radiator/heater core questions

[txchainsawgogi]

My radiator seems to be hissing at me, I know I've got a leak some where. Given that I know it has a leak AND I know it needs to be flushed, should I just replace it? I'm going for cost effectiveness here!

I was told that if I flush it, it would be a good idea to replace the heater core aswell. Currently neither my heater nor AC work(compressor issue?). So in order to keep costs down, should I spring for a new radiator, bypass the heater core and worry about the AC later?

Just don't wanna patch the radiator after a flush just to have it clog the heater core that I don't use since my compressor is dead.

[Grim 82]

Your heater core and your AC are completely seperate systems.

http://www.autoeducation.com/autoshop101/hvac.htm

A radiator repair is roughly $20. A radiator is roughly $200. Flushing is cheap with a garden hose. I would not bypass your heater core.

[beastie_3]

A new heater core is not expensive. It should be cheaper to have your radiator flushed and repaired.

Your compressor and heater core have nothing to do with each other.

[txchainsawgogi]

I'm aware that my heater core and compressor aren't related. My whole point was that i'd be replacing one thing after another unless I just got rid of my ac unit and bypassed the core.

[beastie_3]

You can get rid of your ac unit without bypassing the heater core.

[Grim 82]

Just don't wanna patch the radiator after a flush just to have it clog the heater core that I don't use since my compressor is dead.

Regardless of your AC compressor, you are in fact using your heater core. You can remove most all of your AC components if you so choose.
To solve your engine cooling system problem, you could remove your radiator and have it flushed and repaired. Then you can remove the heater core hoses and reverse flush them with a garden hose until the water runs out of it clean. Hook it all back up the way you found it and you should be good to go. Be careful with your water pressure when flushing it so that it doesn't damage the inside of the core.

[VileZambonie]

Why do you want to bypass the heater core?

[txchainsawgogi]

Why do you want to bypass the heater core?

To have less stuff that can break. Its what I always do with my cars and motorcycles. A bare essentials kinda thing.

[VileZambonie]

Isn't that kinda like removing your brain so you don't get brain cancer?

If it's not leaking it's not broken.

[beastie_3]

The weight loss gives you more HP

[Irish_Alley]

tx are you coming back to MD for a while cause its going to get cold again this winter and the heater you will miss lol. Even trucks with the bare minimum equipment have heaters I would keep it you never know when you might be somewhere cold

[TexasRed]

Occasionally it does snow in Houston.

[Grim 82]

Even trucks with the bare minimum equipment have heaters

+1
    You don't want to lose the extra coolant capacity either.  I understand the logic behind keeping things simple, but if you live in a climate where you are not concerned with running a heater, you should be even more concerned about having an engine coolant system that works the way it was intended. Heater cores are not a part that needs constant care or replacement, and there is likely nothing wrong with yours. Go fix your radiator and go from there. My $.02

[Grover 1]

A new heater core is only $33.00.  If you're concerned about your old one, that's pretty cheap peace of mind.