Need to replace heater core, OK to drive until replaced ?

[JeffW]

I've got a bad heater core that I will replace in the next week or so. Is it ok to drive the car like that ? It's leaking coolant, but not very much at all. Radiator is still full. I guess the only problem would be that my heater won't heat very well ? That's fine since I won't be using the heater for at least 5 months.

I had also planned to take it to the track this week. Any problem with making a few passes with the bad core ?

Thanks !

 

[Pat Adkins]

Disconnect the hoses at the heater core and make a loop to bypass it so you don't have it leaking anymore

 

[G-boz]

pull both heater hose that go to the core and link them together (close loop) until you can replace the heater core

 

[turbofrank]

Find a way to connect the two heater core lines together that way the heater core is out the picture. I wouldn't chance driving around or racing without repairing or above because if the leak become worse all the fluid will come inside the car.

 

[JeffW]

Are all of you saying I would have to remove the hoses on the core itself ? Wouldn't that involve the whole process of removing the cowl, etc to get to the core. Is there a way to loop the hoses somewhere else ? I've never replaced a heater core before and even with step by step instructions, I'm not sure what the cowl looks like or how to get to the core from inside the car, etc. Maybe I should take this one to the shop or beg Greg Friend for assistance

 

[turbofrank]

Where the two hoses enter the firewall remove them go to the hardware store and by a pipe hard plastic or better yet metal that will slip into the hoses and two clamps large enough and join the two hoses together that's it

 

[JeffW]

I found the hoses..duh . Can I remove the short left hose from the core and where it connects to a metal end, then attach the right hose to the metal end where the bottom of the left hose was connected ? I was also thinking of using the short hose to loop on both core hose ends to prevent coolant leaking there. Would this work ?

BTW,
I was thinking of buying an Autozone heater core. They are made by Godan. Is this a good idea or should I order an original GM ?

 

[turbofrank]

I can't get to the car now but what we are saying all is good as long as the heater core is taken out of the loop. You can plug the pipes from the heater core. That sound like a good core most aftermarket cores don't last more than 5yrs. I don't know anything about the GM one.

 

[JeffW]

Well, I got the passenger size (larger) hose attached to the base where the smaller hose attached. The smaller hose is completely removed, but it does form a closed loop. The smaller hose will only fit on the left (facing toward firewall) core hose mount. It's too small to fit on the right.

That means I'm leaving the core hose mounts open. Couldn't this cause coolant to spill out into the engine bay on hard braking ?

 

[stock87]

You could go to the autostore and pickup some bypass plugs. They sell them in pairs. All you do is remove the hoses and put the plugs on the ends. Stops coolant from entering the core. You'll need four plugs. (2) 1 5/8" i think, and two smaller ones. I forget the other size. I have them on the car now, and haven't gotten around to changing the core.

 

[JeffW]

Yeah, I went the the parts store and got 2 bypass rubber caps that fit over the heater core outlets. I then found a heater hose connector and looped the 2 hoses. Good to go until I get brave enough to attempt the replacement. I did pick up a heater core at Autozone for $15.99.