Heater Core
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and 2003 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and dangerous. If it is necessary to operate the engine with the vehicle in a closed area such as a garage, always use an exhaust collector to vent the exhaust gases outside the closed area.
- Inspect for evidence of coolant leakage at the heater water hose to heater core attachments. A coolant leak in the heater water hose could follow the heater core tube to the heater core (18476) and appear as a leak in the heater core.
- Check the integrity of the heater water hose clamps.
NOTE:
Testing of returned heater cores reveals that a large percentage of heater cores were good and did not require replacement. If a heater core leak is suspected, the heater core must be tested by carrying out the plugged heater core component test before the heater core pressure test. Carry out a system inspection by checking the heater system thoroughly as follows:
NOTE:
Spring-type clamps are installed as original equipment. Installation and overtightening of non-specification clamps can cause leakage at the heater water hose connection and damage the heater core.