[s-cars] Heater Core Mfg decisions

[Tom Green]

You are correct, Josh.  That is exactly backwards from what I was
promoting.  The low cost aftermarket heater cores have the metal
ends and are not aluminum.  If you get the proper aluminum core
it does  have plastic ends, but is still a better core than the all  
metal
replacement because the OAT coolant is targeted to protect iron
and aluminum parts.

Thanks for straightening that out.

Tom

> Josh van Tol asks:
> What sort of Audi are you working on that the heater core has metal
> end tanks?
>
> All of the recent vintage VW and Audi radiators that I've come into
> contact with have had plastic end tanks, and aluminum cores.
>
> On Nov 6, 2006, at 7:58 AM, Tom Green wrote:
>
>> 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