[V8] Heater Core Question

[Klein, Nathan P]

I don't know for sure if it's bad or not.

I'm just guessing that it's the heater core at the moment.

I've had a ton of overheating problems.  One day, the water temp got up
to 120+ C (gauge was all the way over), I heard a loud "POW!" from
behind the dash, and smoke started billowing from the A/C and defrost
ducts.  Actually, you could smell antifreeze out of the A/C vents for a
few days before this happened, especially if it was rainy or humid.

I haven't done the tear-down yet. So what would be the best way to tell
that it is in fact a bad core?

Sourced a new core locally for fifty bucks.  Don't think that it's OEM,
so thanks for the pointers.  :)

-----Original Message-----
From: v8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf
Of dsaad at icehouse.net
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:09 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [V8] Heater Core Question

I just went through "heater core heck"

Here is what I learned:

Make sure it is bad. My problem in the end turned out to be a loose hose
connection from the valve to the core. My OEM core is still good but I
did not discover this until after the following:

First I tried an all metal (brass) core. It did not fit too well, and it
actually failed after a few months. It developed a leak in the core. I
think this has to do with the fact it was brass, and electrolisys ate it
up. In fact, there was a warning in the box that said this could happen.
Go figure.

Next I tried the aftermarket plastic/aluminium unit. It is still in
there - but it stunk like crazy for months (by this I mean your eys
would water and you had to open the windows). Some sort of toxic junk on
it I suppose (it was made in China after all). It seems to be mostly OK
now, which is good with winter comeing on.

So - OEM is of course best but way expensive.
Stay away from the brass.
If you get the made in China unit (likely) clean it off with solvent
before you put it in the car.


Dave

Quoting "Klein, Nathan P" <nathan.p.klein at lmco.com>:

> Hey y'all,
>
> My partially severed finger is pretty much healed, so I'm going to try

> to find out what's up with the heater core this weekend.
>
> I think this has already been answered, but I wanted to confirm before

> I order the part:
>
> Is the heater core on the V8 interchangeable with the 100?  Any other 
> VAG cross-compatibility?
>
> There aren't many V8s down here (I've only seen one other in 
> Dallas-Fort Worth), so parts guys aren't too familiar with 'em.
>
> Thanks!
> Nathan
>
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