Hello,
Is my heater core missing??? I bought my 99 diamante (3rd gen) used a coupole weeks ago. I found out my heater does not work...ac is fine. Some mates on here was helping in my last thread about my heater not working.... We were thinking thermostat, since my upper radiator hose gets very hot, but the lower hose is cold, no heat at all. BUT Is all this a symtom of a missing heater core? :bowrofl: Let me know what my problem is?????? I can take more pics, let me know.... THANKS!

Hello,
Is my heater core missing??? I bought my 99 diamante (3rd gen) used a coupole weeks ago. I found out my heater does not work...ac is fine. Some mates on here was helping in my last thread about my heater not working.... We were thinking thermostat, since my upper radiator hose gets very hot, but the lower hose is cold, no heat at all. BUT Is all this a symtom of a missing heater core? :bowrofl: Let me know what my problem is?????? I can take more pics, let me know.... THANKS!

Not missing just bypassed or disconnected which is why you have no heater. Most common reason for doing this is that the core is leaking water into the cabin causing coolant loss. Its normal for the bottom radiator hose to feel cooler than the top, this means its doing its job, but an extreme difference might indicate a problem with the radiator core (blockage) rather than the thermostat, does it tend to run hot/overheat?

This seems to be a common issue in the US diamantes - maybe they use the heaters in the US more - I know I have used mine... Twice in the three years I have had the car.

Cheers
Heath Young

Not missing just bypassed or disconnected which is why you have no heater. Most common reason for doing this is that the core is leaking water into the cabin causing coolant loss. Its normal for the bottom radiator hose to feel cooler than the top, this means its doing its job, but an extreme difference might indicate a problem with the radiator core (blockage) rather than the thermostat, does it tend to run hot/overheat?


I see. Guess I will leave it like that and hope for the best. It does not overheat or anything....

Thanks.

I have to agree with Mark, I had a similar incident with an old Valiant. Heater was disconnected, so I reconnected it. Then I had a small water feature inside the car! Fortunately I could take the heater box out of the car and put another heater core in. Have a look around the heater box in the car and see it you can spot where the core can be removed from. There may be a retangular cover than can be removed to allow the core to be to be replaced without removing the whole heater box.

Ken

Magnas have a heater??? .... lol sorry just jokes, I dont think the Heater has ever been used, even on the so called winter mornings the a/c comes on.

Should I cap the nipples off to prevent further contamination?

Thanks.

No point really if the core is gone just leave it as is or just replace it when convenient.


Regards

its a good job doing the heater core .i did my heater core myself it took me about 8 hours to do .you have to take the hole dash out( pass side air bag ) and most of the centre console out too. if you are going to do it get a car manual they are a great help to show you how to get the dash out .

from what i understand an unused heater core is more likely to rust out than one that is used regularly. Tha reason being that there is water in the core whether it is being used or not. Not using it simply means not circulating hot water through it. when you shut it off the water is still in it but it just cools down and the water sits there. By turning your heater on every so often means you flush the core with water carrying fresh antifreez/rust inhibitor. My step father was a mechanic and has a huge amount of experience with cars (restoring classics and rebuilding modern cars) always turns his heater on every month or so to flush it out even in the middle of summer. He only leaves it on for about 5 mins or so.
Just a thought
Cheers
Damo

Does anyone know the size of the heater hose? mm or inches (1/2", 3/4", 5/8"). I want to put a piece of hose on each inlet/outlet and block off.