how to clean heater core with clr

uncloging heater core tricks #1359455 12/26/12 05:02 PM 12/26/12 05:02 PM
OP master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,805 Alton, IL	I have a clogged heater core, in the past i have used CLR let it sit over nite and flush it out with clean water and air, what other chems or tricks have you all used.

Re: heater core tricks [Re: Dakota_Don] #1359456 12/26/12 05:17 PM 12/26/12 05:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 35,939 Lincoln Nebraska RapidRobert Circle Track
Circle Track Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 35,939 Lincoln Nebraska	I've pulled the hoses off of the nipples & back flushed it with a garden hose nozzle modulating the pressure somewhat with my other hand which helped with a slightly to moderately clogged one. No opinion on a good chemical to use but it'd have to be caustic to do any good. Cooling system deposits are tough. Doug Dutra the /6 guru used a solution of Muriatic acid (swimming pool cleaner) in a bare block & said the insides came out like fresh bare metal. Dont remember what percentage of acid/water he used nor how long he let it sit tho used in a core that might affect its' soldered joints live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: heater core tricks [Re: RapidRobert] #1359457 12/26/12 10:46 PM 12/26/12 10:46 PM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,481 Chino Valley RodStRace I Live Here
I Live Here Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,481 Chino Valley	Always back-flushed, but more often than not, any plugged core that is unplugged tends to leak! You could try an old speedo cable (just the inside part) to 'snake' out the clogs...

Re: heater core tricks [Re: RodStRace] #1359458 12/26/12 10:59 PM 12/26/12 10:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 6,167 Maryland GO_Fish master
master Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 6,167 Maryland	Quote: Always back-flushed, but more often than not, any plugged core that is unplugged tends to leak! You could try an old speedo cable (just the inside part) to 'snake' out the clogs... the aluminum, copper and solder on heater cores are thin to begin with. Add some corrosion and some probing and you've got a leak. Not much to loose though... with no heat you'll probably be going into the dash anyways. Scott B. "I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!" 68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph 69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph 01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph

Re: heater core tricks [Re: GO_Fish] #1359459 12/27/12 12:51 AM 12/27/12 12:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN ahy master
master Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN	If its a coolant related plug (Dexcool?), backflush with a garden hose usually works. If its a hard plug, good luck.

Re: uncloging heater core tricks [Re: Dakota_Don] #1359460 12/27/12 09:11 AM 12/27/12 09:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 233 MN Skid_Demon enthusiast
enthusiast Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 233 MN	A number of years ago I bought a 76 Dodge pickup. Okay, it was many years ago. My garden hoses were rolled up for the winter, so I went to the local car wash and used their pressure wand. I figured I had nothing to loose. I brought along a piece of plastic pipe and extra hose clamps to re-plumb if the heater core burst. After a few minutes or so of flushing, the thick green goo started looking cleaner. After a few more minutes, we were good to go. No leaks, excellent heat. Seems like that was one of the few times things worked out as planned.

Re: uncloging heater core tricks [Re: Skid_Demon] #1359461 12/27/12 09:21 AM 12/27/12 09:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,012 indiana mcmopars super stock
super stock Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,012 indiana	depending on what its in,most always,you will be money ahead to just replace

Re: heater core tricks [Re: RodStRace] #1359462 12/28/12 12:12 AM 12/28/12 12:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,048 Back home in PA BulletBob master
master Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,048 Back home in PA	Quote: Always back-flushed, but more often than not, any plugged core that is unplugged tends to leak! You could try an old speedo cable (just the inside part) to 'snake' out the clogs... Trash in a cooling system works like stop leak It finds the leak only being larger & more rigid the stop leak it gathers the rest of the trash & essentially becomes like a clogged filter so to speak

Re: heater core tricks [Re: BulletBob] #1359463 12/28/12 12:21 AM 12/28/12 12:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,935 Holly/MI Dean_Kuzluzski master
master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,935 Holly/MI	I've used air pressure from my shop compressor to blow out a plugged heater core. Just ease into it with a nozzle and once opened put it back together. If it leaks, add a little Bars Leak, pepper or whatever trick of choice. R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04

Re: heater core tricks [Re: BulletBob] #1359464 12/28/12 12:40 AM 12/28/12 12:40 AM
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 247 Sterling Conn manymopars enthusiast
enthusiast Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 247 Sterling Conn	I have a 98 Durango that has 210.000 miles on it.About every two years when I start to notice lack of heat at idle I know its time to back flush the heater core.What I do is I disconnect the inlet hose to the core and loop it back to the water pump and then I drive down to the local car wash and using their spray guns I back flush the core through the cores outlet hose. I have probably back flushed the core 3 times and have had no issues yet with the core leaking.At some point I know I will have to replace the core but until that time comes I will just continue to flush it every two years or so..

Re: heater core tricks [Re: manymopars] #1359465 12/28/12 06:51 AM 12/28/12 06:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,079 Niles , Ohio therocks Its Lost
Its Lost Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,079 Niles , Ohio	We backflushed a bunch of GM heater cores for no heat.The Dexcool clogged them up.Some you had to do a few times to get good heat.Never had any leaks.I had a 73 Dart that had a plugged core.Flushed it probally 10 times.Still never had good heat.Replaced the core and it roasted you out.Typically though they will be good after a good flush.That and almost never have they leaked.Rocky

Re: heater core tricks [Re: therocks] #1359466 12/28/12 11:42 AM 12/28/12 11:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,935 Holly/MI Dean_Kuzluzski master
master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,935 Holly/MI	Anyone ever try putting some Airsoft BB's into the heater hoses to help clean out the heater core??? This assuming you have both the inlet and outlet hoses detached and can recapture the BB's when they come out. R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04

Re: uncloging heater core tricks [Re: Dakota_Don] #1359467 12/28/12 04:25 PM 12/28/12 04:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 299 East Brunswick, NJ finadk enthusiast
enthusiast Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 299 East Brunswick, NJ	I have had good luck using CLR. Flush with water, Avoid high pressure air you can easily blow out a weak core. Pour the CLR in through the heater hoses, let it sit, flush with water again. I would flush it into a white bucket and stop once the sediment stops coming out. Good Luck Scott 1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer (408 Stroker, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rack & Pinion, 6 speed) 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 1976 Corvette

Re: heater core tricks [Re: Dean_Kuzluzski] #1359468 12/28/12 10:27 PM 12/28/12 10:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 11,952 State of Confusion hp383 Just a normal tag again
Just a normal tag again Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 11,952 State of Confusion	Quote: Anyone ever try putting some Airsoft BB's into the heater hoses to help clean out the heater core??? This assuming you have both the inlet and outlet hoses detached and can recapture the BB's when they come out. I dont think the passages on the core would pass the BB's Join the Penguin Liberation Front!! Stop the Hippo Occupation!

Re: heater core tricks [Re: hp383] #1359469 12/28/12 11:15 PM 12/28/12 11:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 17,339 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... NITROUSN I Live Here
I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 17,339 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	Quote: Quote: Anyone ever try putting some Airsoft BB's into the heater hoses to help clean out the heater core??? This assuming you have both the inlet and outlet hoses detached and can recapture the BB's when they come out. I dont think the passages on the core would pass the BB's

how to clean heater core with clr

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