Heater core flush

So there I was watching Heater Core Flush videos, and saying, I can do that......
So I ran to HD , got my supplies and this morning, started on the project......
As always, nothing ever goes like on the videos.......got one hose off and the other one won’t budge.........they’re original....2010 taco, 214k

is there any other way to resolve my dilemma , other than cutting the hose.....getting a new elbow hose and making the project bigger.....(don’t really want to do that).

found a small shop that does a lot of work, they want $175 to do a coolant flush with chems , just not sure that cleans out the heater core.....

as always, any help is appreciated.

 

Any particular reason why you want to flush the heater core?
Is putting back together and leaving it alone an option?
Or has one of the hoses been damaged?

 

Flush your coolant system with the heat on high. It will flush your heater core at the same time.

 

Heat is a little weak......but mainly because I have flushed and reconditioned everything else.
easy job to actually do, IF you can get hoses off.
Pretty sure, coolant is original

As of right now, everything back in its place, no damage done.......just didn’t want to give up.

 

Did you bleed system after flushing and refilling with coolant?

 

If you flush the coolant system you are also flushing the heater core.

Hint: The heater core is part of the coolant system and always has coolant flowing through it regardless if the heat is on or not.

 

Then how, can the heater core get buildup , thus causing the heater to not put out a lot of heat......remember Toyota coolant is supposed to be long life

 

I didn't say that it could. I have never seen a blocked heater core in a vehicle with a properly maintained coolant system.
Toyota Coolant is long life. I monitor the coolant in my vehicles every 6 months and have never renewed the coolant in less than 100K on any of them. None have ever had a blockage of any kind. And only 1 needed a thermostat at 80K.

I'll promise you that the heater core see's flow 100% of the time the engine is running.

Believe it or don't. Your call.

 

If the coolant is maintained the heater core shouldn't get plugged but if it does the only way to properly flush it is to remove the hoses and flush it in both directions to get the crud out of it.

 

Because both the inlet and outlet are at the top of the core. Sediment (of any kind) goes in and settles at the bottom.

I've noticed when doing a heater core replacement, often times the old core that comes out will be heavier than the new one in the box. Not a lot heavier but just enough to notice in your hands. Especially on old cars with high mileage.

 

Maybe there is another reason your heater is not warming up enough. Mine’s spicy hot.

 

As others have said the heater core is part of your cooling system. The same liquid circulating through your radiator circulates through your heater core. When you flush your radiator cooling system the heater core is flushed also. However it is possible for your heater core to get clogged up. Sometimes a core can’t be unclogged and you have to replace it. A sign of a clogged core can be a reduction in heat , blowing warm not hot air. Another way to check the function of the core is with the engine running and at operating temperature, both heater hoses should be warm or hot to the touch. If one is cool or just slightly warm you probably have a clogged core.

 

Will flushing the heater core individually flush out the sediment?

 

Could be, here in Houston, folks don’t really pay a lot of attention to heaters, but I spend a lot of time in Dallas, which in the winter is easily 10deg colder.

 

Yes it should if it's not too bad but you still have some heat so flushing it should make it much better.

 

Yup, that’s what I saw in Chris Fix’s you tube video, Now if only I can get the stuck hose off, I’ll get it done.....
Today somebody recommended heating the hose with a hair dryer to help wiggle it off........and really the point of the the thread......how to get the hose off.

 

You can try grabbing it with a pair of pliers and gently twisting it, if the hoses are original and it comes down to cutting it they are relatively inexpensive you just have to match up what you need. Here's Rock Auto's listing of heater hoses.

 

Unless you want to risk doing a heater core.. you really need to slit the hose and peel it off. A new heater hose is way less time and money than removing the dashboard

As far as the flush helping? Maybe, maybe not, i wouldn't get my hopes up too much.. but its still worth trying for sure..

 

Uuhh the pliers are exactly what you shouldn't use.. that'll crimp and deform the soft metal tube, then the clamp won't seal. I'd usually only use pliers on something cast aluminum. The tube metal is too thin..

But i know what you mean, sometimes pliers will work and its all good.. but when it doesn't work out, you're kicking yourself

Ive got a beefy 90 degree pick set specifically for working hoses loose, something to slip between the rubber and metal and work it around.



Maybe bend a metal coat hanger 90 degs and carefully work it in there?

 

Hose removal tool.