Heater Core busted can i bypass it
#1
04-06-07, 09:25 AM
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Heater Core busted can i bypass it
I have a 1996 Ford Ranger XLT shortbed 2.3 L 4 cyl. I am currently having problems with my heater core by this i mean it is going out. Is it possible to bypass it without harming my engine. And/ Or what is the function of the heater core ?
#2
04-06-07, 09:30 AM
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The heater core is what gives you heat and defrost in the cab of your truck. Pretty much a small radiator.
You can bi-pass it by simply removing 1 of the heater hoses and looping the other between where it comes off the water pump and connecting it where you removed the other one from the engine.
This means you'll have no heat or windshield defrost in the cab of your truck untill you replace the heater core.
You can bi-pass it by simply removing 1 of the heater hoses and looping the other between where it comes off the water pump and connecting it where you removed the other one from the engine.
This means you'll have no heat or windshield defrost in the cab of your truck untill you replace the heater core.
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04-06-07, 03:35 PM
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How do you know the core is bad? Is it leaking? If it is NOT leaking, I suggest doing a good flush of the system.
Disconnect both the heater core hoses coming out the firewall and stick a garden hose in one end to flush it out. This usually clears problems up.
If the water flows freely through the core, then you have a blend door problem in your airbox.
Disconnect both the heater core hoses coming out the firewall and stick a garden hose in one end to flush it out. This usually clears problems up.
If the water flows freely through the core, then you have a blend door problem in your airbox.
#4
04-09-07, 10:30 AM
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Heater Core
Is this universal advice? I have a 68 Dodge Dart; while driving over the weekend, coolant started dripping into the front passenger footwell. I found the 2 hoses that lead into the firewall but since this is the 1st classic I've had, I wanna make sure I'm not screwing anything up before I alter it.
Also, anyone know of a site or book that has all the parts under the hood listed as to what they are? I know the basics like alt, distrib cap, carb, etc. But there's some smaller things that Chiltons and Haines don't display in their diagrams.
Also, anyone know of a site or book that has all the parts under the hood listed as to what they are? I know the basics like alt, distrib cap, carb, etc. But there's some smaller things that Chiltons and Haines don't display in their diagrams.
#5
04-09-07, 10:46 AM
Yes this should work for all cars and trucks. Basically you are bypassing the heating system. The heater fan will still work - just no heat. The heater core is a minature radiator so if the entire cooling system isn't up to par it may run a little warmer - usually nothing to be concerned with.
The haynes manual should show everything. Towards the back of the manual there are wiring diagrams that should list what the engine page doesn't cover.
Is there something in particular you need to identify?
The haynes manual should show everything. Towards the back of the manual there are wiring diagrams that should list what the engine page doesn't cover.
Is there something in particular you need to identify?
#6
04-09-07, 10:58 AM
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There's 2 hoses coming out of the firewall for the heater core. The left hose, I assume this is the out going coolant from the core, leads into a black circular thing (it looks like a vertical flying saucer about 5" in diameter). From that thing, I don't have the car in front of me so I'm going by memory of what I looked at over the weekend, there were 2 smaller/thinner metal hoses leading down towards the bottom of the engine compartment (they kinda look like crazy straws since they're twisted as they go down).
I don't know if this helps, but the car had A/C but doesn't have a compressor.
I wanted to know what that was so I know if I should also bypass that when I bypass the heater core or if I should keep it in the loop.
I don't know if this helps, but the car had A/C but doesn't have a compressor.
I wanted to know what that was so I know if I should also bypass that when I bypass the heater core or if I should keep it in the loop.
#7
04-09-07, 11:11 AM
I don't remember exactly how AC interacts with the heater but the 2 hoses that come out of the heater core should both terminate at the engine. Disconnect either one from the motor and just make a loop with 1 hose the coolant goes directly from 1 outlet to the other.
AC systems are under pressure and you can't simply unhook them without loosing the freon but since there is no compressor the system should be dead.
The heater hoses are somewhat flexable and are connected with hose clamps. AC lines have a threaded fitting.
AC systems are under pressure and you can't simply unhook them without loosing the freon but since there is no compressor the system should be dead.
The heater hoses are somewhat flexable and are connected with hose clamps. AC lines have a threaded fitting.
#8
04-09-07, 11:19 AM
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If I can figure out how to add pictures to my posts, it might be easier than me trying to explain the part, but the posting rules say I can't add attachments. Anyway, with your description of AC lines, that sounds like what I'm talking about. Can that be bypassed as well when I bypass the core or should it stay in the coolant loop?
#9
04-09-07, 11:59 AM
No need to bypass the AC since it isn't operational - you can remove it if you desire. The heater works off of engine coolant, the AC works off a gas - they are totally seperate of each other.
Photos can be supplied thru sites like photobucket.com. I'm not very pc literate but basically you supply the photo thru them and then provide the link in your post.
btw - welcome top the diy forums!
Photos can be supplied thru sites like photobucket.com. I'm not very pc literate but basically you supply the photo thru them and then provide the link in your post.
btw - welcome top the diy forums!
#10
04-09-07, 12:12 PM
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One last set of questions (please pardon the ignorance of it but I just wanna make sure), do I need to drain the coolant system before I do the bypass? Since the core hoses are kinda high on the firewall, I didn't know if gravity would keep the cooled coolant level below where the hoses would be unhooked.
If I do need to drain it, I assume that's done at the bottom of the radiator.
Thanks for the welcome and advice.
If I do need to drain it, I assume that's done at the bottom of the radiator.
Thanks for the welcome and advice.
#11
04-09-07, 02:06 PM
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I took some pix of that part I was telling you about and stored them on photobucket.
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/in2theknight/Dart/
I put a red circle around the part. You can see in the 001 and 002 pix where the hoses comes out of the firewall into the part. I haven't seen that listed in my Haines book.
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/in2theknight/Dart/
I put a red circle around the part. You can see in the 001 and 002 pix where the hoses comes out of the firewall into the part. I haven't seen that listed in my Haines book.
#12
04-09-07, 02:12 PM
Bypass
The part is the vacuum control valve that allows water to circulate through the heater core and provide heat to the interior of the car.
Last edited by jmm706; 04-09-07 at 02:32 PM.
#14
04-09-07, 04:51 PM
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Did you get a chance to look at those pix I took and posted at
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/in2theknight/Dart/
Any idea what that part is circled in red?
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/in2theknight/Dart/
Any idea what that part is circled in red?
#15
04-09-07, 06:01 PM
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Pretty sure it's the heater control valve.
You don't want that old Dart do you ? I'll come take it off your hands for you.
Looks like it sports a V8. Does the rest look as good as the little we've seen??
You don't want that old Dart do you ? I'll come take it off your hands for you.
Looks like it sports a V8. Does the rest look as good as the little we've seen??
#16
04-09-07, 07:28 PM
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Yup, 340 V8.
I try to stay humble when people talk about how the car looks so I'll let you judge that for yourself...
I try to stay humble when people talk about how the car looks so I'll let you judge that for yourself...
#18
04-10-07, 07:26 AM
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Not over the winter but the spring and summer will get less rainy days so I'll open it up more. Last wkend was great so I droped the top and took a ferry ride to some of the islands around here.
