Another heater core thread/FAQ

[Jace]

So i realised that the heater in my car works well.
I was thinking maybe it could use a flush out, for maintenance sake.

Is this going to kill the core?
Is this going to burst the plumbing and fill the front footwells with water?

What is it that commonly fails in the heater system? Can it be avoided?

Thanks guys.

[h100vw]

Won't do any damage, disconnect both pipes at the firewall. run the hose through one and let the other vent. The way they sit in the heater box, there's scope for them to silt up. There was a fair bit of crap in the bottom of the one that burst in my Toledo.

Gavin

[Jace]

Yeah that's what I was planning on.
Thanks Gavin.

How do they 'burst'? They just corrode and crumble apart, then eventually pop a seam or something?