What is a heater core and where is it located?

Your vehicle’s heater core is essentially a small radiator typically mounted in under the dashboard within the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) housing, and consists of conductive metal tubing with fins to increase surface area. Some larger vehicles will have an additional heater core located in the rear in addition to the heater core located in the front. Most cars and trucks today use heater cores that are constructed out of aluminum, while in the past, copper and brass construction was the norm.

The use of a heater core allows for heat created by the vehicle’s engine to be transferred to the passenger compartment. This is done by piping the coolant heated by the engine into the heater core and its windy tubing. Fresh air is forced past the fins and through the heater core by the blower motor, transferring the heat from the liquid coolant to the air. Heated air then exits out of the heater core and is plumbed through the vents which then heats the cabin of the car or truck.

How do I know my heater core needs to be replaced?

Leaking is the most common reason for heater core failure, and the main cause of heater core leaks is improper coolant system maintenance. As antifreeze ages, it becomes more acidic and therefore more corrosive. This coolant will eat away at the soft metals and / or plastics that the heater core is made of.  Old coolant can also lead to another form of heater core failure, which is clogging or blockage of the passage. A partially blocked heater core will prevent the coolant to circulate properly throughout the entire system. Once the heater core is blocked or leaking, the only effective repair is to obtain a heater core replacement. Therefore, keeping up with your automobile’s routine maintenance can prevent a costly repair down the road.

Can I replace the heater core myself?

If your heater is not producing heat, or you can smell coolant inside your vehicle, or you see coolant leaking inside your vehicle, then it is time get a heater core replacement. The difficulty of replacing your vehicle’s heater core will vary depending on the application. Many can be done by your average do-it-yourselfer in a few hours, while others may require a large amount of work to access the heater core. Regardless of the automobile, we recommend purchasing a good quality repair manual to guide you through the process.

Need a heater core replacement?

Is steam blowing out of your dash vents like a haunted house smoke machine? Is your nose picking up the not-so-sweet smell of anti-freeze? Is your interior carpet looking more like a wetland thanks to leaking coolant? Is it freezing inside of your vehicle during extremely cold weather because there is no heat? If the answer to any or all of these questions is "yes" then you are probably in need of a replacement heater core for your car or truck. Luckily, 1A Auto has you covered! We have quality, aftermarket heater cores for many cars and trucks, at great prices. Our replacement automotive heater cores are manufactured to strict quality standards and are designed to fit and function just like the original.

Shopping for an aftermarket heater core replacement for your car, truck or SUV is also incredibly easy at 1A Auto - we're here to help you select the right part for your vehicle! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our cores, warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online right here at 1aauto.com. Order your replacement automotive heater core today and get your vehicle in good running form again!