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Pullmanpair
New User
Jan 25, 2009, 4:25 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1760 views)
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Hi, I'm new to the forum, and I got here because I was looking for info on my (latest) car problem. My heater core has apparently broke on my 1996 Toyota Tacoma, as there was antifreeze leaked onto the floor mat on the passenger side. I've been looking around about information on what a heater core does for the vehicle, but am finding it hard to find the specifics. My goal was to bypass the core, as I'm in college and a $700+ repair job is a very difficult thing to afford right away. I had concerns about it being a deteriment to the vehicle itself, but if all the core is really doing is keeping my warm, I can forgo that. Any help on the immediacy of the repair would really help me out.
Thanks
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2009, 4:32 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1756 views)
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If you are in Pullman, it's mighty cold up there. The heater core is a miniature 'radiator' mounted behind the dash area on the passenger side. Hot water from the engine flows through it. It can develop a leak, just like the radiator. However, if you are young and tough, and can do without the heater, brrrrr, it can be by-passed by connecting the inlet and outlet hoses together. This must be done so as not to create a blockage (no kinks in hoses). Most any repair shop should be able to do this for you.
Loren
SW Washington
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jan 25, 2009, 4:37 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1754 views)
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The heater core is what supplies heat to the cab of the truck. It is like a small radiator. Coolant runs through it and the blower motor blows air over it into the cab. Bypassing it will cause no problems at all. There will be four lines coming out of the firewall in the engine compartment. Two are probably metal fittings and to will be regular rubber hoses attached with hose clamps. Just remove the two with hose clamps and put on one hose running from one pipe to the other. The new bypass hose dose not really even need to have free coolant flow. Just attach one end and kink it to attach to the other side. Hope its not to cold there.
Jeff
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jan 25, 2009, 4:42 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1750 views)
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I must have been writing my post the same time Loren was. Mine contradicts his a bit as far as the kink is concerned. I have done it with kinks with no problem but I live in a fairly warm climate. So this may be why. I don't have any real first hand knowledge about the cold stuff.
Jeff
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Pullmanpair
New User
Jan 25, 2009, 4:42 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1749 views)
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Wow, thanks so much for the quick reply. Yes indeed, I'm in Pullman, and yes, it is quite cold here, but the distance that I drive my vehicle is short enough that it doesn't matter too much if I have heat or not. Besides, after living here for a few winters, you begin to transform into a polar bear . Really, the cold doesn't bother me nearly as much as all the snow, but that's beside the point. I guess I'll have it bypassed, do happen to know off the top of your head how much something like that costs? Also, is there a limit to the distance I should travel with the core such as it is?
Thanks again
EDIT: Would any pipe fitting work to connect the two, so long as the fit was without gaps? I'm a definite novice with vehicle repair, so if this is as easy a 'fix' as you two make it sound, perhaps it's a good starting repair for me.
(This post was edited by Pullmanpair on Jan 25, 2009, 4:47 PM)
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jan 25, 2009, 4:48 PM
Post #6 of 8
(1740 views)
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I wouldn't think paying a shop to do this would cost more that 50 bucks or so. The time you can drive this depends on the size of the leak. Keep an eye on the coolant level and fix asap.
Jeff
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2009, 4:48 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1739 views)
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As long as you keep the cooling system full, you could probably get away with a little while, but it'll sure make a mess of the carpet. Eventually, it'll start steaming up the windshield with anti-freeze which is a real mess to clean.
Had an aunt and uncle in Pullman, he was a prof. at the college. Been there many times. I wouldn't expect maybe more than an hours' labor to do the bypass.
Loren
SW Washington
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jan 25, 2009, 4:49 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1739 views)
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Just use a length of rubber hose and a couple of hose clamps.
Jeff
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