Plugged heater core and no heat

DODGESUCKS25

MEMBER
2012 DODGE AVENGER
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
86,000 MILES

I got an $1,800.00 invoice for work on my vehicle. The
dealership says the heater core is clogged/damaged and it has affected the
thermostat and radiator. Thus I cannot just do a heater core flush. I need to
replace all three parts first.

I do not want to pay all that and the company does not want to do recall (i have seen
this heater core problem all over the internet for this car).

Is the company playing me? Can I attemp to do just a flush and see if that
fixes the no heat and plugged heater core problem?

How much does a heater core flush cost?

1 Reply

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,293 POSTS

You can flush it yourself actually, but a small mechanic shop will probably do it for cheap. It is a simple process.

(1) open the hood and find where two hoses go to the firewall (the back of the engine compartment, nearest the car's dashboard).
(2) Take both hoses off at their other ends using a pair of pliers or a screwdriver.
(3) Take your water hose and find a way to hook it up to one of the hoses.
(4) Point the other hose as far away from and electrical parts as possible.
(5) Turn the water on just a little bit and let it flow for a minute.
(6) When the water starts coming out clean looking, turn the pressure up and let it run for tenminutes.
(7) Turn the water off and hook the hoses back up the way that they are supposed to go.

Let us know how it goes.