[s-cars] Heater Core Mfg decisions

[Tom Green]

This is heater cores we're talking about, Josh.  No plastic tanks.

The original core is aluminum, and I would recommend a replacement
that is aluminum, Peter.  I believe the cheap ones are brass.  Beware
of those since they probably are assembled using lead solder.  The
Audi coolant uses OAT inhibitors that provide little protection for  
brass,
and no coolant gives very good protection for lead solder so you can
expect it to erode into solution quickly.  This can lead to coolant  
passage
obstruction in the radiator and a leaky heater core in short order.   
If you
are not sure, I would call the supplier for details on their part.

The usual method for aluminum radiator repair is to replace the core.  I
don't  know if that would be cost effective, Jerry.  It would  
increase the
down time if you have to remove the heater core and then have it rebuilt
before re-installing the part.

Tom


> Josh van Tol wrote:
> Plastic tanked cores are not that amenable to rebuilding. Plus
> they're so cheap that it's probably cheaper to go with a new one.
>
> On Nov 5, 2006, at 11:41 AM, Jerry Scott wrote:
>
>> Has anyone tried to have a stock heater core rebuilt by a radiator
>> shop?
>> Jerry
>>
>> Peter Schulz wrote:
>>
>>> Folks:
>>> Need advice on making a decision between AKG (evidently now made
>>> in China)
>>>
>>> or Meyle (not known for overwhelming product quality)
>>>
>>> thanks!
>>>
>>> -Peter