During colder months, heater cores can become clogged with debris, rust, or sludge, causing reduced heating performance or even a complete failure of the vehicle’s heating system. This is a common issue as vehicles age or accumulate debris over time.
To maintain or fix a clogged heater core, it’s important to:
- Check for symptoms like inconsistent heat, cold air blowing despite the heat being on, or a sweet smell inside the cabin (which can indicate coolant leaking).
- Inspect the coolant system to ensure there are no blockages or low coolant levels that could contribute to a clogged core.
- Flush the heater core to remove any blockages. This can be done with a special cleaning solution or by flushing it with water under pressure.
- Consider replacing the heater core if cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue. This is more involved and can be a costly repair, as it often requires removing parts of the dashboard.
Regular maintenance of the vehicle’s cooling and heating system, such as changing coolant and inspecting hoses, can help prevent clogging. If you’re not comfortable handling it yourself, it’s a good idea to have a professional mechanic inspect and service the heater system.
Contact Doylestown Auto Repair at 267-279-9477 or visit our website at www.doylestownautoshop.com to schedule an appointment to have your car serviced.