How Does It Work?
- As coolant is directed through multiple tubes in the heater core, the aluminum fins surrounding the tubes dissipate heat from the engine coolant into the ambient air
- The heater core has an inlet tube and an outlet tube where coolant is returned to the engine
- A blower motor fan then pushes the warm air into the vehicle cabin on the demand of the temperature controls
- Cabin temperature, airflow source and vent location are further controlled by the blend doors per direction of either manual or electronic controls
How Is It Made?
- Long brass tube with several bends wrapped within many aluminum fins stacked slightly apart
How Does It Fail?
- Clogged
- Deterioration from the inside out
- Worn out coolant
- Leaking engine coolant
What are Symptoms of Failure?
- Loss of heating efficiency
- If a leak is occurring, you may notice that the windshield becomes foggy, a damp spot on the floor and/or a sweet-smelling odor which is emanating from the leaked engine coolant
What Are the Consequences of Failure?
- Vehicle may overheat and stop running
- Vehicle may stop working