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heater core?

J

JimS

Member
My 90 Dodge diesel has a radiator fluid aroma in the cab, the heater doesn't seem very strong, and when the defroster is put on the windows fog. I diagnose a failed heater core. Sound right?

This will be my third core. Why would they fail every 6-7 years?

Thanks
 
Failure- crappy parts, bad antifreeze, improper cooling system service or the classic "they are so darn hard to change the new one gets a few battle scars during installation", maybe because someone took a short cut changing it out.
 
Sounds like you are on the right track in your diagnosis. As to why they fail so often I could only hazard a guess. If the cores are aftermarket, that could be a contributing factor. If you use well water in the cooling system, there is a possibility of minerals causing corrosion, but then that would affect the radiator also.
Now that I think of it, I remember Ford having a similar problem some years ago with heater cores failing due to excessive pressure. They designed a restricter that fit into the heater hose to limit the water flow.
Just some thoughts, and good luck.
 
heater core manufacturers (distributors imho) also warn of electrolysis causing premature failure. Among the causes they cite are improper system flushing at installation, water quality, and installer error.
warranty items are denied a claim if it's pinholes--they blame electrolysis every time.
karl f
electrolysis
 
There are two labels that will come with your new core that will give you a clue. One will say "Made in China" the other will say, "Proudly Made In USA By Union Labor". Yours will likely have one of those labels. If the core of your truck lasted longer, everyone else would want theirs to last longer, then what would the replacement parts manufacturers do to make a dollar/yen? Fourteen year old Wong Le has a family to feed. How much rice will his family get if you don't have to constantly replace your heater core?
 
Your antfreeze may have lost its rust inhibitor.
Permnnent doesn't mean forever. I drain my cooling system on an old Mercury Cougar every other year. Buy one gallon and mix it 50/50. Hal
My heater core has lasted 20 years.
 
It might be the heater core and it might also be the rubber hose connected to it. I would uncover it and get the vehicle up to running temperature and look for the leak. You might just need to tighten a hose clamp.
 
Every 2 years, good flush, refil with distilled water and Prestone green at 50/50. This will probably give you many years on heater core and coooling system. Maintenance is better than repairs. Tom
 
Correct diagnosis.

Change anti freeze and DISTILLED water every two years or so and cores should last indefinitely.

NOTE: When changing hoses, ALWAYS cut, NEVER twist/wiggle heater hoses to remove them fron heater core nipples.

Dean
 
7 year old son was steering the pickup while picking up bales in the field. All of a sudden, the door opens and out he comes, with a cloud of steam behind him. He yelled, "Its on fire, or sumthin'. . ." I had to jump in and put it in neutral.

We all got a pretty good laugh out of it.

Oh, and how hard would it be to put a little plate on the firewall that you could take off to change it, rather than having to stand on your head under the dash and take the whole system apart. . .
 
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE RAD. CAP. If it gets too much pressure that's no good either.
On my old stuff I put a lower pressure cap on them helps things hold up longer. I don't live in a super warm climate so I don't feel I need the extra boiling over protection.
 
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