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1998 Chevy Truck 4 heater cores in 2 years?

Tiny
TFRY7
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
I have put 4 heater cores in this truck and now I need to do it again. They keep blowing out the heater hose line connection. Also, I am on my third radiator, the factory weld has broke in all 3 cases. I was blaming it on being Made in China, however I believe this is no longer the case? My mechanic who works on the truck has been repairing cars for over 30 years and is not sure what is going on. Pep Boys has also replaced the Radiator twice.

The last heater core was put in April 2009 and this winter I did not have heat as well. Living in Arizona I can go without heat. :)

Any suggestions as to what might be going on here? I have owned this truck since 2006 and I think they were original Heater Core and Radiator?

Thank you!
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Sunday, February 14th, 2010 AT 5:46 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
Most people Arizona do not run coolant in the vehicles, when you first purchased at truck didn't have water in it? Have your mechanic also check it for blown head gasket, you may be creating too much pressure that is putting that cooling system under load.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
TFRY7
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for the answer! Yes, my mechanic did mention head gasket as well. We just replaced the heater core and it was not blown out like I thought it would be? It looked OK, however I also was not getting heat this winter and like you said being in Arizona I do not need heat that much, however when we put the new heater core in I now have my heat back. We are still looking into the blown gasket and I do use the Dex Cool by GM Anti Freeze. Thank you for your help.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
Part of your problem may be if you mixed "Dex Cool by GM Anti Freeze" with the existing coolant, it will coagulate, in other words it will plug up your cooling system, that is probably why the heater core was not blown but it was plugged up, I suggest you do a flush and make sure it's a power flush and clean your whole system and then add Dex Cool.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 10:44 AM

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