Testing New Heater Core ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Testing New Heater Core ?
I picked up the new Heater Core today and just want some assurance that it will hold . I have read some posts about sending air through one side and plugging the other to check for leaks. I don't have an air compressor to work with . Anyone got pics demonstrating a leak test ? 
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 372
Likes: 11
From: Abilene TX
I had a shop replace my evap core and change out the heater core while in there. I supplied the parts. From reading on the forum, you do want to be sure that there are no leaks. My new parts were taken somewhere, radiator shop??, and nitrogen tested to be sure that they were good. I have read the horror stories that when all done replacing partsand still having a leak. I quess it's possible to have a new core and still have a leak.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I read about testing the heater core with a bicyle inner tube.
Cut the tube in half and install on the ends of the heater core. Use hose clamps or tie wraps to seal this off.
Inflate the tube with the air valve. This will pressurize the system. You can then either hold it under water in a bucket large enough to fit to look for leaks, or you can wait and see if the air escapes.
I prefer the bucket method. If the air is escaping from the hose connections, then you know why it is leaking. You want to see if it is leaking from the core. That is why the pressure test under water should work.
kdf
Cut the tube in half and install on the ends of the heater core. Use hose clamps or tie wraps to seal this off.
Inflate the tube with the air valve. This will pressurize the system. You can then either hold it under water in a bucket large enough to fit to look for leaks, or you can wait and see if the air escapes.
I prefer the bucket method. If the air is escaping from the hose connections, then you know why it is leaking. You want to see if it is leaking from the core. That is why the pressure test under water should work.
kdf
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by kdf1986
I read about testing the heater core with a bicyle inner tube.
Cut the tube in half and install on the ends of the heater core. Use hose clamps or tie wraps to seal this off.
Inflate the tube with the air valve. This will pressurize the system. You can then either hold it under water in a bucket large enough to fit to look for leaks, or you can wait and see if the air escapes.
I prefer the bucket method. If the air is escaping from the hose connections, then you know why it is leaking. You want to see if it is leaking from the core. That is why the pressure test under water should work.
kdf
Cut the tube in half and install on the ends of the heater core. Use hose clamps or tie wraps to seal this off.
Inflate the tube with the air valve. This will pressurize the system. You can then either hold it under water in a bucket large enough to fit to look for leaks, or you can wait and see if the air escapes.
I prefer the bucket method. If the air is escaping from the hose connections, then you know why it is leaking. You want to see if it is leaking from the core. That is why the pressure test under water should work.
kdf
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