Heater core lifespan?

[The motor guy]

Most likely they added it into the price. Or they didn't replace it so you have to pay again when it goes bad

I remember now....I asked about it and they said they can, but I told them to leave it alone.

 

[JHZR2]

Agreed. I have never changed a heater core as far as I can recall, but I’ve changed a lot of evaporators. Even the ancient vehicles in my sig all have their original heater cores.

However, I do keep up with coolant changes and the inside of the cooling systems as far as I can see are an excellent condition. This probably helps with corrosion from the inside out.

Those cars in your signature aren’t that ancient

 

[Elkins45]

It's rare for a heater to last 150k or more. When we have a dash out for a repair it gets a heater.

I must be the luckiest man on the planet. I have never needed a heater core on any vehicle, nor has any member of my family.

 

[The motor guy]

I must be the luckiest man on the planet. I have never needed a heater core on any vehicle, nor has any member of my family.

My 99 dodge needs one, but that one didn't have the coolant maintained

 

[dfarr67]

'89 k1500 original.

 

[CBR.worm]

I've never had to replace a heater core (knock on wood). My current cars have 220K, 170K, and 70K miles. I usually keep them to around 200K. Maybe I've been lucky? I replace the coolant on schedule. It would be interesting to find out somehow if BITOG users have fewer heater core failures than the general public with a similar selection of vehicles.

 

[michaelluscher]

The only vehicle I ever put a heater core in was a 1994 Escort

I think it was one of my first posts on the forum

 

[GMBoy]

My oldest car is 1932 and doesn't have a heater so dodged the bullet there lol

 

[The motor guy]

My oldest car is 1932 and doesn't have a heater so dodged the bullet there lol

Good man

 

[vwmaniaman]

The heater core in my 1990 Ranger was leaking at 30 years old. Had it replaced in about 30 minutes. Remove panel under the dash with a few screws and access! I was surprised.

 

[The motor guy]

The heater core in my 1990 Ranger was leaking at 30 years old. Had it replaced in about 30 minutes. Remove panel under the dash with a few screws and access! I was surprised.

Is there a risk of airbag deployment when you have to remove the dash? Most of us don't have access panels lol I'll unhook the battery when I do mine, but I always wonder if their is a risk of it deploying once it's all back together say doe instance you bumped something

 

[Exhaustgases]

Is there a risk of airbag deployment when you have to remove the dash? Most of us don't have access panels lol I'll unhook the battery when I do mine, but I always wonder if their is a risk of it deploying once it's all back together say doe instance you bumped something

There is always a risk of them deploying, even if you have done nothing. Do a search on the topic. Most dangerous safety item there is.

 

[vwmaniaman]

No airbags in my old Ranger.

 

[The motor guy]

There is always a risk of them deploying, even if you have done nothing. Do a search on the topic. Most dangerous safety item there is.

Wouldn't be the first time I've been injured due to a safety item.

 

[JWC86]

My 2.5 year old F350 with 65,000miles ( it 3700 engine hours) had a plugged heater core. I changed the coolant with OEM at 2 years.

Oddly enough all over my other vehicles I’ve never changed the coolant and I’ve never had a problem. I’m not saying the coolant change had anything to do with the plugged core, just thought it was ironic that I was trying to take care of this truck so I wouldn’t have issues and I get a plugged core.

Glad it was under warranty. The whole dash has to come out as many know.

 

[The motor guy]

My 2.5 year old F350 with 65,000miles ( it 3700 engine hours) had a plugged heater core. I changed the coolant with OEM at 2 years.

Oddly enough all over my other vehicles I’ve never changed the coolant and I’ve never had a problem. I’m not saying the coolant change had anything to do with the plugged core, just thought it was ironic that I was trying to take care of this truck so I wouldn’t have issues and I get a plugged core.

Glad it was under warranty. The whole dash has to come out as many know.

It wasnt a 6.0 literally was it? They'll plug the heater core and every other cooler from the sand when they cast the block.

 

[JWC86]

It wasnt a 6.0 literally was it? They'll plug the heater core and every other cooler from the sand when they cast the block.

No, 2020 7.3L gas.

 

[The motor guy]

No, 2020 7.3L gas.

Strange. You can usually backflush them to get them working again.

 

[willbur]

HUH? Any patent on heater cores expired 100 years ago.

I think he ment in general, maybe?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Heater core on my Xterra failed around 200K. I owned it since new and it had new coolant every 50K. FWIW the replacement was aftermarket and its now been in their longer than the OEM without issue.

My WJ Jeep GC had a core fail before 200K - but i bought it used but only 3 years old. Also changed the coolant regularly.

I have heard of many HC failures in both these vehicle models on forums, so I am not unique.

I have had a couple other cars go much longer without issue. So I conclude it has to do with the quality of the original part. Might also have to do with how much vibration the core is subjected to via the hoses.