Heater Core bypassed
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Valrico FL
Heater Core bypassed
I recently bought a 1997 C5 and while travelling in colder weather on a recent trip I noticed that the heat didn't work. I decided to stop by a dealership while on the road and have them take a quick look to see if it was just something simple that I didn't understand. Turns out that the heater core was bypassed altogether.
After reading some of the posts in this forum, I've come to the conclusion that it might have been bypassed mistakenly by someone misdiagnosing a leak from something else. I think it prudent to reconnect the heater core and run it for a while to see if there is a problem. My problem is that I am not sure what to look for once it's reconnected. If there is a leak in the heater core, what would be the symptoms?
If I do find that the heater core is the culprit, based on what I've read about replacing it I think I would be more inclined to just leave it bypassed. I live in Florida and rarely use the heat anyway. Are there any issues with doing this? Am I just making matters worse further down the road?
After reading some of the posts in this forum, I've come to the conclusion that it might have been bypassed mistakenly by someone misdiagnosing a leak from something else. I think it prudent to reconnect the heater core and run it for a while to see if there is a problem. My problem is that I am not sure what to look for once it's reconnected. If there is a leak in the heater core, what would be the symptoms?
If I do find that the heater core is the culprit, based on what I've read about replacing it I think I would be more inclined to just leave it bypassed. I live in Florida and rarely use the heat anyway. Are there any issues with doing this? Am I just making matters worse further down the road?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
If there is leak in the heater core there will be the smell of anti-freeze in the car and the floor (carpet) area will be damp (wet).
It's a big job to replace the heater core. The whole dash has to come out, etc ...
It's a big job to replace the heater core. The whole dash has to come out, etc ...
