B5 S4 heater core clogged

[tom at tomwintermedia.com]

Ti - check out this discussion, it will have some more info that you may
find helpful:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/571565-Winter-is-here-and-car-t
akes-it-sweet-time-heating-up!

Good luck,

Tom 2001.5 S4 Avant


 B5 S4 heater core clogged
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> 
> Hi Ti,
> 
> The VW recomended declogging chemical is Shout, believe it or not.
> 
> Fill it up, let it soak for a bit, rinse it out, then spray a can full
> of brake cleaner through and rinse again.  Something like that, anyway.
> 
> This procedure it hit or miss, though, it doesn't always work.
> 
> - Huw
> 
> On 12/26/2013 12:03 PM, Ti Kan 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
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>