Fix WEAK/COLD CAR HEAT with VINEGAR - How to flush your heater core

[@1stzjtruck706]

I was just doing a heater core flush on the wife’s truck due to no heat in the cab. Got out and felt the hoses one was hot the other was cold so I knew that the core was clogged. Blew it out both ways and man was it dirty for some reason. Have a Merry Christmas

[@ryanwilson6162]

What impressed me the most is that you didn't have to put the system under immense pressure. Nice work, thanks for the tips!

[@maxpain7197]

Vinnigar is acidic and will eat aluminum.

[@mcmaldek]

​@@maxpain7197 thats crazy its not that fkn acidic...

[@maxpain7197]

@@mcmaldek Bull shit. Look it up before you look like a fool.

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Douglas.I put in a new radiator,heater core,t-stat,water pump,and all new hoses on my Dodge Ram with the 4.7L and I used the Zerex G05,no problems so far.....The heater core was a PITA....lol....

[@rigom.2853]

Holy crap what a coincidence, I've recently been hearing rushing water once and a while around the center console/glove box area. Heat has been really good and temp gauge is normal but definitely worth a check.

[@jaysmith5084]

Prestone antifreeze makes a flush kit and comes with a cleaner but hey this is better because you don't have to chol your heater hoses to do it .

[@johnnybell5000]

I just did this. Worked great on my 2017 Ram. I used some compressed air carefully at a very low pressure to help blow the water and then the vinegar through, in both directions. Now my truck breathes fire! 🔥

[@357bullfrog9]

Mine got weak this winter. Soon as it gets above ohh crap temp I'm gonna try this

[@Trollet456]

Reason 3 for bad heat: Faulty thermostat

[@jtmoffroad]

Great vid as always. been needing motivation to flush the heater core on the avalanche. Feelin better about it now!

[@jerrypike7496]

Can you use drano to flush with

[@RocHopn]

I live in a warm weather state. Heat is not needed but AC is a must.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I hear you bud..

[@97warlock]

Dont use the BUCKET, INSTEAD use a wide pan such as a Dish pan etc etc, something with some width & size to it, not so much Highth. I use a 20"x 14" by about 6" tall to catch fluid in, almost impossible to miss or overshoot the pan. - its like a toilet,but the hole is 3 feet wide

[@robertroberts7971]

Best video I have seen on this problem 👍

[@brentdutcher2875]

Reading is hard. 😆😆 Have a good Christmas, I am tearing the front part of the engine off on my 01 xj. So nice to have time off to do it. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@DEInTheGarage]

Good luck with that bud! I hope Santa bring you nothing but good luck with that

[@terrysmith8133]

nice con rod on the bench. i think there are two types of vinegar, which one should be used and why? which way does the coolant flow in the heater core, in the bottom or the top hose?

[@wirerat]

I had the water fall sound inside dash. It ended up being my head gasket. It's easy to test with a block tester.

[@braaapattack2937]

4:29, sounds like taco Tuesday after Chinese Monday

[@KJsProjects]

I always use a garden hose and then air to back flush the heater core.

[@DEInTheGarage]

That is a totally valid way to go as well. My hose is all packed up for the winter or I might have gone that route as well

[@KJsProjects]

@@DEInTheGarage Yep, definitely a summer job as you will usually get wet.

[@MajorWeakness]

I know someone that put dish soap in their system to flush...it didn't turn out so well...

[@mustangandfrankenstein]

I use dawn .works great it's the best

[@MrFantasylover1]

Not Tea Bag!! Best line in the video!

[@frankblack442]

I flush my cooking system once a year with vinegar

[@Ram14250]

Nice but incomplete. Always show the end results! Start it up and blow the heat. Did it help?? Don't leave views with "Blue Balls"!

[@gopro2027]

The heater core on my 95 tacoma is the highest point in the cooling system and I believe that is why mine doesn't get very hot? I got plenty of coolant though, but after driving my sisters kia yesterday I was like wow my tacoma really sucks. I already did a flush of the heater core with a water hose (didn't try vinegar) and it seemed to flow fine so idk really what the deal is. It's definitely warmer than outside but it's not like "dang imma go jump in my car to warm up" hot yk?

[@peterm3333]

Just warm air from the vents could possibly be from a stuck open thermostat, which doesn't allow the coolant to reach full operating temp, which leads to poor cabin heating.

[@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649]

Possible air lock. Put front of vehicle up on ramps (get radiator up higher than rest of coolant system), turn temperature control to max heat and blower fan on lowest speed, run vehicle to operating temp and keep radiator NEAR full/filled. Squeeze upper radiator hose to help push air out. When no more bubbling is occurring turn off engine, top off radiator and go for a drive with temp control on max and blower fan on high. Evaluate heat output. When you get back squeeze upper radiator hose and confirm that system is pressurized. If hose easily collapses replace radiator cap (not building to 13-17 lbs). Make sure burp bottle is within range for condition.

[@Foreverjazzfan]

What if it’s a broken blend door? This is more common than any other thing. I’ve had 3 of these and all of them have broken blend doors.

[@ProjectDanH]

Well done buddy buck! Can you swap the inlet and outlet hoses on the WJ like you can on the XJ and ZJ? Sometimes running the heater core in reverse helps break up the sediment. That can be done a few hundred miles pior to a whole coolant system flush.

[@ThreePumpTrump]

Aren't the hoses on the XJ different sizes though? How can you just switch em?

[@ProjectDanH]

@@ThreePumpTrump XJ and ZJ heater core inlet and outlet poses are the same diameter. Just pop them off and swap them

[@ThreePumpTrump]

@@ProjectDanH interesting, thank you! I'll have to examine them tomorrow. I could have sworn!

[@matthewtwright84]

I used to just buy one flavor of antifreeze....but these modern engines be finicky

[@nakiabrown4229]

Do you have to flush coolant back through the heater core?

[@Sota_Pops]

Yes

[@terrystratford1235]

I have an interesting one. Door blends done last year, with new heater core. Polarity swapped on fan, so I now have air flow from all Vents. Rad and water pump done. Still no heat! My mechanic says all doors work! Actuators work! Yet some days I have codes 22 24, another day I'll have 52 54 56, it swaps codes! I'm at the point where I think for £129 jeep will run a full diagnostic and tell me what's wrong! Unless anyone can suggest something to check!?

[@binagarten4667]

Why oh why did you put the old coolant back in, for the time and motion study just put fresh coolant!

[@jeffveron8783]

Put a piece of aluminum foil into a glass of vinegar. Let it sit overnight. You’ll never use vinegar in your heater core ever again!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Well I didnt leave it in overnight, did I?

[@toast9758]

whats the shattered piston there for bud? More importantly, where's it from?

[@garyd.7294]

Good info Buck, thank you.

[@MaximumHyperdrive]

Never use vinegar on aluminum. Never!!! The heater core is aluminum.

[@danieldiggerman]

hey buck in australia its hard to get mopar or zerex i use penrite says use for chrysler where hoat is used

[@danieldiggerman]

also blew a thermostat while wheeling out in bush other day just removed to get me home had use dam water to get me home lol

[@manjindersandhu6479]

I have no heat, but both hoses from heater core are very hot when car is running

[@divakim206]

Did you figure it out?

[@tomn8tr]

Blend door stuck?

[@divakim206]

Hello...

[@robertmedina6875]

Wow🤯 That's really old skool broke💰 way ! Thank the Lord I have an air compressor now!!!✌🙂

[@johnnybell5000]

Be careful running too much air pressure through the heater core. They are very delicate 👍

[@froggerman44]

Have a question, I have a1996 ZJ with the 5.2. When the car is warm , hot, and u step on the gas after a light, u hear swish/ gurgle like air in the system. Now I tried to burp it, multiple times, no leaks, and it does not use it, but it seems to always come back, or I am not getting all the air out? Any ideas? Ps it holds a pressure test

[@williamroberts4625]

Hello new friends. Just subscribed as I am a WJ fan. Any info I can get about the fan solenoid itself? My Jeep will not pass emissions due to a check engine code for hydraulic fan solenoid fault. I replaced it to no avail. Any info would be appreciated.

[@kyleburgess6475]

Nicely done!

[@gengartravels]

if i do the coolant flush (coolant system) is the heater core system also included there?

[@mrdecember5715]

Yes

[@elizabethrowlands9419]

with the heater switched on !

[@Trollet456]

Will the 4,7 overheat if i bypass the heater core ?

[@vandervan22]

Only if there's a blockage or leak within the rest of the system

[@donzimmerman316]

also be ba stuck thermostat

[@kirknay]

I can hear the people freaking out when you said aluminium.

[@elizabethrowlands9419]

if its blocked , leave the vinegar in for a couple of days !

[@cinnamongmc5430]

@Elizabeth Rowlands... The vinegar will eat up (destroy) the aluminum fins in the heater core.

[@maxpain7197]

That is horrible advice. Never use anything acidic on aluminum.

[@itsmillertime314]

I really appreciate this video, I watched a crisfix video and his method was really good but he did his on a completely different make and model...so when I went to look for similar spot and I looked in my engine bay I had a tough time locating the proper lines, wonder how i was gonna tackle it...well I traced the line from the water pump to the firewall and was like how am I going to do this...then I watched your video and your method makes perfect sense...I actually wasn’t 100% sure that I found the right lines until you pointed it out...once I saw your video I knew I was on the right track....here is my main question would radiator flush/cleaner by prestone be a good for the heater core? Vinegar seems effective I just wonder if the prestone be a good choice too? I have zero heat and cold air blowing, so I think it’s completely clogged.

[@divakim206]

Hi, I know it's been a year but did you figure out if it was a blocked heater core? I have cold air also.

[@itsmillertime314]

@@divakim206 according to my mechanic it was clogged, but he I never got a chance to flush it, I would of done it myself but I just didn’t have the right tools…he also said my fan fins in the dash, were damaged too….I no longer have the Jeep, one of my piston valves came lose and damaged to the internal portion of the engine…so it was gonna cost me $1500 to repair it…I said no I don’t have that kind of money and sold it to a junk your car website…it served its purpose for 2 yrs…I Frankenstein that Jeep to keep it running…I took care of it the best I could for 2 yrs.

[@divakim206]

@@itsmillertime314 oh man, sorry you had to junk it but glad you got good use out of it. I'm hoping my problem is just clogged hoses. Thanks for replying and have a great day😊

[@elizabethrowlands9419]

@@itsmillertime314 buy a toyota landcruiser !

[@Brandonp95]

But... does your heat work?

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hmm... You bring up a good point... I guess I never clarified that this did indeed fix my issue

[@mijaresaldo]

Thank you very much!

[@rodom303]

Ever think about upgrading to H.O internals?

[@DEInTheGarage]

I certainly have thought about it. I am at 150k ion the clock now. When it hits 200K I want to pull it to refresh it anyway, so maybe then

[@rodom303]

@@DEInTheGarage noice

[@ciphergalm1174]

the pcm will need swapped and then you have to change the vin number in the computer to pass inspections not really worth it in my opinion unless by some miracle you know someone who tunes these jeeps in that case id like to know too

[@rodom303]

@@ciphergalm1174 ever watch martin built? He has everything H.O on his regular 4.7 except for the crankshaft and pcm and it runs fine..

[@ciphergalm1174]

@@rodom303 did he have any power gains?

[@matthewkiel5085]

Love you guys

[@bearallen852]

One tip I’ve picked up from D&E is don’t get a 4.7 lol.

[@whatwasthat3269]

Lol

[@DEInTheGarage]

I am not saying that.. I may think it sometimes and you are free to draw that conclusion, but I want to go on records and having not gone on record saying that

[@bearallen852]

@@DEInTheGarage lol nope you never said that. I was just funnin with you because of the every fifth video comment.

[@whatwasthat3269]

not gonna lie , I love my 4.7H.O. I look for Wjs all the time!

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@bearallen852 seriously bud. Every time I think I am "done" I am out buying more coolant!

[@braaapattack2937]

Last time I was this late, I was slapped and had to pay 😂

[@braaapattack2937]

@Camaro 68 shhhhhh that’s a secret 🤣

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks

[@Deadbuck73]

What is the right coolant for a 99 xj?

[@danhambrick6331]

The green stuff.....

[@GaZonk100]

how could it possibly work in 10 minutes!

[@elizabethrowlands9419]

agreed , maybe an afternoon , empty it and check

[@DeepSouthernTX]

Why do you need a flush if liquid goes through it during operation?

[@Sota_Pops]

Less chance of air bubbles

[@cavman7]

Liquid is going through, but it is partially blocked, as a result you get very low heater temperature. Temperature may rise when engine revs are higher, which is a sure sign it is blocked. By flushing out the core with water in both directions you can loosen whatever is blocking the core and remove it.

[@DeepSouthernTX]

Thanks, I understand now. If you havent maintained the system to the point it rusted then you'd need to flush. But if it's always been properly maintained there wouldn't be any needm

[@cavman7]

@DeepSouthernTX The only reason I know is because mine got blocked after the vehicle was serviced, and they flushed the radiator. Some rubbish in the radiator got pushed into the heater core and partially blocked it. Apparently, during the flush, they use more pressure than is created during normal operation. Obviously, it is to clear out the build-up. But in my case, that got pushed into my heater core. My car is serviced by the dealer every 12 months. So it can happen even if the vehicle is maintained.

[@hmtpthirteen]

Dammit man can I just jimmy jam that tattoo? Jersey isnt that far from me. Still love the videos tho

[@tpb1717]

How can you tell if its clogged or needs replaced?

[@timin770]

At operating temp, inlet hot and outlet cold is an indicator of possibly clogged heater core

[@noidontthinksolol]

not a single version of vinegar is safe for aluminium, any acid loves eating alu. just use common sense and flush it well afterwards

[@maxpain7197]

It's a bad idea to use at all.

[@maxpain7197]

Anything acidic eats aluminum.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻💯🇦🇺

[@JohnDoe-jq4mr]

First!

[@Interestingstuff6909]

Vinegar is best left overnight. Thank you for the useless information

[@Curi0u50ne]

What I did was attach a wide funnel 17 cm then I plunged it like you do a blocked sink🪠. Then a final flush, it did the job

[@jamesstrobel5938]

i see ur knipex cobra pliers. they r the best!!