Are you having trouble identifying the inlet and outlet on your vehicle’s heater core? Here’s a simple how-to guide that can help you.
Understanding the inlet and outlet hoses is essential when dealing with faulty heater cores. Otherwise, your repair job won’t be successful. Most DIYers have difficulties identifying these two hoses correctly.
In general, to identify inlet and outlet hoses in your heater core, follow these methods.
- Trace the hoses and identify them.
- Check the heater control valve.
- Physically check the temperature of the hoses.
- Look for any markings on the hoses.
- Check the Vehicle’s Instruction manual.
Get more details about these five methods from the below guide.
5 Ways to Identify Inlet and Outlet Hoses in Heater Core
In this section. I’ll teach you five ways to identify the inlet and outlet hoses in the heater core. Before starting with these methods, you should locate the heater core.
Most people struggle to locate the heater core. So, I’ll cover that part first.
How to Locate the Heater Core in Your Vehicle?
The heater core is often located in the vehicle’s firewall and the instrument panel. All of these components are located inside the passenger-side dashboard. You’ll have to remove some outlet panels to access the heater core.
Method 1 – Trace the Hoses
Tracing the hoses is the easiest way to identify the inlet and outlet hoses in a heater core. All you have to do is follow the hoses to their source.
The hose that goes from the heater core to the engine is the inlet hose.
And the hose that goes from the heater core to the water pump is the outlet hose.
Most often, the inlet hose is the lower hose. But this could change depending on the model of the vehicle.
Tip: The inlet hose carries hot coolant from the engine to the heater core. On the other hand, the outlet hose carries the cooler coolant from the heater core to the engine.
Method 2 – Heater Control Valve
Most vehicle models come with a heater control valve in the heater core. This valve is designed to control the flow of the hot coolant. Remember, hot coolants are part of the inlet hose.
Hence, the hose with the heater control valve is the inlet hose of the heater core. And the other hose is the outlet hose. This is also an easy method to identify the inlet and outlet hoses in a heater core.
However, not all vehicle models come with a heater control valve. Therefore, you cannot entirely depend on this method.
Method 3 – Check the Temperature
This is also a convenient way to identify the inlet and outlet hoses. As you already know, the inlet hose carries hot coolant, and the outlet hose carries cool coolant.
Because of that, the inlet hose is hot, and the outlet hose is cool. Thus, with a simple temperature check, you can easily identify the inlet and outlet hoses.
Touch the hose with your hand. The hot one is the inlet hose, and the cool one is the outlet hose.
If you are worried about burning your hand, use a temperature gun instead of your hand.
The Downside of this Method
If the inlet hose comes with a heater control valve, checking the temperature won’t be the best method since the valve might restrict the flow of hot coolant.
Method 4 – Check for Any Markings on the Hoses
This method will work on some vehicle models and not others. However, if it works, you can identify inlet and outlet hoses without breaking a sweat.
In some vehicles, you can find the corresponding marking on the hoses. The hoses will display their identity. Hence, make sure to check such markings in your heater core. It will make your life much easier.
Method 5 – Refer to the Vehicle’s Manual
Inspecting the vehicle’s manual is another easy way to find the inlet and outlet hoses in the heater core. Looking carefully, you can see a diagram pointing out the inlet and outlet hoses. But finding the diagram won’t be easy since the vehicle’s instruction manual has many diagrams.
Thus, carefully go through the manual and find the corresponding diagram. Then, identify the inlet and outlet hoses correctly.
What is Heater Core?
A basic understanding of the heater core will be useful during DIY heater core repair projects. Because of that, I’ll teach you about the heater core in this section.
Keeping the vehicle’s interior warm is the main purpose of the heater core. Suppose you know how radiators work in an automobile’s cooling system. In that case, you can easily understand the heater core because the heater core is similar to a small radiator. And at the same time, these heater cores do more for your vehicle.
For instance, a heater core can remove the heat from the hot coolant in your vehicle. It uses a ventilation system for this hot coolant removal process. And pushes the air into the vehicle using the blower motor.
How Does the Heater Core Work?
Here are some bullet points for how the heater core works. This way, you’ll understand the process more clearly. Always remember that the heater core circulates the hot coolant to warm up the interior.
- The coolant circulates the engine block and the cylinder head to absorb the engine’s heat.
- Inside the outlet hose, the hot coolant releases heat to the air that passes through the hose. Then this air is directed to the vehicle’s interior using a blower fan.
- Inside the inlet hose, the new cooler coolant returns to the engine and carries the heat from the block.
Why Identify the Inlet and Outlet Hoses?
These inlet and outlet hoses often get clogged for various reasons. Hence, you might have to replace one or both hoses according to your situation. And for this replacement, you’ll have to properly identify the inlet and outlet hoses of the heater core.
Reasons for a Clogged Heater Core
As you already know from the above section, the inlet and outlet hoses can get clogged. When that happens, the entire heater core system will begin to malfunction. And the outcomes can be devastating.
But how do the heater core hoses get clogged? Here are a few common reasons for clogged heater cores.
Dirt and Debris
When you use a vehicle regularly, that vehicle will pick up dirt and debris over time. This dirt and debris can get inside the circulation process of the heater core. That means the inlet and outlet hoses will get exposed to this harmful dirt and debris.
And with time, these harmful materials accumulate inside the hoses, resulting in a clogged heater core.
Rust and Corrosion
Vehicles get exposed to rust and corrosion with time. But how can rust and corrosion build up inside the heater core hoses?
After some time, coolant can convert into acidic. This acidic form can cause rust and corrosion heavily. Because of that, heater core hoses can get clogged. That is why properly maintaining the vehicle’s cooling system is so important. It will prevent acidic build-up inside your inlet and outlet hoses.
Chemical Reactions
When using coolant for the heater core, you should be extra careful. The wrong mixture of chemicals can be dangerous. It can cause a reaction that can clog the heater core. For instance, a bad chemical reaction can create sludge or other forms of deposit inside the hoses.
Improper Maintenance
The core will clog if you cannot maintain the heater core properly. Hence, always take care of the maintenance process. It will save you lots of money and time.
What Happened When the Heater Core Gets Clogged?
When the heater core gets clogged, it will affect the performance of the heating process of your vehicle. This will make you and your passengers uncomfortable, especially in cooler weather conditions.
How to Unclog the Heater Core?
Sometimes you might be able to prevent clogging of the heater core.
Unclogging the heater core is not a difficult task. You can flush the heater core with water or cleaner.
Disconnect the two hoses and run water through them. It will remove any blockages inside the inlet and outlet hoses.
References
Video References
Mustang Restorations Inc.
ExpertVillage Leaf Group