HEATER CORE INSPECTION

id071100801600

Heater Core

Caution

•  Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, odorless and dangerous. If it is necessary to operate the engine with the vehicle in a closed area such as a garage, always use an exhaust collector to vent the exhaust gases outside the closed area. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Note

•  Testing of returned heater cores reveals that a large percentage of heater cores are good and did not require installation of a new heater core. If a heater core leak is suspected, the heater core must be tested by following the Plugged Heater Core Component. Test before the Heater Core Pressure Test. Carry out a system inspection by checking the heater system thoroughly as follows:

1.  Inspect for evidence of coolant leakage at the heater water hose to heater core attachments. A coolant leak in the heater hose could follow the heater core tube to the heater core and appear as a leak in the heater core.

2.  Check the integrity of the heater water hose clamps.

Caution

•  Spring-type clamps are installed as original equipment. Installation and overtightening of non-specification clamps can cause leakage at the heater hose connection and damage the heater core.

Heater core—Plugged

Warning

•  The heater core inlet hose will become too hot to handle if the system is working correctly.

1.  Check to see that the engine coolant is at the correct level.

2.  Start the engine and turn on the heater.

3.  When the engine coolant reaches operating temperature, feel the heater core outlet hose to see if it is hot.

•  The heater core may have an air pocket

•  The heater core may be plugged, or

•  The thermostat is not working correctly

Heater core—Pressure Test

1.  Drain the coolant from the cooling system. (See ENGINE COOLANT REPLACEMENT[AJ (3.0L Duratec)].) (See ENGINE COOLANT REPLACEMENT[L3].)

Note

•  Due to space limitations, a bench test may be necessary for pressure testing.

2.  Disconnect the heater hose from the heater core. (See HEATER HOSE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [AJ (3.0L Duratec)].) (See HEATER HOSE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [L3].)

3.  Install a short pipe of heater hose, approx. 101 mm {4 in} long on each heater core tube.

4.  Fill the heater core and heater hose with water and install plug and adapter from the radiator/heater core pressure tester in the heater hose, plug and adapter with hose clamps.

aesffw00000091

5.  Attach the pump and gauge assembly from the radiator/heater core pressure tester to the adapter.

6.  Close the bleed valve at the base of the gauge. Pump 241 kPa {2.46 kgf/cm², 35 psi} of air pressure into the heater core.

7.  Observe the pressure gauge for a minimum of 3 min.

8.  If the pressure drops, check the heater hose connections to the core tubes for leaks. If the heater hose do not leak, remove the heater core from the vehicle and carry out the bench test.

Heater core—Bench Test

1.  Remove the heater core from the vehicle. (See HEATER CORE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

2.  Drain all of the coolant from the heater core.

3.  Connect the 101 mm {4 in}test heater hose with plug and adapter to the core tubes. Then connect the radiator/heater core pressure tester to the adapter.

4.  Apply 241 kPa {2.46 kgf/cm², 35 psi} of air pressure to the heater core. Submerge the heater core in water.

5.  If a leak is observed, install a new heater core.

aesffw00000092