heat problems
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,368
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From: Clayton MI
Supposedly the coolant vapors are non-toxic to humans..... but, I would guess that they aren't exactly good for you either. Drinking the coolant will kill pets, so, if your dog rides in your truck...... bear that in mind. (also that to animals, it smells/tastes good, they aren't quite aware that drinking it will kill them.)
But..... aside from those issues, leaking coolant can also be disastrous for your engine. If it overheats.... it can get expensive in a hurry. Changing the heater core isn't much fun though... you need to have a warm place to work. If you don't, paying someone else to do it would be a good idea. Trouble is, it is VERY labor intensive...... (read: Expensive.)
But..... aside from those issues, leaking coolant can also be disastrous for your engine. If it overheats.... it can get expensive in a hurry. Changing the heater core isn't much fun though... you need to have a warm place to work. If you don't, paying someone else to do it would be a good idea. Trouble is, it is VERY labor intensive...... (read: Expensive.)
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Bad Heat- Installed a bleeder Valve
I had numerous problems with my heater core not allowing all of the air out of the system. I installed my own homemade bleeder in these steps.
1. Bought a T elbow at my local Homedepot.
2. On the passenger side of the heater core hose there is a factory break in the heater core hose. I pulled back both clamps and installed my T elbow and 3 inch piece of Heater tube on the T up position, clamped some hose clamps and connected a open close valve to the end ot it, without cutting any line, I used the factory cut to implement the T and the shut off valve.
4. I then ran a long tube to the shut off valve and attached a deep funnel to the end.
5. I turned the truck on and put the heat to High and high fan.
6. I waited until it warmed up to about 160-180 degrees, I filled the funnel with new antifreeze about 1-2 quarts.
7. I opened the new valve and away went the air pockets. I kept filling the funnel so the pressure woulf be constant on the air and it took in about a gallon total. It worked awesomely!! Great heat now, no more gurgling heater core in the can when I stepped on the gas, constant HOT air with changing anything but removing the air.
Great fix when everyone will tell you its the heatercore!!.
If both pipes are getting hot in and out of the heater core than this is the fix. Look on the bright side. 15 minutes and less than 10 dollars in parts.
I got the idea from a guy on youtue that did a more complex version of what I did. There is already a break in the heater core line from the factory just for this problem. No need for a new heater core if it was working well prior and you've already done a fluch, new water pump and thermostat. This will solve the problem. Just make sure that you have plenty on pre-mixed coolant in the funnel and when the system stops taking the antifreeze close the new valve immediately. This will stop all air pockets and fill the system to capacity.
Cheers!!
1. Bought a T elbow at my local Homedepot.
2. On the passenger side of the heater core hose there is a factory break in the heater core hose. I pulled back both clamps and installed my T elbow and 3 inch piece of Heater tube on the T up position, clamped some hose clamps and connected a open close valve to the end ot it, without cutting any line, I used the factory cut to implement the T and the shut off valve.
4. I then ran a long tube to the shut off valve and attached a deep funnel to the end.
5. I turned the truck on and put the heat to High and high fan.
6. I waited until it warmed up to about 160-180 degrees, I filled the funnel with new antifreeze about 1-2 quarts.
7. I opened the new valve and away went the air pockets. I kept filling the funnel so the pressure woulf be constant on the air and it took in about a gallon total. It worked awesomely!! Great heat now, no more gurgling heater core in the can when I stepped on the gas, constant HOT air with changing anything but removing the air.
Great fix when everyone will tell you its the heatercore!!.
If both pipes are getting hot in and out of the heater core than this is the fix. Look on the bright side. 15 minutes and less than 10 dollars in parts.
I got the idea from a guy on youtue that did a more complex version of what I did. There is already a break in the heater core line from the factory just for this problem. No need for a new heater core if it was working well prior and you've already done a fluch, new water pump and thermostat. This will solve the problem. Just make sure that you have plenty on pre-mixed coolant in the funnel and when the system stops taking the antifreeze close the new valve immediately. This will stop all air pockets and fill the system to capacity.
Cheers!!