FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Heater Core: Description and Operation

Heater Core - LHD Shown, RHD Typical:





The heater core is located in the HVAC housing, behind the instrument panel. It is a heat exchanger made of rows of tubes and fins. One end of the core is fitted with a molded plastic tank that includes the integral heater core tubes.

Engine coolant is circulated through the heater hoses and heater core at all times. As the coolant flows through the heater core, heat removed from the engine is transferred to the heater core fins and tubes. Air directed through the heater core picks up the heat from the heater core fins. The blend door allows control of the heater output air temperature by regulating the amount of air that is flowing through the heater core within the HVAC housing. The blower motor speed controls the volume of air flowing through the HVAC housing.

The heater core cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.