sonjaab Posted December 3, 2019 Report Share Posted December 3, 2019 SOB! Im thinking that my heater core is plugged again! I replaced it last Dec/Jan right after I bought the car in Fla. and brought it to NY for my new winter rat! Well the last week or so the heat has been lukewarm like when I bought it. So I figure over the life of the car (90k miles) the dealer went overboard with the "sealant" tabs as the old core was loaded with them. No overheat issues even in the summer in Fla. with the a/c pumpin' out snow All hoses are hot where they should be and as its winter flushing the core is not a option even tho I have a heated garage here in blizzard belt NY! I would rather replace the core instead now that I know how much swearin' and tool tossin' is necessary to disconnect the engine side core hoses! Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCadTech Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 I would check the heater control valve first, not uncommon for those to restrict coolant flow. Let me know how it checks out, There are a couple of other things you can do Quote THERE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB RIGHT - THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB AGAIN !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 If there was excess of bars leak then I would say it is probably clogged again. Not a bad idea to check the valve though. Those coolant hoses are funny. Sometimes they weld themselves to the pipes, others come off ok... Quote GM FAN FOREVER Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) Guys....... Aint no heater valve in these ol' squarebodies! 3 way factory restrictor "tee" in place and temp accuator working properly. HVAC control and temp functions working properly. Just weak heat AGAIN! Am I missing something? (not my pic) Edited December 4, 2019 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Timer Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Why not just back flush the heater core with a garden hose? If junk comes out then you know what was wrong. If the core starts leaking, then replace it. Also if junk comes out, you should flush the entire cooling system, but not with the machines they have out. I personally don't think they work well. I have an old school type flusher that uses compressed air and water. Works great. Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 OT......Yea a backflush would be my first move! BUT its winter here in blizzard and ice land NY and the water hose has been put away and the garage is warm and dry so a wet flush is out of the question. I pondered that last year and figured I would just replace the core as it was "easier" and dryer than flushing! The anitifreeze was yellow and clear and no overheating issues either. Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Timer Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Sounds like a temperature door problem if coolant looks that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) Nope, Glovebox out and accuators working properly. Temp door fully opens and closes. Yea........another heater core. (not my pics) Edited December 4, 2019 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Timer Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Very odd that the heater core would keep clogging up, but anything is possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCadTech Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 16 hours ago, sonjaab said: Guys....... Aint no heater valve in these ol' squarebodies! 3 way factory restrictor "tee" in place and temp accuator working properly. HVAC control and temp functions working properly. Just weak heat AGAIN! Am I missing something? (not my pic) Did you check to make sure the valve/orifice is not plugged? You can do a temp check... If the inlet is HOT and the others aren't as hot pull it out and look. Back flush it if everything else checks fine before you pull the core, or pull it since you had fun last time... JK Is the coolant level correct? What is the coolant temp? Bruce Nunnally 1 Quote THERE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB RIGHT - THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB AGAIN !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Level good, no idea the coolant temp., cant backflush. Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 I suggest warming the car up, feel the hoses to the heatercore, Or check with infared temp gun If there is a difference in temp over 10* or so I would say for sure it is restricted Old Timer 1 Quote GM FAN FOREVER Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 No infrared temp guage. Hoses in wheelwell and firewall leading to core seem equally hot. But as you guys know that the core stands up mounted in the car and the water inlet/outlets are at the top of the core and the bottom of the core must fill with the sealant tab threads so water flow is not restricted but the area of water being heated is tiny so then poor heat output. I figure this from cutting open my old heater core and noting it half filled with sealant tabs. (no pics on new PC to post) Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Timer Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 Now it makes more sense. I think I might quit using the tabs. I read somewhere that GM recommended to not use those anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 I know of GM stating the newer N*stars didnt need the sealant tabs from when I had my 2011 DTS. But this 93 Deville 4.9 was Fla. oldster owned from new and I am sure the dealer service sold them a bunch of services! Prob. too may tabs or because of the tabs and the way the core sits in place the tabs load up the bottom of the core. Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCadTech Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) Still sounds like an air mix door problem. I went back through the post, but, since I don't subscribe to photobucket I couldn't see the pictures. The Deville used the air mix door to control the amount of air through the heater core. Even if the actuator is moving, that doesn't mean the door is operating correctly. True, the tabs would eventually clog radiators and heater cores but that was over a long period of time. One year to plug a heater core is very extreme...especially since the coolant is in pristine condition. Edited December 5, 2019 by OldCadTech Old Timer 1 Quote THERE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB RIGHT - THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB AGAIN !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) All i can say about the air temp door is when the adjustment rod is disconnected and i move it stop to stop the temp would change dramatically from hot to cold after core change out. Where it was cold to lukewarm before core change. I was freezing to death on the trip from Fla to NY after I bought it and stopped at a rest stop in VA and pulled the glovebox to check the air temp door! When the adj. rod is reconnected it moves stop to stop with the accu. from the temp control setting. So I figured that ruled out the temp door operation. Agin I will mention the inlet/outlet positions on the core and the way it sits in the HVAC box and the thinness of the core tubes I figure just a few crushed sealant tab "threads" would clog the core lines. My tech bud mentioned that when i whipped out the old core and broke the plastic tanks off today and we eyeballed it loaded with the tab "threads" and figure its plugged again while drinking a cold one! LOL! SO I guess I am gonna gamble another $30 and replace it. Im COLD! Edited December 6, 2019 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCadTech Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 Good, I was thinking the heater was switching from hot to cold rapidly. If this heater core plugged in a year I would replace the radiator. GM instructed the pellets to be added to the radiator,,,, Quote THERE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB RIGHT - THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE JOB AGAIN !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 Hmmm replace radiator? Too cold for that here in snow and ice land along with a flushing. So either gonna live with it or at least swap out the core. Thanks for the tips tho.............. Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted November 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2020 (edited) Well folks it winter time again in NY and I have NO HEAT again! Hoses are hot, temp door working properly etc. So I guess it time to swap the core again! Prob. loaded with sealant tabs! Cheap aluminum replacement again! Brass and copper OE $pendy! Good thing I know the core hoses will be easier to R&R this time. Will try and get pics this time. Otherwise NO issues with the old girl except for new front pads and rotors. Brake parts for these cars are dirt cheap! R&R is a snap! Edited November 1, 2020 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted November 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2020 (edited) BTW: Gonna be the first full winter on my new rat! Fla. fresh and shiny and rust free with cold a/c to boot! Yea its got mucho heat! Poor old and trusty Buick rat engine cradle too rotted out to pass NY Inspection. So we be driving this one in the snow! Edited November 1, 2020 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted November 1, 2020 Report Share Posted November 1, 2020 Just for the heck of it check the temps of the 2 hoses to the core. drastic difference surely means plugged core. Close or same temp without air flowing over core should mean core is ok Quote GM FAN FOREVER Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted November 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 (edited) Can only get to the "in" hose to check temp. The "out" hose is hidden either between the fender/firewall or by removing the RF tire and splash shield to get at it! Sheesh! Might just as well as swap out the core! No complaints tho. cuz I have replaced harder ones! Edited November 5, 2020 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 Well missing drivin' the Caddy and its cold n snowy here in NY. So I gotta order and swap the core again ! Good thing I have a heated garage! All new I find are aluminum anyhoo. OE cores are $pendy! Hope them sealant tabs are gone! Gotta flush the rest of system come spring. Starts right up with no issues in the cold! Miss the heated seats in my 2011 Platinum DTS. Keep warm out there! Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted December 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 (edited) Hey All! Finally got the new core from Rock Auto. Less than $25 bucks. Cold n snowy here in NY so I have been ridin' my truck instead of the Caddy. Man.......I miss that smooooth ride! This truck rides like a buckin bronco but that 4wd works great here in blizzard land NY! I suppose I will be swappin' that core again this week.......... Edited December 26, 2020 by sonjaab Quote 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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