Common questions

Can a clogged heater core on a Dodge Durango be flushed?

Can a clogged heater core on a Dodge Durango be flushed?

A clogged heater core in your Dodge Durango will lead to problems with your air heater system, as well as problems like leaking coolant. It may be possible to flush out the core to get it working again, rather than undertaking the painstaking process of completely replacing the core.

What happens when you flush the heater core?

Allow the engine to cool completely. The coolant system is pressurized when heated, so loosening or disconnecting the heater core hoses while the engine is warm could cause it to spray hot coolant and injure you. Wait a few hours after the last time the engine was running before starting this project.

Can a garden hose be used to flush a heater core?

If not, you can use a garden hose for the same purposes. Place the airline or hose in the outlet hose from the heater core. You will need to use a water hose to flush the system either way, but compressed air may move harder to break blockages. Seal the line.

How do you get coolant out of a heater core?

Point the inlet hose down toward the container. In order to clean the blockage out of the heater core, you will need to force either air or water through the system. As you do so, the coolant, water and grime within the system will be expelled through the inlet hose.

A clogged heater core in your Dodge Durango will lead to problems with your air heater system, as well as problems like leaking coolant. It may be possible to flush out the core to get it working again, rather than undertaking the painstaking process of completely replacing the core.

What’s the best way to flush a heater core?

With the airline or hose sealed as well as you can to the heater hose outlet, turn on the air or water. Allow the pressure to build in the system to remove any clogs. The coolant and grime will drain out of the heater inlet and into the container beneath the vehicle.

Point the inlet hose down toward the container. In order to clean the blockage out of the heater core, you will need to force either air or water through the system. As you do so, the coolant, water and grime within the system will be expelled through the inlet hose.

What happens when a heater core is clogged?

Hot coolant that has passed through other parts of the engine is run through the heater core as air is forced past it and into the cabin of the vehicle to heat it. A clogged heater core will prevent the coolant from passing through it, limiting the amount of heat that can be transferred.

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Ruth Doyle