Heater Core: Description and Operation

Front Heater Core:

The heater core is mounted into the HVAC housing, located behind the instrument panel. The heater core is a heat exchanger made of rows of tubes and fins. The heater core tubes are attached to the heater core by using O-ring seals and bolts.

The heater core is serviced by removing and disassembling the HVAC housing.

Engine coolant is circulated through the heater hoses to the heater core whenever the heater water valve is cycled open by the ATC A/C-heater control. 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 heater water valve controls the heater output air temperature by controlling the amount of heated engine coolant flowing through the heater core. 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.