Stupid 3.0 heater hose question...

[440trk]

Does the heater core "supply" hose go to on the top of the heater core or the bottom? This is a standard Temp controlled car, with A/C, if it matters.

91 3.0 5spd Daytona

Currently, my heater core HOT supply hose goes to the TOP of the heater core. with the lower heater core outlet being a bit cooler, and thereby the return hose. Wouldn't it make more sense to put the supply on the bottom, so any sediment(junk) that settled, would not be able to collect and clog the heater core?

Yep, my heater core is partially clogged, and it's getting pretty damn cold out. I looked at the Factory Service manual, and it is not clear on how they are to be hooked up (one crappy photo for the Auto-temp system). On the 3.0 coolant flow diagram, they show the heater core as left/right setup, and not an up/down setup.

Anyhow, I'm going to switch the hoses tonight and see if it helps. I'm just curious which way they are "SUPPOSED" to be connected to begin with.

Thanks!
Mike (440trk)

[jonny mopar]

I really don't think it matters???? I may be wrong. But i would hook the hoses up so that the hose that pumps water goes to the top of the core and the outher hose to the bottom of the core. I dorve our 87 z the outher day and it has NO HEAT i was going to do the same thing you are ging to do. But then it spun a rod bearing so no need to worrie about it having heat now.

[topdollar69]

I have a similiar problem on my 90 spirit. The core must be partially clogged, because it takes forever for even a small amount of heat to start coming out. Is there any way to unclog a heater core without removing it? Ive had to remove heater boxes before, so I know its not fun.

Thanks

Ben Huebner

[mwinkle353]

Back flush it with a garden hose.

Just remove the heater hoses. Then hook up a garden hose to the Outlet and run water through it. after is looks like it's clearing up, the reverse the process by hooking up the hose to the inlet. Do this about 2-3 times and it will usually unlodge the blockage in the heater core.

Wink

[mwinkle353]

Inlet is the upper connection. Outlet is the lower.


Wink

[topdollar69]

I tried back flushing it with the hose, it did help somewhat, but it's still not heating as well as it used to.

[440trk]

Update:

I switched the inlet/outlet setup on the Daytona, and now it's got HEAT....like boil you out of the car HEAT.
I now have the supply line going into the bottom, and the return coming out of the top. I had done the garden hose trick a couple of time already, multiple backflushes each time, etc.. The previous owner put some junk in the coolant system (stop leak?) and even after two complete system flushes, a little of it remains. I'll have to do a complete flush AGAIN in the spring, when the weather gets warmer (I already shut off the outside water here due to freezing temps). Anyhow, switching the inlet/outlet config. worked just fine. Only took a couple of minutes to swap the hoses, and minimal coolant loss. Just be sure to top off the overflow when you're done.


Wink:
Yea, that's how mine was originally hooked up too. But apparently it will work when hooked up in either direction (which I was hoping). I'm pretty sure it's SUPPOSED to be hooked up as you stated....I think switching the hoses just unclogged the Heater core. Thanks for the confirmation on original layout. I will probably return mine to that setup in the spring (or next time it clogs and it's 30º out...LOL)

Thanks!!
Mike(440trk)