Heater Core Testing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Heater Core Testing
Is there any way to test a new heater core at home before installing in vehicle? Engine is out of car so can't pressurize system. Any way to use water hose or air pressure or jury rig something? How much pressure is enough or too much.
Have 68 heater and A/C apart and want to install new core. Can't wait for radiator shop
Thanks for any input
Have 68 heater and A/C apart and want to install new core. Can't wait for radiator shop
Thanks for any input
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Heater Core Testing (ksbunting)
Kurt,
I want to do the same thing. I have a couple of new cores I bought years ago but would like to know they aren't going to leak after install. I was figuring on going to a rad shop for them to check.
Gary
I want to do the same thing. I have a couple of new cores I bought years ago but would like to know they aren't going to leak after install. I was figuring on going to a rad shop for them to check.
Gary
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Re: Heater Core Testing (gtr1999)
Gary,
I don't want to wait for the radiator shop and also the last time they ruined three rows of fins and tubes on the original radiator for my 68. To many butchers out there and I will feel better if I do it since I will have the problem if they screw up. I am in a hurry as I want to get it back together and don't want to wait for a shop to do it or run the risk of them screwing it up.
Someone on the NCRS board said to hook up air supply to one tube and start at 5 lbs pressure and work up slowly to 15 lbs with the other end plugged and the core submerged in a tub of water so you can see air bubbles if it leaks. Sounds good, will need to borrow a compressor.
Kurt
I don't want to wait for the radiator shop and also the last time they ruined three rows of fins and tubes on the original radiator for my 68. To many butchers out there and I will feel better if I do it since I will have the problem if they screw up. I am in a hurry as I want to get it back together and don't want to wait for a shop to do it or run the risk of them screwing it up.
Someone on the NCRS board said to hook up air supply to one tube and start at 5 lbs pressure and work up slowly to 15 lbs with the other end plugged and the core submerged in a tub of water so you can see air bubbles if it leaks. Sounds good, will need to borrow a compressor.
Kurt
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA USA
Re: Heater Core Testing (ksbunting)
Had a shop test my core before installation last year. One of the things they did that you can do at home is to flush it with very hot water. They said this will melt any flux that may be remaining inside that may be covering up any holes.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Heater Core Testing (ksbunting)
I bought a new heater core for the '77 since I had a brand new radiator etc. and I didn't want to rely on a 25 year old heater core with bent tubes andy more. I took the new one to a local radiator shop and he plugged up one end and attached a compressed air source to the other end and dunked it in a big old vat of coolant. You could do the same thing at home with a compressor and a bucket of water.
BTW, the guy didn't charge me a cent for testing the core.
BTW, the guy didn't charge me a cent for testing the core.
