I own a 1997 doge ram 1500 with a 5.2. My problem is no heat or very little heat. Tried everything, changed water pump, thermostat and all i get is a small amount of heat. I purchased a new heater core but it looks like a big job, does anyone have any suggestions,thanks

 

Have you pulled the lines to/from the heater core? Perhaps they're clogged as well as the heater core being clogged. If you pull both lines from the engine and connect a water hose to one of the lines check the flow coming out of the other.

If you do replace the heater core, read the DIY instructions on this page and plan on spending 4 hours to do the job.

 

From what I've read all across this forum, the garden hose heater core flush typically only gives back a little bit of heat and just buys a small amount of time until you have to replace the heater core anyways.

I would go ahead and swap out the heater core and be done with it. When I did mine I just loosened up the dash board enough to slide it back a bit and wiggle the heater core out. Actually removing and installing the new heater core would be slightly easier if you were to completely remove the dash board, but I didn't think it was worth the hassle of removing it.

 

well I'm up and running again and yes it was the heater core that was causing the problems. I replaced it and now there is enough heat to roast you out of the cab. But i wouldnt try tackling this job if you dont have a lot of time and patience as it is very time consuming and you wonder if it will ever go back the way it was. Thanks for the replys

 

I'm wondering if my heater core is going out. I notice that my heat isn't what it once was. Also, if I have the heat on, when i shut the truck off, I can hear a gurgling/flowing sound from behind the dash for a few minutes. Didn't used to make that noise that I can remember.

 

Silver-Dodge , before you put ur heater core to your culprit , make sure there is no air in the coolant system , and bleed it / top it off. Gurgling means theres air in the system settling.

 

Ya, I checked that. Didn't seem to be any that I could tell, but i'll double check it.

 

I think the best way to bleed , cap off , heater on high , idleing waiting till it over flows from the cap and then put the cap on gets the air out while bleeding.

 

use the diy heater core thread its really helpful and easy it only took me about an hour to do it just make sure if your truck has a/c you discharge and have the right disconnect tools after that its smooth sailing

 

#1) Punctuation is your friend
#2) The A/C system does not have to be disconnected or opened in order to change the heater core