Here at Flex Technologies, we offer silicone heater hoses online. These hoses are an integral part of how your vehicle functions, so it is important to to get quality products, install and maintain them correctly, and replace them at the appropriate intervals. If you are looking for function and quality, our silicone heater hoses are treated with a heat shield, are durable and flexible, and are easier to remove than hoses made from other rubber materials. However, here, we would like to discuss another part of your car's heating system: the heater core. We would like to go over the basics of flushing it if it gets clogged. But be warned, a failed flush will likely require a heater core replacement, so don't attempt this unless you are confident in your DIY abilities.

What is a heater core?

The heater core takes in coolant from the engine's cooling system, bringing with it all of the heat it took from the engine. Once it reaches the heater core, fans in the car blow past it, pushing hot air into the vehicle cabin. Then, the coolant goes back to the engine, where the whole process starts over again. But if the heater core gets clogged, that coolant can't get in, and the heat in your car will either be diminished or not work at all. Here, we go over the basics of how to flush a heater core, although we always recommend taking it to a professional (you just can't stop a DIYer).

Step One

First, you need to find the heater core, located on the car's firewall. There, you'll find the inlet and outlet pipes (both are heater hoses, one takes coolant in, one pushes coolant out), which are generally located on the firewall where it separates the engine from the cabin. If you can't locate them, either look in the owner's manual, or check open the hood and trace them from inside the engine.

Step Two

Once you've found the heater hoses, disconnect them. This will almost always require you to unscrew a hose clamp with a screwdriver or wrench. However, make sure to place a container below the the remaining side of the inlet hose, as it will leak coolant when disconnected and pumped, which is very bad for the environment. Also, as you disconnect hose clamps, use caution, as they can break easily.

Step Three

Now it is time to use an air compressor. Make sure the the line between the outlet hose and compressor is sealed. Duct tape can be used, as well as silicone couplers. Turn on the air compressor to break up grime and clogs. A heater core can be flushed with just water (and will need to be flushed with water either way), but using an air compressor tends to be better at breaking up hard to remove clogs. As the air compressor builds up pressure in the heater core,  it will move the grime and coolant out of the inlet hose, into the container. You should leave the pressure on for at least a few minutes to make sure the entire heater core system is pressurized.

Step Four

After the pressure has built up in the heater core, you can turn the air compressor off. But don't mess with anything just yet, you need to allow the fluids to continue and finish draining out into the container. This will most likely take at least a few minutes, but you don't necessarily want to leave the area, as you need to make sure that the container does not overflow with coolant/grime.

Step Five

Take the air compressor out of the outlet hose. Using a water hose (sealing and all), repeat the exact same process again, the exact same way. Make sure your container has room, or replace it if needed. Then, once the process is completed, do it again TWICE. 

Step Six

After you have left plenty of time for all the excess water to drain into the container, you can reconnect the inlet and outlet hoses to the heater core, securing them with hose clamps. This seals the heater core system, allowing you to refill it.

Step Seven

To refill the coolant in your heater core system, open up the hood, find the radiator, open the cap, and pour in the coolant solution. Make sure to check your vehicle's specifications to determine what kind of coolant you need, although it is usually a half and half mixture of water and coolant, there are many different types. Fill it up completely to capacity, then screw the cap back on. Coolant can be bought already mixed, or you can buy it to mix yourself. Your manual can tell you what kind of coolant you need, or you can ask your local auto parts store clerk what your make/model requires.

Preparation

Before you even start this process, there are a few things you should do to prepare for safety.

• First, you need to make sure that the car is left on level ground. This is because you will need to use a jack to give you space for a second bucket beneath the vehicle, which will also be used to catch coolant. Only use a jack on concrete or black top surfaces; using a jack on gravel, grass, or dirt is dangerous.
• Second, before you ever use the jack, make sure you have given your car plenty of time to cool completely. Coolant is pressurized by the heat of your engine, and could cause serious injury if you open while hot, as it will spray all over you. If the hood of your car is at all warm to the touch, your engine will be exponentially hotter. 

Hopefully this helps you better understand what you are in for if you want to flush your heater core yourself. Just remember, this is a basic guide to help you understand the process; failure to flush a heater core correctly can result in damage, and require an expensive replacement. If you have any doubt about the process or your ability to carry it out, it is probably best to hire a professional. At the very least, it is helpful to know the ins and outs of how your automobile works. 

If you are looking for silicone heater hoses online to use to transmit fluid from your engine to heater core, then Flex Technologies has you covered! All of our products are subjected to the strict standards of ISO 9001:2008, TS-16949 during manufacturing. We are serious about our quality, and we believe that it shows in every single product we ship. Try out a Flex Tech silicone heater hose for yourself! We also offer wholesale and distributor options. Remember, heater hoses are one of our custom hoses, so make sure to place your order specifications here. 

Please feel free to give us a call at your earliest convenience if you have any questions about our products or delivery. One of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!