Heater core

[nevada]

Got the whole thing. Only pieces I tossed where the coolant lines back to it as they were pretty much garbage anyways.

assuming the OP doesn't want to use it, im interested.

what would you take for it, shipped to 98902?


mine is giving me issues, and im having trouble locating parts. id like to have a replacement, before I go through the hassle of pulling it out.

 

[penbergm]

assuming the OP doesn't want to use it, im interested.

what would you take for it, shipped to 98902?


mine is giving me issues, and im having trouble locating parts. id like to have a replacement, before I go through the hassle of pulling it out.

It's all yours if you can arrange shipping. Funny thing is he is local to me. I have no need for rear heat. Just would like to get this front heat taken care of. New, maybe right, core is to be delivered tomorrow or Friday.

 

[penbergm]

Well, this is crazy. There are 3 different heater cores listed for a '86 4runner and none of them fit mine. I am the 2nd owner and doubt if anything was done to it before I got it. While it was out, I flushed it back and forth and then ran hot water through it. I could feel warm along the length of the core and no leaks. It is reinstalled and a little better than before but nothing great. I'm done with this project for now. Very frustrating.
I may shop ebay for an entire box with maybe a more standard core. I can't believe I am the first to run into this.

 

[The Count]

If there is a radiator shop near you that actually FIXES radiators (so many today just sell new ones and do not braze or solder on old ones) you could get them to take then ends off, rod it out and reseal it. We used to have a radiator shop do that with radiators that didn't flow/cool efficiently.

 

[nevada]

Well, this is crazy. There are 3 different heater cores listed for a '86 4runner and none of them fit mine. I am the 2nd owner and doubt if anything was done to it before I got it. While it was out, I flushed it back and forth and then ran hot water through it. I could feel warm along the length of the core and no leaks. It is reinstalled and a little better than before but nothing great. I'm done with this project for now. Very frustrating.
I may shop ebay for an entire box with maybe a more standard core. I can't believe I am the first to run into this.

that's strange.

though, having changed a ton of heater cores over the years, its common for them to not be EXACTLY like the one I took out. we usually have to make up the difference with foam tape.


my rear heater will burn your hand if you keep it in front of the vent too long.
in fact, I have toasted bread with it before. while hunting, I put my foil wrapped breakfast sandwich down there to warm up. let it go too long once, and had toasted bread.

it puts out MUCH hotter air than the front.

 

[68jimmy]

to the top

 

[dominopizza]

junkyard is the place to go

 

[aj884runner]

Just Weighing in here

So I am assuming you are replacing the heater core due to lack of flow and not leaking. Here is a neat inexpensive fix that works 99 times out of 100, and a little dangerous. Flush the heater core. Don't use any crap at the auto parts store, use muriatic acid. With the core still in the truck disconnect the heater lines at the fire wall and use a common garden hose and try to push water through both ways. This will loosen any big chunks stuck in the core. Next do the same with pressurized air. Use an old piece of heater hose and attach it to one of the lines out the firewall. Leave the other end open or stick a old heater hose on and run it to the ground. Stick a funnel into the heater hose so you can pour the acid in. NOT YET! Keep reading. Hose down the engine bay and under the hood as well as protect the fender and front cowl. Put safety goggles on (full face mask preferred) and some gloves. When your pour acid into a badly plugged core the acid actually boils and starts spraying everywhere. Do not leave the acid in for more than 30 seconds. Start removing the acid by pouring water from the garden hose. This can get difficult while the acid is boiling. Hose down the engine bay and continue to run water back and forth through the core.This acid can cause the core to start leaking so nothing lost at this point. Use pressurized air to blow out the core and reinstall your lines. Done. You can now pour the acid in until it starts to run out the other side. Good luck.
Just a little FYI, I tried cleaning out a radiator core that was out of the vehicle with the acid. The radiator was bouncing of the ground by a few inches because of the acid boiling.

 

[penbergm]

While I do love science experiments, I think I am done with this until summer. It all depends on how it does this winter, if we have a winter. Today to suppose to be a record high of 82.
It is working better and it is not leaking. If I boiled with acid and it started leaking, then I would be SOL on defrosting my windows.
Appreciate the tips.

 

[aj884runner]

Forgot about this one because I haven't used it in a long time. There is always the less evasive CLR trick. Same as above minus all the safety gear, substitute the acid for CLR and you let it sit over night.

 

[crash813]

I used an air compressor and water til it got fairly clean and then did a single rinse with clr. All from the fire wall hoses. Just be careful with your catch pail. I tried a 2-L bottle first and I shot it off the garage wall!