2002 Dodge Ram won't heat

Anonymous-0 · Dec 19, 2012

Finally getting cold in Iowa and fighting the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 heater again. I pretty much know without a doubt that it is the heater core. I took the hoses loose a year ago and poured Justice Brothers cooling system cleaner into the core and it did work better - actually good enough. My question is this - is there anything I can pour into the heater core that would work even better and maybe resolve this problem for a longer period. Didn't know if the household calcium, rust, and lime cleaners might work. As I understand this heater core, coolant just flows across the top of the core from the inlet to the outlet. If the core is blocked slightly on top the hot coolant never really flows into the core. Any advice will be appreciated. How big of a job is it to change the core in a 2002 Ram 1500?? Thanks.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 19, 2012

Does your truck have a valve that controls the flow of water to heater core? You could have an air lock in system. If its the core thats pluged you could take to radiator shop and have it boiled out.

casecollectorsc · Dec 19, 2012

Must be something else. Live in SD 02 Dodge heater will drive you out. Is the blend door closing?

tedregentin · Dec 19, 2012

Try using white vinegar. I first take off both lines and blow them out with shop air. Then I use two pieces of heater hose and hold both up and fill one end until vinegar starts coming out of the other hose. I let it sit for an hour or so and then flush both ways with water pressure. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It is a big job to change the heater core. The blend door and the recirc door also go bad sometimes. This can cause a no heat situation also.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 20, 2012

I would have no problem buying a new core. The problem is that it takes all day to install a new one. I believe you have to take down the AC and air bags as well. One person said he was quoted well over $1000 for the replacement on a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 - over 90% being labor. I think the blend door is OK. When you move the lever from hot to cold, even though the heat doesn't really work there is still a very noticable difference in temperature - hot to cold. I did a core flush a year ago by taking the hoses off and did get some results. I just want better and permanent results. No temperature valve on a 2002 Dodge - coolant flows all of the time through the heater core.

Lou from Wi. · Dec 20, 2012

andy r, We use a product called Calci-Sol, only place we could find it is at a plumbing shop. It is a acid so it does have to be neutralized with baking soda water after you flush it out of the core. We always took the core out of the vehicle and poured into the core while it is in a tub,for safety we also use rubber gloves on the hands and goggles for the eyes.We use alot of plastic totes so we can swish it around with a lid on it. This product is marvelous for desolving rust/lime/calcified deposits. Just make sure you keep it away from children and pets,and don't stand over it while it is being used the smell will harm the lungs.It truly works.They use it in boiler systems for removing such problems.
The place her that handles it is W.A. Roosevelt part # for it is 4134-24. The last cost for a quart was $6.34. Two quarts should do that core with extra left over.
We also use it to clean rust off of bolt,nuts washers,anything that we can fit in a tote that has rust or corrosion.Just don't use it on Aluminum or Magnesium type metals.It eats it up. Hope it helps.
Regards, LOU

Anonymous-0 · Dec 20, 2012

You say it flows all the time. Does the truck engine get up to operating temp ? Have you checked the thermostat/ If you do use anything that eats it out make sure you flush it out good afterwards. Some of the flushes are hard on aluminum parts.

ASEguy · Dec 20, 2012

Both hoses need to be hot to the touch. If they are it's internal to the phlenum or the controls. If both are not as hot as the upper radiator hose then you have blockage. We used shop air, as previous poster stated, and made them "sneeze". Don't pressurize the system too much, just quick short blasts. Then flush entire system with a quality flush. Gerard

dstates · Dec 20, 2012

Andy r,

I also have a 2002 Dode Ram with a heater core issue. I just had a shop do an "old school" flush where like you said you run water back and forth through the core and boy did I have heat aftewards... for about 10 miles and then it went back to the way it was. I've also heard that it takes ~8 hours of labor to replace the core. I'll be watching this thread for more suggestions. You're not alone...

robgIN · Dec 20, 2012

flushing the core both directions with a hose to get as much loose crud out as possible, then if it is possible, reverse the heater hoses from the way they were installed from factory, this reverses the coolant flow through the core and sometimes will make a big improvement. If it does not and you have a good T-stat and good coolant flow, you are gonna have to bite the bullet and replace the core.

Bryan inIowa · Dec 20, 2012

YEP ,big job ,done many and hate them ! May as well do evaporator core while you have heater box out . FACTORY heater and evap is the way to go ,,cost more but had lot of headaches with aftermarket ones on these,,and as much labor,,you don't want to do it twice.

Mike M · Dec 20, 2012

I helped my 1996 out by back flushing it with water and also blasting some air pressure in along with the water. Try not to build up too much pressure.
I also flush the complete system out by removing the block drain plugs. My 360 gas had them and so does the 1999 V6 in the Dakota.

jeff-h01 · Dec 20, 2012

I had a 97 that did the same thing...i had a slight radiator leak and put stop leak in it and plugged it good... I located the heater core in and out lines (which were rubber and held with a clamp) and took then loose and used a garden hose to flush it out...let me know if that helps

buickanddeere · Dec 20, 2012

Did somebody pour anything other than a brand name antifreeze and distilled water into the cooling system?

the tractor vet · Dec 20, 2012

Reverse flow back flushing helps some . Muriatic acidMy work also as we use to use it to clean the tubing on the old steam cleaner , BUT i will tell ya now ya had best get some long hose and get away fro the truck . BUT in the endit will be a remove the dash and remove the heater box and a heater core replace. And while your there replacing the heater core NOW is the time to replace the A/C evaporator .

Anonymous-0 · Dec 20, 2012

just change out the core. have three rams and all have been changed

omahagreg · Dec 20, 2012

BILs older Dodge with V10 had no heat. Thermostat was a full cylinder that rises and falls as needed. This cylinder had become detatched and was just sitting, not allowing enough flow. New thermostat and it worked like a charm!

Mark - IN. · Dec 20, 2012

Simple test. Try reversing the flow by reversing the two heater hoses at the firewall into the heater core. A heater core is not polarized, so doesn't really matter which is in, which is out. If it starts blowing heat then, then you just blew some build up out. Very common. If thats it, flush your system. If that fails and its not overheating, try heater control valve. Where is the heater control valve in a 2002? Who knows, maybe in the C-Drive of a Microsoft Windows OS onboard computer.

Good luck.

Mark

2002 Dodge Ram won't heat

Anonymous-0

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casecollectorsc

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tedregentin

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Lou from Wi.

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dstates

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