[Biturbos4] B5 S4 heater core clogged

[Ti Kan]

The thermostat was defective and replaced within the past week,
along with a full timing belt job (water pump, tensioners, etc).
The coolant temp gauge now reads normal, and it rises to operating
temperature quickly, but still no heat from the vents.

-Ti

On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 12:36:18PM -0500, Greg Amy wrote:
> Are you SURE it's a blocked heater core? I had a heat issue with my B5-S4 and it was the thermostat. Secondary symptom was the water temp gauge* reading oh-so-slightly lower than in did in summer. 
> 
> Block off half the radiator with cardboard and see what happens. 
> 
> -GA
> 
> * Modern cars' temp "gauges" are nothing more than pretty idiot lights. Most take a lot of change in value to show a slight change in gauge position. 
> 
> > On Dec 26, 2013, at 12:03, Ti Kan <ti at amb.org> wrote:
> > 
> > Hi all,
> > 
> > The heater core on my 2001 S4 appears to be clogged, there is
> > very little heat out of any vent even with the engine fully hot
> > and the climate control temp set to HI.  The blower is working
> > properly, all air flaps seem to work too.
> > 
> > Replacing the heater core is a BIG job on this car, involving
> > the removal of the center console, entire dashboard, and many
> > things beneath it.  I don't have the time or the confidence
> > that I could do this myself, and paying a shop to do it will
> > be serious $$$.
> > 
> > I read that a heater core can often be un-clogged by backflushing
> > with either compressed air or water.  My mechanic is reserved
> > about this method, saying that there is high chance that it
> > would cause the heater core to spring a leak into the cabin,
> > which would _force_ a replacement of the heater core.
> > 
> > What is your opinion about this?  Should I try to backflush it?
> > If so which is better, compressed air or water?  Just how sturdy
> > are these heater cores?  According to the family album the same
> > heater core is used on all B3, B4 and B5 Audis as well as the
> > B5 Passat.
> > 
> > -Ti
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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