How to Reverse Flush an Alero Heater Core
The heater core in your Oldsmobile Alero can get clogged occasionally and will stop allowing hot air to pass through the vents. When this happens, you can repair the heater by running a reverse flush through the system to dislodge any sand or sediment that has collected in the coils, preventing the heater core from working properly. You can complete this procedure in about an hour and restore your Alero heater core so that it works properly.
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Garden hose with nozzle
- Water supply
- Drain bucket
- Coolant
Instructions
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How to Reverse Flush an Alero Heater Core
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1
Locate the two hoses that run through the firewall into the Alero heater core and then follow the hose back to the engine. Locate the outlet heater hose that runs to the water pump.
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2
Disconnect the two heater hoses at the engine with a screwdriver by undoing the screw clamps at the end of the hoses. Slide the clamps up the hoses about two inches and then pull the hoses off the outlet valves.
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3
Place a drain bucket on the ground under the inlet hose for the heater core and place the garden hose with a nozzle in the end of the outlet heater core hose. Turn the water supply on and allow the water to run through the system.
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4
Run the water through the outlet hose until you see sediment coming out of the inlet hose into the bucket. Place the garden hose and nozzle into the inlet hose and run the outlet hose into the drain bucket.
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5
Flush the system, alternating back and forth with the garden hose until you see the drain water going from dark brown to clear liquid. Turn off the garden hose and reattach the heater core hoses to the engine.
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6
Remove the drain bucket from under the vehicle and refill the coolant overflow reservoir until it is half full of coolant. Start the engine and turn on the heater to test the heater core.
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7
Turn off the the engine when you have verified the heater core works and then dispose of the drained coolant and fluid at your local recycling center.
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Tips & Warnings
Allow the Alero engine to cool down before attempting to flush out the heater core.
