Calling all you HVAC experts

[CCahill]

Dealer price is about $106... . I have my dash out now replacing the heater core, and some vacuum actuator parts... . have not had heat for 3 years...

Oh I also ordered the Heater Treater part... express shipping was $20... . for something the size of my fingernail... . OUCH!!!!

 

[nauidvr1]

Just an update.
I ordered the chemical "Tuff Stuff" (made by MARC), received it on Christmas Eve, finally got around to using it New Years Eve. Results - It worked! It broke loose all kinds of stuff (calcium scale, lime?) from the heater core. I now have heat like when the truck was new.

I bought two 6ft lengths of heater hose & 5/8" hose mating nipples & extended the heater core lines out of the engine compartment so I could work standing on the ground. I filled the heater core 3 separate times, with flushing in between, flushing both backwards & forwards, and sometimes using shop air set to 50psi to blow the water out and create agitation. The 1st time I put the chemical in and let it sit for 1 hour, the 2nd & 3rd times 30-45 minutes.

Don't let the chemical set in the heater core for to long, and be sure to be gentle when you blow compressed air thru the system.

 

[Mark.Smith]

Glad you have heat again! Did you change the coolant on schedule?

 

[nauidvr1]

Glad you have heat again! Did you change the coolant on schedule?

No, I didn't change the coolant right on schedule - I'm about 8 months late. Our coolant is supposed to be good for 5 years/100,000 (3rd Gen Truck). When I changed mine I was at 5yrs 8 months.

 

[nauidvr1]

Another update:
Went outside this morning and noticed a small puddle of liquid under my truck on passenger side, touched it and knew as soon as I rubbed my fingers together that it was antifreeze. Found that the heater core had leaked on the passenger side of the cab and the antifreeze found its way out the bottom of the cab. The whole under side to the passenger floor mat & carpet was soaked with antifreeze.

So now I have great heat, but a leaking heater core. Found a dealer to change the heater core for $800. I am so done with this crap! I don't have a heated space to work on my truck, or the time right now, so I am just letting the dealer do it.

What really gets me is that the truck is 6 years old with 70,000 miles on it and the Heater Core got clogged with calcium & white scale! This should not happen in a truck with this age and so little miles. Makes me think that when the truck was built they used well water to mix the antifreeze with. Why else would I have calcium & scale in the heater core?