Heater Core
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Marauder, 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, and 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and dangerous. If it is necessary to operate the engine with the vehicle in a closed area such as a garage, always use an exhaust collector to vent the exhaust gases outside the closed area.
- Inspect for evidence of coolant leakage at the heater water hose to heater core attachments. A coolant leak in the heater water hose could follow the heater core tube to the heater core (18476) and appear as a leak in the heater core.
- Check the integrity of the heater water hose clamps.
NOTE:
Testing of returned heater cores reveals that a large percentage of heater cores were good and did not require replacement. If a heater core leak is suspected, the heater core must be tested by carrying out the plugged heater core component test before the heater core pressure test. Carry out a system inspection by checking the heater system thoroughly as follows:
NOTE:
Spring-type clamps are installed as original equipment. Installation and overtightening of non-specification clamps can cause leakage at the heater water hose connection and damage the heater core.