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Heater core bypass

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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 10:10 AM
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Default Heater core bypass

Was out picking up a part for my wife's car yesterday afternoon and once I arrived home and was pulling into the garage, smoke started coming in from all the vents. I realized it could have been 1 of 3 issues, 1) heater core 2) plugged A/C drain or 3) evaporator. I quickly checked the passenger side floorboard and a puddle of water. . HEATER CORE!

I didn't have time to take it to the dealer to have heater core replaced, so I bypassed the heater core and the car has been running fine. Couple things is noticed is that the car warms about 10 degree warmer. Why is that?
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by All_Motor_C5LS6
Was out picking up a part for my wife's car yesterday afternoon and once I arrived home and was pulling into the garage, smoke started coming in from all the vents. I realized it could have been 1 of 3 issues, 1) heater core 2) plugged A/C drain or 3) evaporator. I quickly checked the passenger side floorboard and a puddle of water. . HEATER CORE!

I didn't have time to take it to the dealer to have heater core replaced, so I bypassed the heater core and the car has been running fine. Couple things is noticed is that the car warms about 10 degree warmer. Why is that?
I've done this on my older cars did'nt have use for it. But i belive the core acts as a 2nd radiator. and the antifreeze travels more distance to cool liquid.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by helga203
I've done this on my older cars did'nt have use for it. But i belive the core acts as a 2nd radiator. and the antifreeze travels more distance to cool liquid.
Isn't coolant only circulated through the Heater core when the heater is on?

Last edited by All_Motor_C5LS6; Oct 17, 2011 at 03:19 PM.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 03:04 PM
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Coolant flows thru the heater core ALL THE TIME. When you do not have heat selected, small doors close off air flow so no air flows thru the heater core. If you NOT using the heater,, there should NOT be a significant change in the way the cooling system acts or the amount of time that it takes for the car to warm up.

If your using the heater,, it does add some heat extraction to the cooling system.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Coolant flows thru the heater core ALL THE TIME. When you do not have heat selected, small doors close off air flow so no air flows thru the heater core. If you NOT using the heater,, there should NOT be a significant change in the way the cooling system acts or the amount of time that it takes for the car to warm up.

If your using the heater,, it does add some heat extraction to the cooling system.
GM has been doing it this way for 40+ years.

Last edited by dougbfresh; Oct 17, 2011 at 06:51 PM.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Coolant flows thru the heater core ALL THE TIME. When you do not have heat selected, small doors close off air flow so no air flows thru the heater core. If you NOT using the heater,, there should NOT be a significant change in the way the cooling system acts or the amount of time that it takes for the car to warm up.

If your using the heater,, it does add some heat extraction to the cooling system.
hmmm. anyone ever try mounting a heater core in front of the radiator?
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