How To Unclog a Heater Core - EricTheCarGuy

[@labradormcgraw2409]

This is why Eric's so popular on KZbin. He doesn't edit his vids to exclude any mishaps; we get to see everything - including the mistakes we all make. It also adds humanity to the channel - huge respect to Eric The Car Guy!

[@russellpicco647]

Greatest way to blow out the little veins in that tiny itty bitty little heater core you know what I did Brother I literally ran a garden hose to my hot water heater cuz my garage is next to my house I Put A fitting on it and I had a valve on the hose where I could adjust the pressure I got it hot and then I screwed it to the heater hose and like you said I back flushed it backwards too and you wouldn't believe the rest that came out of there it was red literally red and it worked

[@larryboyd7862]

My car blow hot heat through the defrost by the water but blow cold through the Vince what is it blow hot up top cold what do you think is the hose backwards going to the heater heater core

[@cameronkrider5341]

Thanks Eric. I have tried to reverse flush my heater core about 4 times over the last two years. I even used compressed air. It didn't work. I used your "certain product" and let it soak for about an hour before flushing out the heater core and now finally, after two very cold winters, I have HEAT once again.!!! Thanks for all your videos.

[@eneb8937]

So what's the certain product? I keep watching and can't figure it out. Thanks

[@cameronkrider5341]

@@eneb8937 CLR

[@eneb8937]

@@cameronkrider5341 thanks

[@TheJohnv1980]

How much psi did you run thru it

[@rondie.x53]

Loved it. I am 65 and still fix my own car because of people like you . Thankyou

[@jeffmorga7111]

A friend's shop, he has these old style fixtures.. Air and water at the same time.. Turn valve for the water, squeeze valve for the air.. The old school way to flush the engine coolant.. When you get the system flushed there.. It's flushed.. This guy ( in the video ) is doing GREAT WORK.. Not everyone cares about their work.. I can tell.. He's one of the best.. If you're in central DELAWARE Capital AIR conditioning and radiator.. Dover DELAWARE.. Another one of the very best.. No short cuts, the REAL DEAL..

[@covinaca5312]

Ten years after this video was posted I used this method to fix my heater. I even spayed myself with dirty antifreeze. Thumbs up for saving me money !

[@bigshortstack2929]

Eric, instead or CLR, use Brake Clean. Disconnect the hoses from the core; connect a hose to the bottom core nipple that is long enough to hang down below the engine and into a catch container. Then, spray the Brake Clean into the other nipple until the core is pukeing out nothing but the brake cleaner. This may take a couple of cans of the cleaner, but is definitely "cleaner" to use and less messy. This technique is very good for cleaning out AC lines, cores, condensers, etc.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

I came back to watch this video again. When I am worn out and tired, and feel that I have no need to learn I go back to an easy car subject, or to a video that I've already seen. You see, repetition is the key to learning. I love cars, so repetition doesn't bother me. EVERY time I come back and rewatch a video by this gentleman, I still manage to learn something. It isn't a waist of time like a rerun on television. :) Ericthecarguy is one of my mechanic mentors. There are few that I hold in as high as regard as him. It's impossible for any mechanic to make one video on one subject and cover everything there is to know. Eric is quite thorough, but I do enjoy my other mentors on the same subject, because every mechanic has a different way of fixing something. Even if it's mostly the same, it's still worth while. If you only know one way to fix something....what if it didn't work? Now you're stuck. All of my repairs that I've done before this video study, have dropped down to 1/3 of the time that I needed before. If it's a repair I do regularly even better. New jobs take 1/2 to 2/3 of the time that I took in the past. In fact, I took him so seriously on my first run through of this that I was oblivious to the rich humor in this video! :) So funny!

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

***** I'm glad we're both inspired by good videos like this. And as for not laughing during the video...it's a frequent personal fault. I'm always working to see humor now and can make some customers laugh all day long because of this. lol My personal default is serious, but I'm glad I've learned to stretch. :) Glad I helped you laugh too.

[@bizzysmiley]

***** u

[@charleswilson4598]

I couldn't agree more. I started helping my Dad work on his cars in the late 40's and 50's. He was a very good mechanic, then started working on my own cars when I got older. No you tube in those days. In fact no computers either. When I started turning old you tube showed up and I have found it invaluable for looking at car repairs. I talked to a mechanic at a local repair shop ( a good one ) and those guys are aware of you tube and use it also. I replaced the intake manifold on my '01 F150 a while back and I never would have attempted it until I found this great video on you tube showing in detail what I needed to know. So, hurrah for Eric and guys like him who are willing to spend the time to show us how they do things.

[@cindymorris913]

i'm a single parent with no money to waste, i love the way you help compromise on tools and technique without spending alot. your videos are very easy to understand. thank you.

[@tmartin67]

Thanks for the idea of using air to reverse flush the heater core. I used water before and had no luck. I used air, then filled with water and reverse flush with air for an entire gallon. Then the CLR, and reversed flush with air again, and did another gallon of water. I did this entire process three times. Then ran water reverse through so much easier. It just flowed! I now have heat in my car that I have not had for the entire three years I have owned the Jeep. Thanks again Eric!

[@blackbear4903]

Just tried this method today on my 1995 GMC Sierra. Just as disgusting as the video but I ended up with heat in the old girl! So glad I found this video. Had some pretty miserable mornings with frozen windshields. This was a game changer.

[@ellenmcgarry6722]

I love the fact the you are human not a guy who pretends to be perfect. You show that all does not always go perfectly...Thank you...I will continue to follow your posts!!

[@Xtian62]

Eric, you just saved me many hours of work, and potentially many hundreds of $. Thank you for this. My 21 year old Honda CR-V now has heat, where it didn't before. I built a little rig with a valve and a pressure regulator for the compressed air. Worked like a charm. Thanks again.

[@kenwilks6289]

Thanks for this Eric! My son's 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse was blowing cold air. I could hear the blend door moving, so I figured it had to be the heater core. That little trick with compressed air worked like a charm. I used duct tape instead, but I split it in half, so it was about the width of electrical tape. It also had a 170F thermostat, so I switched it back the the OEM recommended 180F. We have heat now.

[@slock23]

This was such a help! I paid to have my cooling system flushed twice because my heat stopped working. Finally I did exactly these steps - I used a cooling system flushed and clean product from Advance Auto and let it sit in the heater core for 10 minutes. I blew out the product with a compressor catching it in my garden spray container. There were giant clumps of rust that blew out, and now my heat works for the first time in two years!!!

[@667crash]

Thanks to Eric The Car Guy!! I generally followed the process that you laid out with minor exceptions? I cut the supply and return heater hoses and bonded them together with a 5/8-inch splice so I could drive the car. I attempted to blow out the heater core and encountered significant resistance! OK!! I filled the heater core with CLR and waited 2-hours. I attached a female garden hose end to the return side hose leading to the heater core and drove to the local auto parts store where they have an exterior hose with 60-PSI water pressure. Turned on the water with a fairly instantaneous rush of water from the heater core that wasn't as dramatic as I had anticipated relative to color, but the volume was seriously dramatic. Put it all back together and how the heater works GREAT!! I seriously recommend following this guys general process. THANKS

[@shanereimer133]

Eric did you expect 12 years ago to be as popular as you are now? Amazing video, excellent information, and you do great work.

[@wapman66]

You are my new favorite subscription. Thanks for being informative and entertaining. Seeing that you don't mind showing the slightly embarrassing stuff, is a testament to your character... sir. So you know, I checked out this video because of a recommendation from Todd Harrison. And I will highly recommend your videos to anyone else that is looking for automotive tutorials... and stay dirty.

[@Odaskills]

Wow, thanks jave 2006 Chevy Equinox doing the same changed, pump, thermostat and heater sensor still no heat....

[@vickialbanese2835]

wapman66 Eric is informative and being that I am a woman it’s great to be able to watch and learn something I can do without a mans help if I need too. I’m 62 and love this stuff. I wish I had more tools though!

[@andrewholtsclaw7822]

I know this is a comment on an old video, but I love the idea of spraying silicon on the hose to help the clamps. Brilliant! Also, safety glasses Eric; safety glasses. Getting that stuff in the eyes is NOT FUN. It only took me one time, and now I won't touch a potentially splashing fluid without 'em.

[@miked8234]

I followed his instructions and it worked. I cut the heater hose up by the core and hooked up a compressor that I rented from Home Depot for $30. I diluted the CLR just a little before pouring it in. I spliced the hose back together using a 5/8" dual plastic connector I bought from Pep Boys. It was a messy job, but the car has great heat and the heater core isn't leaking. I think it all cost me $80. The shops said I may have needed a new heater core installed for $1,000. I'm happy.

[@deangeorge4982]

I have been on several DIY auto projects over the past 2 years. I haven't done this kind of work in 30 years. I have found that you have been the best at step by step instructions on the part(S) I am working on. I am going to try this on my 98 Honda Accord heater core as it barely puts out heat. I will post another comment once I am done. Thanks Car Guy!

[@allianceofsteel]

I've personally developed a method for using CLR to "rott" out cooling systems. I've done it on several with amazing results, I drain everything out, flush with water until you only have water in it, fill it up with a jug of clr, top it off distilled water, drive it around a couple days, drain it, flush it completely out and I do mean completely out, you don't want any clr left in the system when you are done, refill with distilled water and antifreeze. You might ask me why distilled water, well I started using it because the water here is so mineralized, I was changing out thermostats that literally had rocks growing on them from the mineral content of the water... that stuff can block wherever the coolant slows down or cools down in the system. Over kill but... how I do it and have done it for ages now. Awesome video, I've had my share of mouthfuls, facefuls, hairfuls of antifreeze.... *thumbs up*

[@Krankie_V]

Not to mention the chlorine in most municipal water supplies has a tendency to accelerate corrosion in cooling systems. Distilled water is always a good idea

[@richardgonzales3226]

You don't want CLR going threw your coolant system I wouldn't run it through the whole system just heater core

[@nicholas8nj]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't flush out engine core but tried to squeeze the hose to get rid of bubbles

[@barryellis6663]

I know what you mean a out hard water. I live in Oklahoma and some of these small towns have rocks coming out of their faucets.

[@oftgood]

Thank you for showing your mistakes. It is nice to see the little hick-ups to avoid them. This is really helpful.

[@freeheeler09]

Yep, thanks for the humor and honesty! The bloopers make your video. Also, the rest of it was instructive.

[@reddwarf60]

Thanks for the vid Eric! Suggestion: Get an inexpensive ball valve with a 90 degree throw lever (like you probably have plumbed elsewhere in your shop air system) and screw an air hose QD fitting in one end and an appropriately-sized hose (singe barb) fitting in the other to create a "friendlier" throttle for your compressed air. Also: On later model cars a clogged cabin air filter can greatly reduce air flow over the heater core or AC evaporator, significantly diminishing the system output into the cabin. Enough that it can throw off the pressure reading on your AC manifold gauge set. Stay Dirty indeed!

[@willlee2332]

I thought about doing this because replacing the heater core in a 2009 Ford Explorer is a HUGE undertaking and mine didn't leak. I'm glad Eric did it because it made me think it would work - and it DID! I would have gotten rid of the car before replacing the heater core, so Eric saved my car - LOL! Thanks for posting this.

[@jcblur311]

You the man Eric. I had no heat in my ride for the last two winters. Granted I'm in a southern part of the country where it almost never snows, and it gets below freezing maybe 30 days out of the year, but it still sucked having to bundle up and wear winter gloves when driving. I was just about to bite the bullet and buy/install a new heater core, when I came across this video. Thanks man. Keep up the great work.

[@RawSauce338]

Did flushing it work?

[@HeavyChevyAZ105]

DUDE!!! thank you so much! I just tried this on my 01 Chevy Tahoe. it absolutely works now my heater is blowing hot. thank you so much I was about to replace the heater core. and on my model of truck you have to remove the entire Dash to get to it thank God for you and this video saving me two days work!!

[@pdubs2k10]

HAHAHAHA! Eric...you rock! Love this video! Actually...I am having the EXACT same problem as described in my 2001 Caravan SE (Shorty). This past weekend, I replaced the thermostat (thinking that was the problem) and did a flush and fill. Of course (my luck), that didn't fix it. So I determined with the help of my buddy (since I'm more of a techy guy and not a mechanic) that the problem was most likely a blockage in the heater core. I was scared to even attempt this and had succumbed to just hiring out, as my dad always did. After watching this....I think I can handle it (under the close eye and guidance of my buddy). Thanks for doing what you do!

[@tullycw6453]

This video was perfect, informative and entertaining. This fixed my 1999 Grand Cherokees heat issue. I also got a face full of antifreeze! Thank you so much!

[@timothytate3968]

Thanks Eric for putting this video out to show how to flush out a heater core. My heater is blowing out cold air and everything is working. But the top heater hose is cool to the touch but the bottom heater core is hot so that little tip that you gave as an indication that your heater core is plugged up is a great tip so that explains to me that I may need to flush my heater core out. And then see if I get hot heat coming blowing through my heat vents. Again thanks for putting this video out you gave really good tips.

[@kevinrheault791]

I know you're like a KZbin celebrity and probably don't read your comments because your really busy. But I thought I had to stop and say thank you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am mechanically inclined more or less a backyard mechanic. However your videos are much more informative and straight to the point. And you give advice on how to make it easier and quicker. Your videos have helped me many times in the past few years. They are all much better then the rest you click on. For that I thank you for all the money you saved me and my friends for that matter. You truly are proof that working smarter not harder is the way to go. Your videos have helped me not work harder for a few years now so thank you. From my family to yours Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@7jack7]

Thanks for the great vid. You might try incorporating a blow gun into the operation. It allows a lot more control of the air over a pair of vice grips. Shouldn't be too hard to adapt it to the heater hose.

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

Had my own temporary fix in early January weather when temps were near zero. Did it when no air compressor, heated garage, or garden hose were available. Switched the inlet and outlet hoses in reverse, and it was good for about a month and a half until the weather started to break.

[@dondesnoo1771]

John Doe used to reverse each year seemed to work easy remedy good idea to flush too entire system😎

[@tweeter05ify]

This guy is legit 100% all the BS plus the knowledge and level headed thank you for sharing these videos and info with all of us really appreciate it 👍

[@warriorrod2382]

Worked like a charm, heat once again, 2007 Mini Cooper r56 s. Unhooked the heater core hoses from the thermostat housing. Bleeding the system after a flush is very important. Thanks for the third time!

[@jasonhunting7443]

Took my 2017 in for the same problem and they quoted me 1900.00 to replace the core. Going to try this fix next weekend. Thanks for this!

[@vanrijn1669]

Following your great site for years. Thanks for showing us shade tree DIYers how things get done. Appreciate the fact you show us how things can go wrong since most of us have this happen even with our best efforts to avoid it. Thanks.

[@hectordeanda9133]

Would you recommend flushing the whole cooling system with CLR if there’s rust throughout the cooling system? Any reprocussions?

[@ChellyinCali25]

Hello Eric!!!! This has been the most useful video I have watched on youtube. I have gone three winters now with no heater because the shop I took my car into said that flushing my heater core did not work and that I would need to replace the heater core. I came across your video and your steps made it look pretty easy so decided I could try this before taking it in.. and it worked! Thank you =]

[@princeboateng694]

Chelly Sohn do not trust a fucking mechanic you don't know. Like you said they said that they flushed the heater core and it did not work so they can buy you and a new heater core and replace it and I know that shut is expensive since they gotta pull out almost your whole dash in the front. They wanna make a quick buck from people that don't know. I went to pep boys for a wheel alignment they came out with a list of bs but the most funny one was they said I needed new brake pads and rotors in order for them to do the alignment funny because I myself changed those items two months before taking my car there for the alignment. Crooks I tell you.

[@TheAttacker732]

@@princeboateng694 The mechanic I had flush my coolant & replace my thermostat told me I needed a new heater core, (at one point it was a bit low on coolant, and I think the universal that my dad put in permanently gunked it) but his shop is too small to do it. (My Ram 1500 barely fit through the door for his 2 bay garage, small shop) However, he also didn't know any shops with enough floor room to do it either. Basically, "Look, you need it done, but you're on your own finding someone who can do it."

[@buddha65281]

I just replaced my heads and had no heat.. I knew immediately that my system needed BURPED. Opened rad cap and my coolant blew out all over (thank goodness it was still cooler than normal temp), I then turned heat on high and let car run.. immediately I had burped the radiator and re-topped off.. Heat it doing great again. Moral of this story, make sure you "burp" the system too.. could be air locked. Great video too, loved the mistakes as it shows we all have similar issues.

[@pyro5050]

been fighting with a POS Dodge Journey 2012 that lost all heat to passenger side. did a water flush, checked all blend doors, actuator motors ect. was literally looking on how to replace a heater core when i popped into here, and skipped part of the video, heard ya say "this 'product'" and thought "shit, i got some of that sitting in storage. whats another 30 min of flushing shit out?" sure as shit, with air, lots of foam, water after and topped with coolant, burped the system *again* it appears i have heat again. it would appear something is stuck in the heater core, gunking it up. i dont want to replace it, cause dodge hates people. Thanks so much! you literally saved me a few hundred bucks and a few dozen hours and taking apart the entire bloody dash of the SUV... Thank you so much!

[@perry9251]

Another great video from Eric. I enjoy his videos a lot. He is humble, honest and keeps it simple. And kind of funny. My opinion, he's the best on you tube.

[@anomysafad803]

Big point of this video is change your dam anti freeze, so you don't gunk up your heater core! Preventive maintenance.

[@python178]

+anomy safad exactly

[@mohammedalhaiby7038]

+Bruce B فات

[@8jallin97]

+anomy safad I have no worries, I use water.

[@TheBikemaster94]

I used sealant to fix the water pump leax and it clogged the heater core.

[@johnferguson7235]

+TheBikemaster94 You must have tried using a very large amount of sealant. There shouldn't be a great problem sealing the pump using the correct gasket and torquing the bolt to the correct spec. Water pumps are cheap. I bet that you will buy one next time. Sorry to hear that you made a boo boo and messed up your car.

[@jackiechan6460]

My cat died because it drank coolant. My older brother was working on his car, dropped a bunch of coolant on the ground. I didn't think anything of it besides of how it may stain or how messy it looked. At that point I knew nothing about cars. Later that day I find my beloved cat dead in the yard. Her eyes hazed over with a silver color. In disbelief I shook her around a bit, trying to get her to move. She didn't. Found a shovel, carried her over, dug a hole, and buried her. Don't let this happen to your animals. I got pretty emotional writing this. Her name was Grimlin. Had a very unique meow and flatish head. Extremely friendly and loyal. Which is strange for a cat it seems. Never ran from me. I called her hamburger head because of how flat her head was, and she used to nap with me on warm sunny days. I used to wake up to her licking my head which turned a small part of my hair into a cowlick. I miss my cat now.

[@kjamison5951]

JacksTip It’s the sweet taste that animals pick up. That’s a crying shame. I am sorry to hear about your loss. We have lost several cats over the years to old age. It’s still a huge wrench on your emotions because you really connect with them. Keep hold of the happy memories to give you strength.

[@bertdemeule4802]

JacksTip 1

[@bertdemeule4802]

MatchstalkMa

[@Laggin6]

My condolences to you. How sad to lose a pet that way.

[@benjaminjohnson8431]

Lost a pet to antifreeze also. But was a neighbor. Who knows whether it was intentional.

[@darlalarcom9739]

I practically invented this idea of CLR. It works. Be sure to douche it out completely. Preferably use boiling hot water to rinse out. Good vid

[@jakdalton7342]

1st video I've seen of you w/out the beard! Going back 13 yrs ago, I can tell you have learned a lot 😊. Thanks for showing us the mistakes we coukd have made. Hope things are going well for you in 2023!

[@jdrs4214]

Eric, I have the highest respect for you man!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@Liberty4Ever]

Most cooling systems run at 15 psi and the heater core won't be rated for much more than that so I would be very careful about using an air compressor unless I had a regulator set to perhaps 25 psi or less which isn't much air pressure. I would just flush it with a garden hose running very slowly. There are flush kits for that. There's also a radiator flushing chemical for $8 that I would use instead of CLR which could corrode the inside of the heater core and cause more problems later.

[@stevenhorn8682]

When I turn on my heat, it comes out hot on the left side and cool on the right. When I switch to the AC the cold comes out on the right side and cool on the left. Would this be a heater core problem. I checked the actuator and it is working right. I don't have a duel system. Just one knob for the fan, one for the heat and cold and one for the different positions. I did like your video and have now subscribed. Very informative

[@brianjirish]

I'm having the same problem. I'm hopping someone with knowledge can pin-point this for us.

[@scarface-39]

I know you said the actuator works but it sounds like a blend door issue maybe not opening or closing all the way?

[@brianjirish]

@@scarface-39 it was actually one of my actuator. I ended up just replacing all 4 of them. 3 of the 4 are right behind climate control but the 4th one was the hardest. I had to remove the whole dash. It was behind and up above the glove box(reciprocating blend door).

[@scarface-39]

brianjirish Glad you got it fixed those things are a pain in the you know what sometimes!

[@amazingmrtitts]

Loved this video, I didn’t even think about cleaning the heater core. I’m gonna try this, cause changing the core in an 85 Toyota is a half day job and it’s 18 degrees outside. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@juliantitian1623]

Videos are a bit long but man they’re worth it, I learn something new on every one. My guy!

[@MiltonNGreeneIII]

Great video. Thanks for keeping it real. It's not always done flawlessly. Also, thanks for caring about the environment.

[@gomeztimothy11]

Suggestion? Wouldn't a pressure regulator help with throttling the air and be a little safer to control? Also, pumps only put out about 10 lbs of pressure, give or take, so it would be advisable to control the amount if air to around that pressure.

[@TimSaundersC4]

Eric great video. I had my mechanic do the same thing to my Chevrolet uplander and now I have heat. One question is that they told me white stuff came out off the heater core. What could that be?

[@doncox2146]

Calcium and lime deposits from hard water

[@dewaynemaiden]

@@doncox2146 from using tap water with the antifreeze instead of distilled water

[@chrissibennett3931]

Love you Eric! You don't bullshit and you get it figured out. My ex gave our daughter his 02 Honda Accord and he had put head gasket sealant and pepper in the radiator, obviously, later on, it's all plugged up. I was going to buy a new heater core and replace it for her, because he had flushed it with just water a while back, but I'm going to try this to see if I can't save it before buying a new one. Love your resourcefulness! Thanx again :)

[@ClarVad]

Fantastic video. I replaced my thermostat and there was no change. As there are no leaks elsewhere I am convinced that the heater core is clogged. Thanks!!! Will return with update!

[@traciemahoney6989]

You're ideas as usual are VERY helpful, but I did LMFAO! Thank you for leaving that in. I don't feel like such an idiot knowing it happens to other mechanics too! Keep 'em coming!!

[@bmfilmnut]

Another excellent video. In my opinion, you have some of the best auto repair videos on KZbin but that's why I''m surprised about a couple things in this video. First, I'm suprised that you turned the air on full blast rather than slowly cranked up the pressure. And you did that more than once. Second, I know you are big on safety but this is an instance where safety glasses were important. I confess that I rarely wear safety glasses when working on cars and truck but I would have in this case. Third, I'm not sure why you often don't show a product name. You can't be sued. It's not a copyright issue. The information would be useful to your viewers and the manufacturer of the product would be glad that you used it. My only guess is that maybe you don't want to take responsibility if it goes bad. In this case, it looked like you were using CLR. I'm wondering if a dilute mixture of vinegar would work. I use it to flush cooling systems before replacing coolant. Other than those things, I wish I had seen this video years ago when I had a plugged heater core in a minivan. The factory procedure was horrendous and involved removing the entire dashboard, etc. That would be necessary with that car if it was leaking but it was just clogged. I'll file your method in my brain for future reference. Thanks much and thanks for posting these helpful videos.

[@danseman1]

Entertaining video. The coolant splash was funny. We've all had similar experiences. That product, I believe CRC?? may be caustic??..Simple household white vinegar works great for cleaning a variety of things and won't harm you. And it's cheaper.

[@zackman191]

CLR

[@HumboldtNonProfit]

I believe the vinegar needs to be heated to work. It is a chemical reaction combined with the heat that cleans. There was no heat in this method so the vinegar wouldn't work. I am not sure about the CLR, I have two bottles, but am afraid of using it. It turns into a very thick white cream that looks like it would be difficult to flush out? Also may be really bad for aluminum parts...

[@johnquinones1854]

Breakin

[@garrydonnelly6433]

@@HumboldtNonProfit CLR will damage aluminium so don't use hit here.

[@cheeko_914]

CRC is a brand

[@flyby1807]

Thanks Eric, I had the same idea of using air pressure instead of water pressure on my Corolla but wasn't 100% sure. Now that I saw your video, I am more incouraged to give it a try. Thanks for all your videos. They have helped me a great deal.

[@mebcool]

Hello Eric, Haven't seen this one till today. Ha ! LoL I enjoyed the video immensely. Just a couple of suggestions if you haven't figured it out yet (I'm in the year 2021 now, almost 12 years after you did this) . . . 1. use a hose clamp on your compressor line going into the heater hose. there just happens to be a perfectly usable one on that same hose about 12" from your hand ! 2. get a 1/4 turn valve on your air hose chuck so that you don't have to use your needle nose vise-grips with rubber hose on the tips. That tool belongs in the pliers drawer taking up space for a more important jobs later down the road. I've got a pair of those myself, an idea I picked up from one of your brake videos several years ago. You don't need to damage that air hose either, they cost too much. Cheers ETCG Uncle Vic said it !

[@ryanabalos1163]

"stay dirty, work clean!" I like that. Ryan A

[@stacimcclendon3907]

I've got to change my heater core...but this was hilarious to watch! Thanks!

[@flinch622]

Hope it went well. My comment is way late, but every once in a while hoses can delaminate internally [if they are multi layer] and block their own flow. A leak or complete failure usually is right behind such an event since mechanical structure is weak, and blisters sometimes form in the outer jacket. It's kind of rare, but since hoses are relatively cheap... I check them first. An internal flap may behave like a check valve when testing: flows ok one way, but not the other. Air works for testing, but you need to regulate pressure down to near normal operating pressures. Speaking of regulators, I hope one of Eric's friends buys him one for christmas - 120psi gives a faceful (or worse) when things are opened up. Nothing like a faceful when it's winter...

[@pennypug97]

I put CLR in my 2000 Ford Ranger heater core and let it sit for an hour. flushed it out a dozen times and hooked up a garden hose which ran freely. still very little Heat

[@Persian5word]

make sure you bleed all the air out of the system. each car has bleeder point. also it might be the case that heater control valve doesn't allow full flow even tho is fully open

[@sgtpeeper68]

Does your Ranger have a temperature gauge? Have you verified it reaches operating temp after running for a sufficient amount of time? If it doesn't, it might be your thermostat is stuck open. That will cause a reduction in heat output.

[@pt324157]

@@Persian5word not every car has a bleeder valve for the coolant usually u need to leave the radiator cap off and warm up the engine till the thermostat opens

[@rockyfish3115]

People giving Eric attitude he knows what he's doing, if the core is completely blocked then yeah use low pressure if not crack on it pushes through better, I've linked up gardening hoses and even a jet wash knee one occasion but I made sure there not completely blocked 1st

[@goodlowe6532]

Lol I feel much better now I was using water to flush mine today and literally tried using everything in the house to make the connection. Soo much water all over my car port. Love the realness of ur vids man! 😂

[@peterdiamant164]

Hey Eric, you can also use a valve stem and an air chuck to blow out the heater core. Diamant Motors, Toronto Canada.

[@leedress2187]

safety glasses next time maybe? that stuff is bad for your eyes.

[@arnoldcustom]

just a big warning, any time your back flushing a heater core from auto motive, please use a presser regular, weather your using air presser or a garden hose from your water tap, set the presser regulator to no more then 20 psi, city water presser can be up to or more then 60 psi, air compressor can be from 120 to 175 psi, it happened to me with a good heater core, I use a garden hose, as I turned the water on, I could hear a sound of expanding, POW, WATHER WAS EVERY WARE the like new heater core blow wide open, and had expanded so tight in the heater box I had a hard time getting it out of the heater box, never mind the big job to get at the heater core to replace it, what had happened, the core was so plugged up, it didn't let any water though, it loaded that core to the full water presser of 62 psi, these automotive cores are not made of heavy copper unlike your water to water or water to air heat exchangers in your home on your hot water heating system. so automotive ones will expand and blow open some were in the tubs or seams, I found out the hard way some 40 years ago, use a regulator, if it don't go at 30 psi drain it and add strail dary clean as we use in home heating hot water rads, let site 1 hour

[@adamsroka432]

Or clean the system and replace the heater core, we all know it cannot all be cleaned without total replacement, unlike all the quick fix people.

[@Rick-xz7nw]

Is Racism your main feeling?

[@nantahalarat]

@@Rick-xz7nw trying to understand what he was writing was the "main feeling".

[@miclfolu2]

Eric you save the day again! As many videos I have seen flushing out a heater core process. I've sound your process seems to be a lot more practical and less time consuming then all the videos I have seen.. Thanks again for all your help.

[@miclfolu2]

Sorry about that had (Never Correct) on.. Found..

[@stanmorton8975]

we knew what you meant....@@miclfolu2

[@tomprice9527]

The best how too I have ever watched . Really explained what he was talking about

[@lovecapitalismnosocialism1580]

Don’t ever use an air gun like that you’ll blow out the heater core and you’ll be leaking all over the inside of your car

[@Boss-ve8rl]

2019 and the car markers still refuse to make the heater system easier to get to and work on

[@johnb9607]

Especially dodges

[@MrPhotodoc]

"David's Farm". Now THAT is old. I think he got removed from YT for some "issues".

[@Lisa-ub6zl]

Thanks so much! I was sitting here cold watching your video and decided to just kick it one time to see if I would get heat anyway and dang if it didn't work! I was so glad to feel some heat on me!

[@ShadyExports]

Great video, unhooking the hoses in the front made this job super easy. Using compressed air is also great for this job and way less hassle than trying to use the garden hose. My heater is back in tip top shape! Follow his advice it works great people!

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

i use a water hose and back flush the heater core. The high flow and volume of the water hose doesn't blow up the heater core like compressed air might as it usually runs at 150psi... Then to go one step further if you park your car on some sort of hill to where the radiator cap/ Fill is the highest point of the engine then all of the coolants air pockets will come right out...

[@sonper22]

love your videos but this one just made me laugh... mean that in a good way Eric use your videos aaaalot thanks... had a good laugh. :):)

[@juliejcoats2460]

Your video was very informative & really quite entertaining & that's a plus.. Being cute too is a definitely another plus lol Thank You I haven't had any Heat in my Dodge Dakota for over a month..So I will try this tomorrow..

[@RocknWithRobin]

Yes

[@asian1erTheDestroyer]

4:45 money shot lol

[@ishish9283]

😂😂😂😂

[@seanharris6434]

ETCG.....Super helpful video as I'm going thru the same issue with a 99F150. And dropping the $800-$1000 to fix it is/was not in my budget....on top of that, living in the north (Minnesota) there's always the possibility of pieces and parts just rusting to all get out. Anyways that's for this. I appreciate your efforts!!

[@gmat1413]

As an old grandma would trust you to work on my old truck. Thanks also for being an envioronmentalist. Rock on GT

[@FargenDog]

.... and this is why we wear safety goggles right Eric?

[@ijsbtwfwiwymmv]

5:35 Okay kids if we've learned anything... WEAR EYE PROTECTION!!!

[@danielalien]

Lol at carefully using the spill-free funnel after previously blasting the entire engine bay with gunky anti-freeze :P

[@2028end]

danielalien, hahahah ... that's what I was thinking too! The whole engine looked like a total mess and we're carefully using a spill free funnel. hahahaha

[@davidraybould6987]

Hey Eric I was gonna fill the lines with CLR then get a inline fuel pump and make it a closed loop, hook the wires to the battery and let it circulate backwards for 15 min. Then drain and replace with antifreeze and hook all hoses up. Do you think that will work better? Just a idea I had stewing in my head

[@rogersweeney7071]

I did this on a 2008 Lexus. A head gasket sealer was used some time ago. I belive sludge buildup thank to the driver's side of the heater core. Passenger side had heat but the driver-side did not. So, I used a small 4-7 pounds of pressure water pump to circulate CLR from a 5 gallon bucket and back to the 5-gallon bucket. I let it run 2 hours. That fixed the heater core.

[@stevenfisher7778]

Use safety glasses too.

[@suntoritime]

Nothing like a snug orifice on a cold winter's evening.

[@SirEpifire]

Indeed! lol Nothing like it.

[@hectorcontreras6356]

key takeaway, “try not to damage the hoes” 3:07 and or “hurt them...that much” 4:02

[@flash7711]

But seriously folks.....Eric is a great help in my automotive adventures

[@baileywhanau]

Hi Eric.. I'm just wondering.... Instead of back flushing under pressure... what would happen we were to simply reverse the hoses, so the inlet becomes the outlet etc. Would this really matter seeing as the water flows both ways? Could this be an alternative method to dislodge any gunk for a few 1,000 miles with hot coolant... then do a system flush at later date and new antifreeze etc? What's your thoughts?

[@druno82]

Jeep with a clogged heater core. Imagine that :)

[@adnelpandur3357]

Same here dam jeeps lol

[@jamiepitts3389]

If only people changed their coolant.... 😆

[@mds2465]

Why are you hiding the fact that it's a CLR bottle?

[@mds2465]

Heck there are millions of people who use commercial products in their videos, does the company sue them? Probably not. And it's not like nobody knows what he's using anyways. I know he doesn't show license plates in his videos but that's understandable since that's personal property. But brand names... I just don't see how they could sue him for merely using their product that he bought in HIS video.

[@aronjohn84]

GEEEE I wonder why.....

[@eliresnick]

Is it fear of a lawsuit, or does the author object to the fact that whatever company made whatever product is in that heater core is not paying him for this advertisement?

[@ashtonmurch2142]

"Tastes like maple syrup" .....*dies*

[@fm00078]

THAT Epitaph will be on his Tombstone. 💀

[@Obeijin]

Yes , it can kill ...

[@StoicThrower]

I was glad to see you stated the effects of antifreeze on pets. A lot of people don't realize its impact on the local wildlife when they just leave it out in an open container.

[@samiam247]

Great job you're a stellar mechanic, could you teach me how to install a regulator on my compressor and one of those "T" fittings on the heater hose so I can flush the system? and which is better, snap on or snap off tools?

[@thomassmith3951]

i used a garden hose and a $1.99 nozzle and now i have great heat.

[@cadauctions31]

Eric you need some heat in your garage bud!!!!!

[@KiranTaker270]

4:45 Eric's reaction XD

[@mytube3662]

Eric great video it's not often that I need heat here in Florida but I'm needing to do this myself to my F150 that has no heat. Thanks for the helpful video. PS I think I will put a clamp on the hose where the electrical tape was use a zip tie on the hose going into the bottle and use a 3/8" ball valve I have laying around here to avoid the face full of coolant. Live and learn, or in this case watch and learn. Thanks

[@kimberlieverschoor3814]

🤣🤣 Best how to videos out there!! My 15 yr old son is learning how to work on his 06 Jeep Commander and just replaced the heater core hoses! Just one problem, he probably should have flushed it first!! Anyway, the way you show it, he doesn’t have to cut those brand new hoses!!! Hooray!! Thank you!