In this video I show you the process I use to flush a heater core using CLR. I have done this many times in the past few years and it works extremely well. Obviously use at your own discretion. This is for entertainment only. -Enjoy!
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
70 people need a brain flush.
Great vide!, very informative, we will be doing a Honda CRV heater core flush tomorrow, thanks for the insight.
if the heater is plugged then wouldnt the radiator also have buildup and could you run it in your radiatoer by turning on the enging for a minute every 10 minutes for a hour or 2?
Hey quick question. Does having a clogged heater core cause any cooling issues with the engine itself? Could you just cap it off if you had to?
Could you pull the thermostat and run the CLR through the whole cooling system?
Your awesome. I wish I was there when you made this video!! I thought it was hilarious!! But the CLR worked for cleaning my heater core!! Thanks for video!!!
Where did you get that air and water hose combination gun at
Boutta tree-fiddy??!?
Thats a durn good price, I can get with that.
Nice work again Mr O.
Stay gold.
CLR label states "Do not use on Aluminum "
Giving this a try on my 2012 Outback. Confirmed actuator works, so it's likely a partially clogged core. If I can fix it for ~$100 in tools and a Sunday afternoon I'll be thrilled.
Eric, usually, at the end of your videos when you say, "if I can do it – you can do it," I l laugh and say, "you're so very wrong Eric O. I can't do that." But this time, being out of better ideas to try to remedy my wife's no passenger-side heat in her 09 Highlander Hybrid, I said, "I think I might be able to do that." And it freakin worked.
Now, it was a pain in the backside to get TO those hoses on this car. But I got there. I also didn't have the pump. So I ended up flushing thoroughly with water (disposing of the coolant responsibly); then with a funnel to one of my hoses, I filled the core with CLR, set a timer, came back and flushed it out. Repeated that probably like 4 or 5 times (I wasn't seeing big clunks of evil coming out). Also changed the direction of the flushing each time. After running out of CLR, I flushed again with water, put everything back together, said a weak prayer, and took 'er for a shake down the road. 100% success! Passenger side heat went from ice-cold to nice-and-hot.
I can do it, Eric. I can do it.
Tyler
Look like a diluted CLR solution as he added to water circulating through the system… is there a mix description. It may have been 1 to 1 CLR to water, but that was my guess. Yeah… I am that guy that doesn’t listen well or find things obviously in front of me.
I just used your method on my wife's '08 MKZ heater core. The heat comes out hot enough to melt your face now! CLR and SMA for the win!!!
I think you fixed it and didn't lie to the customer!
💯💯👍👍
I have a 2013 Dodge blows one out of 1 side cold as a what could it be
How long with the pump on each side?
Sadly , ethical mechanics like yourself are far and few in between. As for using CLR , i've used it with no problems and have seen others use it with no problems.
i tried CLR…..then i found using heinz white vinegar worked better
I did this to my Ford escape, used standard toilet bowl cleaner. Had to do it 2x but it worked like a charm
With the "Drano method" – the "black stuff coming out of the heater core" is probably dissolved aluminum oxide – what used to be the heater core.
Came for the info, stayed for the show. Hope you'll be here all week? LOL. Humor cracked me up.
I followed this exact procedure last weekend and it worked PERFECTLY! I now have full heat again! Thanks for posting this excellent video!
"The rust n the dust n the crust…" 😅
all this stuff is great ideas ……. My issue is ….. Heater hoses inaccessable. one goes to the thermostat housing & one goes along back & under engine & dissapears mysteriously into darkness, Ive heard it goes to the water pump but do notsee it on the water pump. – THIS i sthe line I need to access its cold after running 15 minutes but can not get to where it becomes rubber hose again, ……its rubber off the core for about 8 inches then fits on a metal tube, which that metal tube dissapears into the void . this is my second year without heat. starting to suck.
Eric I believe you fixed it too good while your face is melting.
Eric O is a MF'in life saver! Big thanks to South Main Auto for making this video. My wife's Sebring has had heat in only one vent ever since she acquired the car….I tried everything I could think of aside from tearing into the dash to replace the heater core which is an all day job. This was my last hope and after going through all the steps…..the CLR not only broke up all the blockage and get the heat coming out across all vents but just about doubled the output temperature so the hear is nice and hot. Thank you so much Eric!!!!
so my young son pulled off the vent grill on our dodge van and sent a couple match box cars for a ride and blocked the blend door from closing …. that took me 8 hrs to find …
Where did you get the air gun that can put water through it
Howd you prime this? got the same pump and cant figure how to prime it?
That's cool I liked the clr part it's the small things that count.
Very smart and honest.
But about how long did he circulate the CLR? 10 min, 2 hr?
I used VANISH TOILET BOWL CLEANER but you can't leave it in there that long. That stuff will take your FREAKIN SKIN OFF, HELL EAT YOUR RUBBER GLOVES, worked great on my 97 & 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee's.
I Bought the pump from the link. How do you prime the darn thing? No instructions.
Should have tried this on the Grand Prix "extreme flushing" that needed a water pump and his old dextron coolant had turned to mud. Or told him to do it himself. (I doubt that he would have)
Good job as always. Just with repairing the vehicle properly, but taking care of the customer as well.
CLR great idea , back flushing helps remove particles that may have clogged the heater core.
What tool did you use to blast air and water??? Amazon link plz…
CLR; in Canada we put that Sh%t on everything.
Brilliant!
thanks eric
Class act sir
Good tip. If my wife's high mileage Volvo's heater doesn't blow heat, I might give the CLR flush a try.
Eric I love the show – this one should be called "Extreme Heater Core Flush" :0
You gotta change those fluids! Your car will give you a lot less trouble if you do!
I'd much rather flush a heater core as opposed to having pieces of plastic trim break while replacing the heater core.
Maybe someone already said this but … ALWAYS make sure your mechanic or local Lube Shop ( like the one I work for . ) knows and you know the difference between a coolant " flush " and a coolant " exchange " there is a difference. This channel rocks 👍👍👍👍
This guy is legit 🤙🏾