What aftermarket heater core comes all-aluminium?

[krzysztofkow]

Hey guys. '05 A4 1.8T. I decided to replace my heater core (tired of flushing it) and ordered a Valeo 812255 from FCP because on their website it shows as an all-aluminium unit, like the original. However, the part that I received has plastic end tanks/pipe connections. I heard horror stories about these, associated with installation and durability, so I am returning it back to FCP. Can anyone recommend an aftermarket heater core brand that comes with aluminium end tanks? Obviously parts vendor website pics can't be trusted and I don't want to blindly keep ordering till I get lucky. Thank you in advance for your input.

[chuckb825]

I had a issue with mine and this radiator place near me said to use liquid dishwasher soap to clean it out. What you do is up at firewall you disconnect the 2 hoses and you hook up garden hose and flush it that way. You find which one is inbound and the other return and use the soap and put some through and let it set. Then you flush it till it's clear. Then use air hose to blow out water. Then refill the system but make sure your mixing it with distilled water. Don't ever use city water. Then fill it up and you should be good to go. I hope this helps that's what I did with mine and worked like a charm.

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[krzysztofkow]

Thanks Chuck. I tried the flush procedure several times, each time the fix was short term, that's why I decided to replace the core. I just did additional research and it seems like Spectra 99373 is all-aluminium and available on amazon for $60. Will give it a try and update with results.

[old guy]

I tried the flush procedure several times, each time the fix was short term, that's why I decided to replace the core.

Good call. Here's what you are dealing with: Clicky click®️

[TobiqueSlang]

Parts descriptions should tell you whether or not it's an all aluminum unit.

also not to plug them but ECS has heaps of different brands.

[krzysztofkow]

Good call. Here's what you are dealing with: Clicky click®️

Thank you Old Guy. I've had your thread bookmarked for a year now, lol. Finally got the motivation to follow through on it.

[Kevin C]

Parts descriptions should tell you whether or not it's an all aluminum unit.

also not to plug them but ECS has heaps of different brands.

Last few orders I have placed with them have arrived really fast.

[my1stturbo]

How long should 1 expect a new core to last before the same condition applies?

[seanf86]

Thanks Chuck. I tried the flush procedure several times, each time the fix was short term, that's why I decided to replace the core. I just did additional research and it seems like Spectra 99373 is all-aluminium and available on amazon for $60. Will give it a try and update with results.

I put a spectra one in my car back in 2014, so far so good. Thats really weird that valeo has a plastic end take as the OE core on mine was a valeo

[old guy]

How long should 1 expect a new core to last before the same condition applies?

Replaced mine in 2016. Still have good heat.

[Kevin C]

The other factors that matter are how good is your coolant and make sure the engine grounds are intact. Both affect heater core life.

[inliner311]

I had a issue with mine and this radiator place near me said to use liquid dishwasher soap to clean it out. What you do is up at firewall you disconnect the 2 hoses and you hook up garden hose and flush it that way. You find which one is inbound and the other return and use the soap and put some through and let it set. Then you flush it till it's clear. Then use air hose to blow out water. Then refill the system but make sure your mixing it with distilled water. Don't ever use city water. Then fill it up and you should be good to go. I hope this helps that's what I did with mine and worked like a charm.

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I would add that if you can get a sprayer to attach to your garden hose with a threaded end on the sprayer side you can get a lot more pressure/pulsing to break up whatever is clogging the heater core. I wasn't able to get my heater core to flush properly until I used this with the garden hose flush adaptor thing you get at the auto parts store.

Something like this

I personally would avoid changing out the heater core at all cost. I changed one on an Audi A6 and it was hard to get it to seal properly. I had to redo it multiple times because it wouldn't stay sealed. Flushing it an inconvenience but 10x easier than having to mess with the core to stop a leak. I'm sure there are solvents to clean a heater core.

Also make sure you're bleeding the system properly after flushing the heater core. A air pocket at the top of the hose where the heater comes from the firewall will restrict flow through the heater core which will reduce the heat output.

[chuckb825]

I would add that if you can get a sprayer to attach to your garden hose with a threaded end on the sprayer side you can get a lot more pressure/pulsing to break up whatever is clogging the heater core. I wasn't able to get my heater core to flush properly until I used this with the garden hose flush adaptor thing you get at the auto parts store.

Something like this

I personally would avoid changing out the heater core at all cost. I changed one on an Audi A6 and it was hard to get it to seal properly. I had to redo it multiple times because it wouldn't stay sealed. Flushing it an inconvenience but 10x easier than having to mess with the core to stop a leak. I'm sure there are solvents to clean a heater core.

Also make sure you're bleeding the system properly after flushing the heater core. A air pocket at the top of the hose where the heater comes from the firewall will restrict flow through the heater core which will reduce the heat output.

Oh yeah that's what I was told about it avoid it if you can. Once you get the liquid detergent in there let it soak for quite awhile. And if the water doesn't come blasting out then put more detergent in and do it over and over. Once the water comes blasting out then you know you have broke through. Then I would do it again so you know you have it cleaned out pretty good. And just remember to use distilled water if you mixing it and you shouldn't have any other issues.

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[my1stturbo]

Replaced mine in 2016. Still have good heat.

Thanks. Thinking my issue is either replaced core but no flush or system isn't sealed for some reason and getting air getting back in the system. Will pressurize and see if I can find a leak.

[EuroxS4]

Thanks. Thinking my issue is either replaced core but no flush or system isn't sealed for some reason and getting air getting back in the system. Will pressurize and see if I can find a leak.

Why are you loosing heat or coolant? Is it over heating? Could be a crack cylinder head quite common.

[inliner311]

I didn't use detergent but I knew it was clear because all the sediment that came out in the bucket. I went both directions a couple times and used hot water. Pulsed it a bunch of times too. I did a final flush with distilled water and a funnel to clear out any tap water in the heater core.

[my1stturbo]

Why are you loosing heat or coolant? Is it over heating? Could be a crack cylinder head quite common.

I'm not necessarily loosing coolant that I notice in any measurable quantity. I tried a block test to see if there was exhaust fumes from coolant but that failed. I had a leak from thermostat due to a failed o ring but after replacement heat is still hit or miss. Il try to pressurize the system myself or else will try a local shop to see if they can figure out the issue.

[EuroxS4]

best way to flush a core is to use benz citric acid with boiling hot water. flushing back and forth. Even then its hit or miss.

[my1stturbo]

Not sure the core is blocked again or something else going off. Hose is off for the winter but may try a flush again if I don't find a leak anywhere.

[inliner311]

Not sure the core is blocked again or something else going off. Hose is off for the winter but may try a flush again if I don't find a leak anywhere.

Have you tried bleeding the upper heat core hose at the firewall while the coolant tank is prop up vertically? The upper heat core hose is the highest point of the system and air can collect there. By propping up the tank it makes it the highest point which should help force the air out the little bleeder hole at the hose.

[my1stturbo]

Have you tried bleeding the upper heat core hose at the firewall while the coolant tank is prop up vertically? The upper heat core hose is the highest point of the system and air can collect there. By propping up the tank it makes it the highest point which should help force the air out the little bleeder hole at the hose.

I've tried bleeding the car endlessly. I'm pretty sure I did it with the tank vertical and the heater core hose exposed as I've have B5 Passat as dailys since 2003 or so and had to do this a few times. But can't hurt to try it again tomorrow.