Heater Core Leak Check

Inspection 

• 1.
  
  
  NOTE: A coolant leak in the heater hose could follow the heater core tube to the heater core and appear as a leak in the heater core.

  Inspect for evidence of coolant leakage at the heater hose to heater core attachments.

• 2.
  
  
  NOTE: Spring-type clamps are installed as original equipment. Installation and overtightening of nonspecified clamps can cause leakage at the heater hose connection and damage the heater core.

  Check the integrity of the heater hose clamps.

• 3.
  
  Drain the coolant from the cooling system. Refer to the appropriate Cooling System Draining, Filling, and Bleeding procedure in the appropriate Engine Cooling System article.

• 4.
  
  Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core.

• 5.
  
  Install a short piece of heater hose, approximately 101 mm (4 in) long on each heater core tube.

• 6.
  
  Fill the heater core and heater hoses with water and install the plug (221373) and the adapter (221374) from the Pressure Test Kit. Secure the heater hoses, plug and adapter with hose clamps.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

• 7.
  
  Attach the pump and gauge assembly from the Pressure Test Kit to the adapter.
  • 014-R1072 Radiator Pressure Test Set

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

• 8.
  
  Close the bleed valve at the base of the gauge. Pump 138 kPa (20 psi) of air pressure into the heater core.

• 9.
  
  Observe the pressure gauge for a minimum of 3 minutes.

• 10.
  
  If the pressure drops, check the heater hose connections to the heater core tubes for leaks. If the heater hoses do not leak, replace the heater core.