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Subject:Re: clean heater core
From:jimt
Date:Fri, 10 Dec 2004 14:05:47 -0700

On 12/10/04 1:57 PM, "Al and Sue Brase" <albeeee@MCHSI.COM> wrote:

> Does anyone have any ideas of possible procedures to clean a heater
> core? I'm getting very little heat out of it. It's been getting worse
> the last few years. I guess I should not have used stop leak way back in
> the 90s to stop the head gasket leaks!
> Yes, the coolant is getting up to temp. I've changed thermostats with no
> improvement.
> I'm able and willing to take out the heater core. With new ones a dealer
> only item and SO expensive I'd just l;ike to try cleaning.
> How about some slight caustic cleaner?
> I feel the best way to clean if it was out would be an ultrasonic bath
> type like jewelers use, but this is a bit bigger thatn a watch.
> My radiator shop says no to taking it apart. They would if it were brass.
> Al Brase
> 87 Vanagon, luke warm
> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
I have cleaned some heater cores with a simple flushing with a heavy
cleaning solution. For that method I used the output stream of a parts
cleaner into one port and watched the output for any changes over a period
of time.  

 Some I have poured heavy deliming solution used for pipes into them and
then let them sit for a while and flush out.

Not sure how this would work if there are plastic parts on the core.

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jimt
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