What Causes Your Volkswagen’s Heater Core to Clog?

Did you notice that your Volkswagen’s heater isn’t as effective as it usually is or did you observe a strange smell that seems to appear every time you turn the heater on? These symptoms may be a sign of a common issue- heater core clogs. If the heater core isn’t working well, your trips during cold weather can quickly become uncomfortable. Let’s discuss what the heater core is, why it clogs, and how you can address the problem.

What Is The Function Of The Heater Core?

The heater core is one of the central parts of the cabin heating system of Volkswagen automobiles. When it is in operation, it works somewhat like a small radiator, to transfer heat from the engine’s coolant into the cabin area so that the passengers can feel warm when the weather is cold. Sometimes the heater core gets blocked which stops the flow of the coolant and reduces the heat transfer. This may lead to the absence of heat within the cabin even when you turn on the heater and it could also spell doom to the cooling system of the engine.

Possible Reasons Why Heater Cores Get Clogged

• Corrosion and Rust: Rust and corrosion can accumulate in your Volkswagen automobile cooling system if the coolant is not replaced from time to time. The metal particles that are formed from the corroding metal parts are usually small particles that can circulate in the coolant system; these particles when trapped in the heater core will cause blockage. This corrosion can gradually build up to a point where it completely blocks the heater core compromising its heat transfer rate.
• Poor Coolant Quality or Wrong Coolant Type: Your Volkswagen has a unique type of coolant that makes it work efficiently, and if the wrong type of coolant is used, the cooling system tends to clog up. Coolants of a lower grade or of lesser quality may lack the additives that will help prevent corrosion, in which case sediment and other deposits can form in the heater core. Moreover, when you have a blend of two or more coolants, a chemical reaction happens, and what you get is a sludge that can block the heater core.
• Old or Contaminated Coolant: Just like engine oil, the coolant requires a replacement after some time in order to have your Volkswagen cooling and heating system in the right working condition. Coolant degrades with time, it gets mixed with dirt, debris, and even rust forms at the bottom of the reservoir. This contaminated coolant circulates through the heater core and these impurities can accumulate and block the heater core.
• Improper Cooling System Maintenance: Proper care of the cooling system is very important in avoiding heater core blockages. Flushing the cooling system, changing of coolant, and checking for leaks all go a long way in ensuring the system is clean. Failure to undertake or delay these services creates an opportunity for buildup to take place and this may lead to blockage of the heater core. Failing to service a car’s cooling system is among the leading causes of clogs in the heater core of many Volkswagen cars.

What to Do When You Have Heater Core Issues

• Cooling System Flush: A cleaning solution is forced through the car’s heater core system to flush out sludge and debris deposits which may help to solve minor clogs in the heater core.
• Heater Core Replacement: If the clog is very serious or the heater core is damaged, then the heater might have to be replaced. Heater core replacement is usually more cumbersome than flushing however, it is the most effective lasting solution for addressing clogging issues.

Why Go To Franklin Automotive For Your Volkswagen Maintenance and Repairs?

The heating system in a car plays an important role in people’s lives during winter and that is why at Franklin Automotive, we do our best to help Volkswagen drivers in Birmingham, AL restore the performance of their heating system. We have professional technicians who are fully trained to handle VW’s heater core or cooling system needs.

With our highly skilled team, clients can be assured that their vehicle will be in excellent condition and well-equipped for any road condition before it leaves our garage. Our main goal is to provide the highest quality of service and make sure, with the help of state-of-the-art facilities, that you can get from one place to another regardless of weather and climate. We also conveniently serve drivers from nearby areas such as Pelham, Hoover, Homewood, Trussville, Vestavia, and Mountain Brook, AL. Call us now to find out how we can assist in unblocking your VW heater core.