Bypass the heater core???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
Bypass the heater core???
I discovered last night the the heater core has gone bad. Can anyone tell me if it'll be ok to bypass the heater core and still use the car without a problem?
I've been planning a road trip and if I tear it apart now it won't be ready in time.
Thanks,
Jim
I've been planning a road trip and if I tear it apart now it won't be ready in time.
Thanks,
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
It would be ok to bypass the heater core. But rather then plugging or capping the water outlet and inlet, i would temporarly run a section of heater hose between the two. That way you bypass the core, but the water still circulates as normal.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Corrales, NM
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
Unfortunately I know that you can bypass the heater core. It seems my core went south and I have not made the time to replace it and am running a loop for the time being with no ill effects except the dark cloud overhead from the thought of pulling the core.
Ken
Ken
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
You can plug both lines at the core or run a 'U', either way will work fine. Just make sure that if you plug the lines it's after the 'T' on the overflow tank. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 24,906
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From: Swords Check/Saws Check/Clubs Check/Claws Check/Hatred Check/Anger Check/Murmaid Check/Murder Check
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (ENCHANTMENT)
Unfortunately I know that you can bypass the heater core. It seems my core went south and I have not made the time to replace it and am running a loop for the time being with no ill effects except the dark cloud overhead from the thought of pulling the core.
Ken
Ken
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
Thanks for the tips everyone. I think I'm going to pull the hoses off the core and just splice them together for now. You all saved me the trouble of canceling out an overnight road trip with our local Vette club.
Even if I had everything to do the job, I work slow...I don't want to take the chance of not having it done in time. Thanks again!!!
Even if I had everything to do the job, I work slow...I don't want to take the chance of not having it done in time. Thanks again!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (jerryp58)
On my big block car, the outlets are on the the bottom of the core under the car by the pass frame rail. The hoses are different sizes so it's easiest to buy the plastic hose adapter at NAPA; I think one is 3/4" and the other is 1 1/4" (???) and connect them together to complete the loop or, you can get rid of the hoses in the engine compartment all together and plug the holes with threaded brass plugs at the water pump and intake.
:seeya
[Modified by Marks69BB, 7:59 PM 6/13/2003]
[Modified by Marks69BB, 8:00 PM 6/13/2003]
:seeya
[Modified by Marks69BB, 7:59 PM 6/13/2003]
[Modified by Marks69BB, 8:00 PM 6/13/2003]
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 61
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From: West Unity Ohio
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
I ran all last summer with the hoses off and plugged at the engine and finally had to replace the core last fall I agree it was easier then I expected replaced all hoses and less time then I expected.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee Florida
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (bossvette)
i TOTALY disagree with the "loop the hose" idea...
1-you dont need it...
2-its another possible problem area...
3-its ugly
do this...its easy, cheap and is without a doubt the best thing to do...
you can buy the plugs at the hardware store...they are pipe thread...
[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:27 PM 6/15/2003]
[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:28 PM 6/15/2003]
[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:29 PM 6/15/2003]
1-you dont need it...
2-its another possible problem area...
3-its ugly
do this...its easy, cheap and is without a doubt the best thing to do...
you can buy the plugs at the hardware store...they are pipe thread...
[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:27 PM 6/15/2003]
[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:28 PM 6/15/2003]
[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:29 PM 6/15/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
I bypassed mine. I don't need it here and I don't like the 3 foot hoses needed to get back to the core. I plugged the intake and the nipple on the pump. I developed an airlock after that, but I think it was aggrevated by the lack of coolant recovery tank. Bubba also used to own my car. :eek:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Bypass the heater core??? (CWUin82)
If you are going to use a 3/4" to 5/8" splice then look around for a metal one. I used a plastic one, and last week it broke and I lost all my coolant and the temp needle pegged. Better yet...I replaced the 3/4" outlet with a 5/8" outlet and now run the same size hoses...it's a much better feel to know that the hoses don't have plastic splices in them.
