Common Heater Core Problems That Keep You Cold in the Winter
Your automobile will not be warm inside without the heater core. This auto part is what warms the cold air before your fan blows it into the passenger cabin. If the heater core is malfunctioning, the air blowing into your car will be lukewarm only or as cold as the air outside, and that is not a good thing during a North Branch, Minnesota winter. Total Auto Care can help. We can find out why your heater core is malfunctioning and repair or replace the part so you’re warm again. Here are common problems.
The Heater Core Is Clogged
Understanding how the heater core works helps you to understand why it gets clogged. The heater core uses the hot engine coolant flowing through your engine to warm your cabin air before it is returned to the radiator to cool down. Your fan blows the air over the tubes in the heater core through which the hot coolant flows. The hot coolant heats up the air and, voila, you’re nice and warm inside your vehicle.The coolant is diverted through the heater core only when you turn on the heater. This can allow dirt and debris into the heater core tubes if they are not sealed properly. Engine coolant can get dirty itself if you don’t change it every 30,000 miles, and this, too, can clog the heater core tubes with grime. Signs your heater core is clogged include cold air inside your automobile and an overheating engine.
The Heater Core Is Leaking
Another common problem with heater cores is they can develop leaks as they age. The leak can be subtle and something that you wouldn’t notice, or a hemorrhage the spills radiator fluid all over your floorboards and garage floor. Aside from visible signs of a coolant leak, your vehicle will also
- Blow cold air into the cabin
- Blow fruity-smelling air into the cabin
- Fog up the windows with coolant
- Go through engine coolant quickly
- Overheat even though it’s cold outside
The latter is frustrating. One would think that your vehicle wouldn’t overheat when the temperatures are freezing outdoors. The problem is the engine doesn’t have any coolant. The leak in the heater core will lower or deplete your engine’s coolant and it will overheat.Total Auto Care is the best auto shop in North Branch, MN. Give us a call to schedule an appointment. We’ll inspect your heater core and if there is a problem, we’ll replace it.