With the number of times people have had the wrong coolant types mixed, I'm surprised someone hasn't formulated a product specifically to dissolve that gunk. There would be big money in it! Come mid January, no heat is a BIG DEAL. Balanced against the cost of a heater core replacement, or endless flushing, they could charge a pretty penny and still make sales.
Heater core flush improvement
I was flushing my heater core using the JayTheSnork process and discovered an improvement. I noticed that when I pulsed the water, more stuff came out. I figure that the agitation helps loosen stuff and keep it in suspension. So here's what I did. I wrapped the long hose around the hood prop like a snake. I then filled the core with water and pulsed air into the short hose. The water rose into the long hose and then ran back. I was able to develop a rhythm of air pulses every second or so. I did this for about 5 minutes and then flushed with water. A LOT more crap came out. When the amount of stuff subsided, I switched back to the air pulsing. Also, I flushed from the outlet, not the inlet. I figured that the crap got stuck going in, so it would be better to send it out the same way.
My core was really plugged. 1 1/2 hours of flushing got it from the point of having no heat to having heat above 1500 rpm. I should change the core, but I figure repeated flushing takes a lot less time than a core change.
BTW, wear a raincoat when you do this process!
My core was really plugged. 1 1/2 hours of flushing got it from the point of having no heat to having heat above 1500 rpm. I should change the core, but I figure repeated flushing takes a lot less time than a core change.
BTW, wear a raincoat when you do this process!
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
:lol: I would have went the opposite direction had it not worked the way I did it. 
I ran something like 25 five gallon buckets of water through mine.
I ran something like 25 five gallon buckets of water through mine.
Any chemists out there? I was also considering dropping a small ultrasonic transducer into the core.With the number of times people have had the wrong coolant types mixed, I'm surprised someone hasn't formulated a product specifically to dissolve that gunk. There would be big money in it! Come mid January, no heat is a BIG DEAL. Balanced against the cost of a heater core replacement, or endless flushing, they could charge a pretty penny and still make sales.
If I were going to use anything, a 50-50 mix of water and C-L-R would be it, but I would fill the heater core with it, then plug both ends and let it sit for 1/2 hour. I've unclogged radiators with this method, and then did the heat exchanger on my home furnace with great results.
I wouldn't leave it in there very long, like overnight, the stuff is pretty aggressive, but it's not supposed to hurt metal or plastic. Use at your own risk. HTH
I wouldn't leave it in there very long, like overnight, the stuff is pretty aggressive, but it's not supposed to hurt metal or plastic. Use at your own risk. HTH
CLR sounds like it would work. White vinegar and water, preferably hot, would probably work well as well.
Did your problem return or did it stay corrected? Just paid the dealer $1500 to replace and FL sh the heater core. They wanted to also replace the EGR and Catalyst at a grand total of $5000! I opted for just sy the heater core and am wondering if it will keep running for another 100,000 miles. It's a 2013 Passat TDI. Thanks for any advice...I was flushing my heater core using the JayTheSnork process and discovered an improvement. I noticed that when I pulsed the water, more stuff came out. I figure that the agitation helps loosen stuff and keep it in suspension. So here's what I did. I wrapped the long hose around the hood prop like a snake. I then filled the core with water and pulsed air into the short hose. The water rose into the long hose and then ran back. I was able to develop a rhythm of air pulses every second or so. I did this for about 5 minutes and then flushed with water. A LOT more crap came out. When the amount of stuff subsided, I switched back to the air pulsing. Also, I flushed from the outlet, not the inlet. I figured that the crap got stuck going in, so it would be better to send it out the same way. My core was really plugged. 1 1/2 hours of flushing got it from the point of having no heat to having heat above 1500 rpm. I should change the core, but I figure repeated flushing takes a lot less time than a core change. BTW, wear a raincoat when you do this process!
Different style heater core and a totally different generation of Passat. If you need advice ( I didn't see what you were asking for), please start a new thread or ask in a related thread in the B7 forum.Did your problem return or did it stay corrected? Just paid the dealer $1500 to replace and FL sh the heater core. They wanted to also replace the EGR and Catalyst at a grand total of $5000! I opted for just sy the heater core and am wondering if it will keep running for another 100,000 miles. It's a 2013 Passat TDI. Thanks for any advice...
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Volkswagen Passat Forum
Passatworld is a forum community dedicated to Volkswagen Passat owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about mods, Quattro, Turbo Diesel, reviews and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
