You Should Know This About Your Car Heater Core & Valves

What Is Heater Core?

A heater core is a radiator-like device that helps in heating the cabin of a vehicle. Through the winding tube of the core, hot coolant from the engine of the vehicle is passed. Exchange of heat takes place between coolant and cabin air. The fins that are attached to the core tubes help to increase the surface for heat transfer to air which is pushed past them, by a fan, thereby the passenger compartment gets heated.

What Are Heater Valves?

The heater control valve (or hot water valve) opens and permits the hot coolant from the engine to pass through the heater core. This, in turn, will heat the air provided to the passenger compartment.

Have a look at the working of the car heater core:

Because it just has a few functional components, the operation of a heater core is simple and straightforward. It operates on an internal combustion engine, with the engine parts being cooled using a water-antifreeze mixture. As a result, during the cooling process, the heated coolant goes above and beyond to provide warmth to the interior of the vehicle. This is how it functions.

The thermostat regulates the temperature of the coolant as soon as the engine is warmed up. The temperature of the air entering the car's interior is controlled by the valve, which limits the amount of coolant that flows through the heater core. A door that guides all incoming air around the heater core can also be used to restrict or block the flow of warm air. When the air conditioning compressor is running, the system does not get heated or re-heated as a result of this.

The mechanism allows drivers to control the valve or door directly in some engine designs, commonly using a lever or rotary knob. The valve or doors are controlled by a mix of thermistors and electromechanical actuators in more complicated systems. This aids in the delivery of air at the user's preferred temperature.

Have a look at the working of the Car heater control valve:

When the water pump is turned on in most automobiles, coolant runs through the heater core. The temperature of the heat coming out of the vents is controlled by a blend door, which directs airflow towards or away from the heater core.

Some vehicles, however, employ a heater control valve to regulate the flow of coolant through the heater core. The heater control valve may be normally closed (stopping coolant flow until triggered) or normally open, depending on the system design (allowing coolant flow until activated).

Some heater control valves are controlled electronically, while others are regulated by a cable or engine vacuum

The problems of the heater core are unique. The only item in your vehicle that can leak into your interior is the heater core when there is an issue. Other components that are leaky, usually drip on the ground. The heater core problem usually occurs due to poor cooling system maintenance. So, it can be messy to deal with heater core problems.

1. You Have Little Or No Heat Inside Your Car

Your car will be running fine where the temperature gauge reads normal and there is no other issue related to the cooling system. But the heater will never warm up when you turn it on. Firstly, check for the malfunctioning of the blower fan by looking at the fuse, circuit, and fan. Then start the car and turn on the AC and then turn the temperature to full heat. You will be able to feel the cold air. Now turn to full heat. You should be able to differentiate between hot and cold air. After this, you can go through the venting options such as defrost vent and floor vent. If this doesn’t work, then there might be problems with the blend door or vent. If this solution doesn’t fix your problem, then you have to replace the heater core.

2. You Smell Coolant Inside Your Vehicle

As you drive, you can easily identify the sweet, fruity smell of the coolant inside your vehicle. This is an indication that the heater core is in the early stages of failure.

3. Your Windows Fog Up

An extreme version of the above-mentioned problem can cause your windows to fog up. The amount of coolant which sprays out of the heater core can form a mist that gets coated on the windows and will be difficult to wash off. This is not good because not only does it block your vision, but breathing ethylene glycol in the coolant can be hazardous as well.

4. You See Sign Of A Coolant Leak Under The Dashboard

The coolant may start dripping down from under the dashboard. Else, you might have already found big, damp coolant stains on your front carpeting.

5. Your Coolant Level Is Dropping, Or Your Engine Is Running Hot

If there is a leak in the cooling system as well as the heater core, then it might cause several problems. A significant amount of coolant will be lost and eventually, the temperature of the gauge will be higher than usual.

Do you want to repair your Heater Core & Valves? If yes, then you surely need some tools to meet the demand of your car body structures. There is no need to worry as we are here to help you out. Have a look at the tools below which you will need while repairing your Heater Core & Valves.

Tool Needed For Heater Core

• New Heater Core

• Screwdriver

Tool Needed For Heater Valve

• Distilled or demineralized water

• Drain pan

• New heater control valve

• New engine coolant

• Pliers

• Ratchet

• Screwdrivers

• Spill-free funnel

Searching for a specific brand for your Heater Core & Valves? In that case, you have arrived at the correct place. All you have to do is have a look below:

• Spectra Premium Industries Heater Core & Valves

• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Heater Core & Valves

• Techsmart Heater Core & Valves

• Four Seasons Heater Core & Valves

• Cooling Depot Heater Core & Valves

• Dorman (Oe Solutions) Heater Core & Valves

We believe that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. So why not learn more about the associated parts of the car Heater Core & Valves? 

• Heater Core

• Heater Valve

• Heater Duct Hose

• Heater Blend Door

• Heater Core Tube

• Heater Core Temperature Sensor

There can be several factors due to which the failure in the Heater Core & Valves might be caused like poor car maintenance, some accident due to which the Heater Core & Valves might get damaged or there might be some flaws during the quality control check at the factory where the car was manufactured. Sometimes it might also happen because of not changing the Heater Core & Valves on time. Whatever the cause might be, the replacement of the Heater Core & Valves is not at all an easy process and if you want to achieve success, then it’s essential to have the correct tools. This is the reason why you should leave the replacement/repair procedure to the skilled mechanics who have the tools and expertise to complete the task. 

The approximate cost for a heater core replacement ranges between $514 and $698. Labor cost is estimated to lie between $199 and $252 whereas the parts are priced between $315 and $446.

For Heater Valve

The approximate cost for a heater control valve replacement ranges between $238 and $267. Labor cost ranges between $91 and $116 whereas the parts are priced between $147 and $151.

Step 1 - Determine that the Heater Core is Broken

If the heater core is not working, then two things might take place: There will be a leak in your car under the dashboard and when you turn on the heater, there won’t be any hot air.

Step 2 - Find Your Heater Core

It can be tricky to find the heater core in every car. You can easily find it through the information in the repair manual of your vehicle and once you find the location, remove them.

Step 3 - Purchasing a New Heater Core

Make sure to get a new one that matches the make and model of your car. You can find them easily at the local auto parts store. 

Step 4 - Cool Your Engine

Do not start the process, when the engine is warm as it can cause burn injuries and more troubles for your engine. Park your vehicle in a shaded area and allow your engine to cool. You can also speed up the process by opening the car hood.

Step 5 - Remove Old Heater Core

Remove the car hood. If you want to remove other parts of the engine, look at your repair manual and follow the instructions. Make sure to remember the things as to how they were attached so that fixing them back will be easier. With the help of a screwdriver, remove the screws and bolts and keep them in place. Remove both the intake and outtake hoses which are fixed to the core and lift them. If there is any coolant, make sure not to spill it.

Step 6 - Attach the New Heater Core

Oppositely fix the new heater core as it was removed. Connect the intake and outtake hoses to the core. Make sure that they are connected to the proper area so that it doesn’t cause any leakage. Place the new heater and bolt them carefully. Once you have fixed it, fit any other engine parts that were removed. Changing the heater core on your own can save a lot of money rather than getting it done at a repair shop. It might be tricky to do it for the first time. But, if the problem arises again in the future, you will know how to change them by yourself.

Step 1 - Disconnect the battery

You will have to loosen the nut and bolt from the negative battery cable end and take off the connector from the battery post. This will avoid any short circuit from affecting the electrical components.

Step 2 - Raise the vehicle.

Place your vehicle on the jack stand if you are not able to reach the lower radiator hose. This will give you better access.

Step 3 - Place the drain pan under the vehicle.

Place a drain pan below the lower radiator hose to catch the coolant that will drain.

Step 4 - Remove the lower radiator hose.

Lose the clamps, twist the hose and then remove the lower radiator hose from the radiator. Make sure it is not stuck. Now drain the engine coolant into the drain pan.

Step 5 - Locate your heater control valve.

You will find the heater control valve near the engine compartment or passenger side firewall. Other parts are found behind the dashboard near the passenger footwell. To know the exact location, refer to the factory service manual.

Step 6 - Remove the glove box assembly.

Open the door of the glove box and find the attachment screws along the outer edge of the glove box. With the help of a screwdriver or ratchet and socket, remove the screws. Now pull the glove box assembly gently to remove it from the dash and separate the electrical connectors which are fixed to the glove box assembly.

Step 7 - Remove the dashboard.

With the help of an appropriate tool, remove the attachment screws. Make sure not to disconnect any electrical connectors. Also, be careful not to remove the wires or any control cables. You will be able to see the heater control valve at this point, but sometimes you will have to remove the heater box.

Step 8 - Remove the heater control valve

Find the mounting bolts or screws that hold the heater control valve in place. With the help of an appropriate tool remove the fasteners and then the valve.

Step 9 - Prepare the hoses.

Before you reattach, clean the interior of the hoses as well as the components that were removed to prevent leakage.

Step 10 - Install the new heater control valve.

Fix the new valve in the same place and orientation as the old one.

Step 11 - Reassemble the dashboard and glove box.

The dashboard, glove box, and other components that were removed have to be reinstalled.

Step 12 - Replace the lower radiator hose.

The lower radiator hose has to be reattached and you will have to tighten the hose clamp.

Step 13 - Refill the cooling system.

Refill the cooling system by using a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled or demineralized water.

Step 14 - Bleed all the air out.

Start the vehicle again to get all the air out of the cooling system. Now turn the heater on high, and allow the vehicle to reach the normal operating temperature. Fill the coolant until the system is full. Check for any leaks. The old coolant has to be disposed of.