relacement heater core question - are the pipes supposed to be loose?

[keakar]

just got in an oem heater core replacement and when I opened the box it doesn't look very secure

it seems to have O-rings with some bent over crimps to hold the pipes in it and the pipes turn fairly easy.

I find it hard to believe this would seal and hold pressure like that but that's why im here asking you guys.

so before I go calling and asking for a new replacement, is this thing supposed to have easy to move around water pipes? is this "how its supposed to be"?

and by easy to move I don't mean they flop around, what I mean is they turn with little to no effort but there is a feeling of a "slight' grip on the pipe from the 0-ring

 

[keakar]

so no one here ever replaced a 4th gen 4runner heater core?

 

[4Reak Show]

so no one here ever replaced a 4th gen 4runner heater core?

Nope. 11 years general auto repair and I've only replaced a 2nd gen heater core.... In my own... Twice. And yeah some of them do that. If it worries you, grab a flat head screw driver and tap down the crimps a little more with a hammer. (Lite hammering!). If you're sure you got OEM I would trust it.

 

[keakar]

Nope. 11 years general auto repair and I've only replaced a 2nd gen heater core.... In my own... Twice. And yeah some of them do that. If it worries you, grab a flat head screw driver and tap down the crimps a little more with a hammer. (Lite hammering!). If you're sure you got OEM I would trust it.

well it is just very odd to have something under pressure isn't tight fitting.

I can understand if its not rigid and "can" be moved, but while its not under a lot of pressure, it is under pressure and if this thing leaks the whole dash needs to come out again which is a 10-12 hour job to do

so you can see why I damn sure want to know for certain weather or not this is normal to not be tight fitting and that I can trust it wont leak on me.

 

[4Reak Show]

well it is just very odd to have something under pressure isn't tight fitting.



I can understand if its not rigid and "can" be moved, but while its not under a lot of pressure, it is under pressure and if this thing leaks the whole dash needs to come out again which is a 10-12 hour job to do



so you can see why I damn sure want to know for certain weather or not this is normal to not be tight fitting and that I can trust it wont leak on me.

100% agree. If you want to be absolutely certain, fill it with water, cap one end, and put regulated air pressure on the other of about 15 psi. See what happens. If it seeps out then get another one.

I'm fairly certain I've come across this looseness on other vehicles before and for me it never turned into an issue. But I still agree with you. It's a little unnerving.

 

[AuSeeker]

Try getting a hold of ghs215 who has helped you with your parts list and or V8Man, one or both should be able to answer your question since both has had dealings with replacing and or removing the heater core when doing the evaporator.

 

[lbhsbz]

Yes, they are loose. There are 2 clamps that you transfer from the old one to hold things in place

 

[ghs215]

Unfortunately I never unscrewed the heater core from the box, so I can't say what mine was like. I am also looking at the pics I took and see the crimp you are talking about. About half of its crimped. Interesting design. Maybe its so you can swap out the pipes or allow movement between the engine and pipes so they don't destroy the connection to the core?

You could run to the stealership and ask to see the part off their shelf (act like you are buying, of course :becky and check it out.

 

[V8Man]

[MENTION=165526]keakar[/MENTION]
Test it with a water hose before you install it. The water system on an automobile will not see over 20 psi ever. Most city water pressure is around 40 psi, mine is 100 psi! Regulate it down to be sure, but I would defiantly bench test it before installation.

 

[keakar]

thanks guys, it doesnt "seem" to leak with 20lbs of air pressure on it, no air bubbles with soap, so i guess its ok.

it is just very unnerving as all get out to have things swivel like that when they are in a system that they should be holding pressure

 

[lbhsbz]

They are O-ring connections...they're designed to move.