Heater core #2 went -what gives?

[leadfoot]

After a short boost blast in 80 degree heat (with the heat off ) I start smelling coolant. Sure enought the coolant is leaking out of the heater core cover.

Why do these things fail? I followed the directions from the web site, used extra hose for the engine torque and still the thing blows.

Fortunately the core is guaranteed for life, but I have better things to do with my time. Is there such a thing as a heavy duty heater core, or does one brand work/hold up better than others??

Any relative experiences honored.

 

[0-60N4]

core

core

Some tips for long heater core life:

Use 50/50 mix of good anti freeze and Distilled water.
Do NOT use the new GM Dex-cool in these systems.

Turn the heat on at least once per month so the water can circulate through the core and keep it cleaned out.

Flush the system as recommended.

I've never had a failure.

Jim Longwith

 

[Makaveli]

Jim, I've heard the distilled water thing before, but why is that?

 

[MR_MNZTR_SY]

no mineral deposits to clog things up. if you flush the system from time to time, this more than likely will not be a problem but its one of those "just to be safe" things.

 

[jimmyz79]

Leadfoot,

I personally replace these kind of heavy use parts with OEM GM parts. Many times, I've bought parts at Autozone, Pepboys, etc. only to have it fail in short order. Don't get me wrong, some aftermarket products are damn good, but I just can't deal with made in Taiwan, China, Singapore... You get my drift.

Sorry, jus venting. I'll shut up now.

 

[syclonekid43]

did you put the bracket that holds yhe heatercore line together unde the hood. when people give you life time warr. on parts that means they dont even trust the stuff they make.i use a good aftermarket company for my shop and never had a problen the place is called S.P.I. I i dont know if they are a world wide company or not just look in the yellow pages under a radiator shop and see what they have stay awy from pep boys and autozone when it comes to stuff like that

 

[leadfoot]

The first core that went was from Aid Auto and the second -with the warranty, was from Autozone.

I do not use this truck as a daily driver and I barely used the heater.I can see if it were in there for a few years, but a few months?? Come on...

I am an experienced wrencher, so I do not think it's my installation technique -although possible...

I also found it funny that this happened after a boost blast -as if - possibly there is a headgasket leak forcing the pressure into the coolant lines and pressurizing the system beyond what the heater core can take. Far fetched? Yeah, but a thought. Anyone know where they sell those kits that check the coolant for exhaust gasses?

For now I'm going to by pass it and give my passenger floor a rest. I am also going to change the rad cap and monitor the coolant system to make sure there is nothing funny going on.

Thanks for the feedback fellas,

 

[syclonekid43]

you can get a kit to check the pressure in the cooling system for leaks and it also has an adapter for smaller radiator caps so you can also check the intercool system for leaks but if your only onna use the tool once see if you can borrow it form somebody there not that cheap

 

[leadfoot]

Yeah to check the pressure. This I know.

I'm looking for something out there like a litmus test. You dip it into the coolant and it tells you if you have exhaust gasses present in the coolant system (EG CO2) (or something along those lines)

Ideally this will tell you if you have a head gasket leak -particularly an intermittent one.