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Heater Core Testing

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L

lesingepsycho

Jedi Warrior
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Is there a way to pressure test or check a heater core for leaks before getting it all plumbed in? I have 3 different heater cores and I'm getting ready to put the heater box back in the car but since they are all a bit aged, I would like to know if they're going to blow on me BEFORE I get stuck somewhere spewing anti-freeze. Any suggestions?

JACK
 
I was thinking of something a little more "in-house". Maybe with the air-compressor or garden hose or something. I was just wondering if someone else had tried something similar.

JACK
 
Jack, if you've got a good air pressure regulator, just plug one port of the core, and pressurize the other with 50% over the pressure rating on your radiator cap, while holding the core submerged in a bucket of water.
Bubbles bad!
That's the way radiator shops do it.
I wouldn't try the garden hose, as your water pressure is generally much too high.
Jeff
 
There ya go. That's the part I was missing... the bucket o' water to SEE the leaks (if any). Thanks!

JACK
 
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