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How To Tell If Your Heater Core Is Bad Or Clogged?

The heater core is the system responsible for maintaining and allowing your heater and defroster to function. However, its fault or malfunctioning may pause various functions leading to the initiation of multiple issues. This article will cover specific essential points related to the heater core, such as how to tell if your heater core is bad or clogged, its location, and a few other frequently asked questions. So, let’s begin with the discussion on the topic and elaborate on some essential points.

What Is A Heater Core In The Vehicles?

The heater core is a part of a cooling system which is like a mini radiator. It’s a small radiator with a grid of tiny tubes and a waffled appearance from the fins that disperse the heat. It is usually located behind the dashboard under the centre of the passenger side.

It functions to circulate the coolant through the tiny tubes. The coolant comes in through one heater hose, moves out via another hose, and radiates heat into the cabin so you don’t freeze in cold weather. It’s also responsible for allowing your defroster to function correctly and smoothly.

How To Tell If Your Heater Core Is Bad Or Clogged?

The heater core performs an essential function by keeping the atmosphere of the internal environment as required. Generally, the lifespan of the heater core lasts long, but in most conditions, it fails to fulfil the demand.

As a result, the malfunctioning fault in the heater core generates multiple issues, and a few of the significant symptoms for the rotten core are listed below:

1. Lack Of Heat

One of the common signs regarding the lousy heater control valve is a heater that cannot produce warm air as per the requirement. If the heater control valve breaks or gets stuck, then the coolant flow would face restriction or complete cessation occur to the heater core.

As we know, the coolant flow is essential for the flow of heat; thus, its failure may create heat-related issues. Hence, the heater will not be able to produce warm air for the cabin.

2. Leaking Coolant

Another common symptom related to the issue is the coolant leak in the vehicles. With regular use and progressive times, the heater valve core wears out and cracks, which will cause a coolant leak from the valve. There are conditions when the leaks or this situation arises because of the excessive corrosion from contact with old or contaminated engine coolant in the car.

An appropriate solution to the problems related to a leaking control valve needs replacement to repair the leak.

3. It’s Foggy In Your Car

The tipoff to the situation arises with a heater core when the inside of your car suddenly fogs up for no reason. Remember, it’s not a slight mist but a massive fog covering almost every car window with moist and warm condensation.

Such cases result because of the sudden blowing of the heater core while driving due to engine warm-up. Thus, the warm coolant leaking into the cabin of the vehicle caused fog. Initially, this emergent fog was sitting inside a warm and temperature regulated coolant system, and now it’s evaporating into steam.

4. Your Car Smells Odd

Young woman holding her nose because of bad smell in car

Whether or not the condition reaches that result in the foggy car when the heater core brokes. It is often regarded as an unmistakable sign of a leaking heater with a fruity, sticky, and sweet smell like melons inside the car. The scent originates or produces because of your radiator fluid. And thus, it’s a sign that coolant is leaking into your vehicle.

You may also experience and feel this fruity smell around the outside of your vehicle. Hence, it means that you must look beneath the car and check the level or quantity of coolant spilt out onto the ground.

5. Erratic Heater Behavior

In this case, the faulty heater control valve may not correctly control the coolant flow to the heater. Thus, it would result in problems with the operating heater. It may even produce hot air at certain times, such as idle, and the hot air may come and go.

The only solution to deal with the problem is to replace the damaged system and regain the smooth and comfortable working of the system.

Can A Heater Core Be Partially Clogged?

Yes, you can do it but only in certain conditions, such as if one hose is highly hotter than the other, then the heater core may be partially plugged or restricted. Thus, in these cases, the heater core may be able to flush out with water and air pressure. Sometimes, it also clears up a heater core enough to get the excellent heat required for your comfort level in the vehicle.

Can I Drive With The Bad Heater Core?

As we had discussed above, there are certain conditions when the heater core faces multiple issues. As the heater core uses an engine coolant to produce heat thus, a leaking heater core will decrease the amount of coolant in the cooling system.

Hence, the low coolant will cause an engine to overheat, thus producing excessive heat in the machine. As a result, it’s pretty dangerous to drive, causing enormous engine damage in such cases.

Does A Bad Heater Core Affect Air Conditioning?

In most cases, an appropriate answer to such questions is no. The heater relies on the engine coolant, and the air conditioning system depends on the refrigerant. For most parts, the heater and air conditioner are two different systems with different working principles.

Frequnetly Asked Questions :

So, here are some of the frequnetly Asked Questions about what are the symptoms of a clogged heater core, will a radiator flush clean the heater core etc?-

What Are The Symptoms Of A Clogged Heater Core?

Symptoms of A Clogged heater core, which is responsible for dispensing warm air –
  • Weak or no airflow.
  • Cold air comes through the vents when the heater is on and Coolant leakage is visible inside the cabin.

Will A Radiator Flush Clean The Heater Core?

After they will drain the system, Then they will wash out the area near the water pump, where it cracked, can cause leaks and add more debris to your cooling system. Your mechanic will wash out the heater.

Can You Fix A Heater Core Without Replacing It?

Fixing a leaking heater core will always be much easier and if it is only a small leak in the heater core, we recommend sealing that leak.

How Much Does It Cost  To Fix  A Clgged Heater Core?

The cost to fix a heater core depends on the Mechanic . The total cost of parts and labor will range between $800 and $1,000 your heater core fixed by a professional.

Will Clogged Heater Core Cause Overheating?

A clogged heater core has the potential to obstruct coolant flow enough which can cause overheating. A low coolant level can lead to overheating and possible engine damage.

Conclusion

We hope the information mentioned above helps and guide you in dealing with the unstable situations of the heater core in the vehicle. However, by the end of the article, we expect that you know how to tell if your heater core is bad or clogged.

If your doubts or queries regarding the content persist, please comment below in the comment section. And we’ll surely make an effort to answer all your questions as quickly as possible.