Heater Core Replacement?
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 321
Likes: 30
From: Massachusetts
Heater Core Replacement? This may be a bit paranoid, but my friend's car just leaked onto the carpet from the heater core (it was a suzuki). I was wondering if replacing the heater core as a preventative maintenance item would be a smart idea. I really don't want to buy a new one and spend the time to replace it as I have spent way way too much on my trans am this year. I'd prefer to go with the whole "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but when this breaks, it will be a small disaster. I have had no signs yet that the heater core is failing.
Not a paranoid thing. Fortunately the preventative measure is easy! Just change your coolant. There are rust inhibitors in there, which prevent degradation of the radiator, heater core, and other metallic components of the system.
Making sure your coolant is the correct type for the car/components, changed at the proper intervals, and doesn't have any contamination in it should keep you going indefinitely.
There are exotic testing systems that will test the coolant for the additives and everything inside - but for a car (if you are worried about it), you are best just to change the coolant.
BTW - On the LS engine; in order to fully flush the system for a change, it requires getting a little dirty, getting some special tools to remove the galley plugs on either side of the engine, and taking a little shower while you are under the car: https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...k-coolant.html
Making sure your coolant is the correct type for the car/components, changed at the proper intervals, and doesn't have any contamination in it should keep you going indefinitely.
There are exotic testing systems that will test the coolant for the additives and everything inside - but for a car (if you are worried about it), you are best just to change the coolant.
BTW - On the LS engine; in order to fully flush the system for a change, it requires getting a little dirty, getting some special tools to remove the galley plugs on either side of the engine, and taking a little shower while you are under the car: https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...k-coolant.html
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,628
Likes: 2,547
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Great advice from wssix99 above! 
The best preventive method to extend the life of hard-parts in the cooling system (radiator, heater core), and also prolong the life of moving parts and wear items (such as gaskets, water pump, etc.) is to follow the advice above.
The best preventive method to extend the life of hard-parts in the cooling system (radiator, heater core), and also prolong the life of moving parts and wear items (such as gaskets, water pump, etc.) is to follow the advice above.
This may be a bit paranoid, but my friend's car just leaked onto the carpet from the heater core (it was a suzuki). I was wondering if replacing the heater core as a preventative maintenance item would be a smart idea. I really don't want to buy a new one and spend the time to replace it as I have spent way way too much on my trans am this year. I'd prefer to go with the whole "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but when this breaks, it will be a small disaster. I have had no signs yet that the heater core is failing.
