZ
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AUG 12, 06:11 PM
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Brent7088
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AUG 12, 06:20 PM
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Yes, those are the hoses I decided not to attempt removing and risking breaking the core tubes (would require twisting too much), so I was hoping to flow water from a different point.
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Patrick
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AUG 12, 06:27 PM
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Probably not the answer you want  , but those two hoses run down underneath the middle of the car. Follow where they go, and choose where you'd like to disconnect them.
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Matthew_Fiero
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AUG 12, 07:03 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Brent7088:
Yes, those are the hoses I decided not to attempt removing and risking breaking the core tubes (would require twisting too much), so I was hoping to flow water from a different point. |
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If you take your time with the removal you can do it. Take a small screwdriver or similar and try to gently pry between the copper and the hose to loosen the crud that's stuck between them. You can also try a metal coathanger wire and gently try to pass it through at multiple locations to help break it out.
If you want to be a little more aggressive you could get some groove lock pliers, adjust to the hose size and squeeze enough to get a good grip on the hose and try to rotate the hose back and forth. You have to have patience with this trying at the edge and multiple locations.
Not that I'm recommending using more force than you are comfortable with but if you were to accidently collapse a section of the tube you could stick something in there after the size of the ID and work out the dents.
I've been aggressive with mine the very first time and I was lucky to have no damage. I hope the same goes for you!
When you go to re-install the hoses (also other hoses you ever disconnect, coolant, vacuum, etc) put a bit of grease on the inner wall of the hose with your finger. Silicon, bearing grease, anything really just enough to lube it up. This will allow easier installation and help prevent seizing in the future.
I recommend to use new, quality hose clamps. They are easier to tighten with a socket than a flat head.
Good luck,
Matthew
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Brent7088
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AUG 13, 02:49 PM
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Both good suggestions...
What I did last night (Thurs.)... I placed a shop vac hose on the thermostat housing and blew air in with the petcock all the way loose. That evacuated most if not all the water sitting in the coolant pipes running from front to back. It was all clear water, cause I had previously blasted water in there with a garden hose.
Then I went to the front and reversed the vac hose to suck air in at the hose on top of radiator (driver's side). When I did that, nearly a QUART of old coolant came out, which was either trapped in the coolant pipe running front to back on driver's side, or was trapped in the heater core itself. I believe I'm going to call that good and start filling.
Thank you for the responses
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Spoon
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AUG 25, 08:41 PM
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I've had this issue with other vehicles. Simply use a razor knife and make slices in the length of the hoes around the copper that it is stuck to. Make slices 1/4" apart and then peel each section away from the copper. Don't slice too deep as to cut into the copper. This way you're not twisting the rubber hose and risking damage to the heater tubes.
Spoon
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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
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2.5
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AUG 26, 10:38 AM
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theogre
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AUG 26, 05:18 PM
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For future ref...
When I need to flush a heater core w/ systems showing a lot of trash...
Pull both hose and put on 2 scrap hose of whatever available on the core.
Then alternately use water and air into the temp hoses until runs clear out of both temp hoses.
Air? air bubbles can help stir up the trash. Don't need compress air but 5-10psi helps getting air in the core.
For water I just use a normal spray head pushed on/in the temp hose ends.
If possible use a "sloppy" fit and play w/ nozzle so water can pull some air in at same time.
Often will push out most loose crap including larger chunks that won't pass thru core tubes.
Do Not use 50/50 mix after coolant system flushing.
See my Cave, Coolant Fill
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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 08-26-2021).]
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