hardrock2401

I have had a problem with my heater core plugging up almost once a week for this whole entire winter. I will have full hot heat then all the sudden i will have beer nothing. I flush the heater core and everything goes back to normal for another week or two. Every time I open the cap to check my coolant I have these little black specks floating around. I'm guessing they are clogging my heater core.

I have flushed my motor two times and still they come back. Any idea what this could be. The radiator is about a year old and the overflow is brand new. I do not lose coolant, car never overheats. Just lose my best and I'm tired of flushing the heater core every week or two

Nave43

Firstly please list your Vehicle, motor code, all mods, and recent mechanical maintenance. Everything even if it seems unrelated. Go read the link below, then come back and finish reading my post.
https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-d...sting-3002401/









Did you properly bleed your coolant every time you do a flush? Any fluctuating idle?

I have two guesses as to what the specs could be, try and catch some and inspect them more closely. At least figure out if they are solid or malleable.

Oil (which means bad things)
Bits of coolant tubing.. From an install or just breaking down overtime.

hardrock2401

It's a bone stock 96 ex (unknown miles, odo was broke when bought). Head gasket, radiator, water pump, and timing belt were all done in 2013. Have had no problems since until this winter....now I have non stop problems with the heater core clogging

Yes the system is properly bled each time it's flushed. I have caught a spec and just turns into liquid when rubbed in between my fingers.

BryanM.

iTrader: (1)

Carbon deposits?

JarvisW

Had something like this happen with my Dads Sol.

It was either his warped head that did it, or it was a bad hose. (we replaced all, it was 300k miles) It eventually filled up the overflow so it was hard to tell its level.

May not be it, but something to look at.

hardrock2401

The head was resurfaced at the time of the head gasket being replaced. All the hoses are stock to my knowledge other than the upper and lower radiator hose. They are new. My guess would be the car has 200k on it.

I don't feel anything when I rub a spec between my fingers. Just disolves.

JarvisW

His was about 175k or so when all this happened too.. Went another 125k and didn't see it happen again. But we changed all the hoses, even the ones in back with the heater etc.

may need to get all the hoses in the back too?

hardrock2401

I'll try my two heater hoses. The one is pretty crusty looking.

JarvisW

Get them from Majestic, etc, most of us don't trust aftermarket, and the bends in the hoses are so specific, might as well. (plus isn't much more)

Then flush it some more. I ran the hose in it for about 20 mins with the engine running too, so it might not be flushed out completely for you yet, but that nasty hose may be disintegrating from the inside, so might as well be sure.

Nave43

2x on majestic, just make sure you compare it against your local dealer. Majestics shipping and handling can get ridiculous. My 2 grommets for 5$ turned into 20$ after shipping/handling last time i was on majestic.

After reading all this i have my money on bits of tubing. Its just strange that they would turn to liquid like that... depends on how broken down it is i guess.

Make sure you come back and let us know how that goes. I am quite curious.

hardrock2401

Called my dealer bright and early this morning and ordered both of my heater hoses. Got them both for $20 and will have them tomorrow. Faster than online. I will keep you guys posted.

This next time I flush it I will take the thermostat out. Wondering if maybe that's my problem.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

I cannot believe the mods are allowing a thread like this to remain here.

RACIST! OP IS RACIST!











Any pics of these black spots? Does it look like it could be oil or just dirt?

ejv8s10

He doesn't like black specks? LOL.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

I know right? Trying to tell us that Black Specks stole his heater!


Racist accusations aside, I'm willing to bet that these Black Specks did not steal his heat and the problem may lie in the coolant hoses, specifically the hoses leading to the heater core. Rather than jumping to conclusions and blaming the first black specks you see, I would've checked the flow output of the hoses to see if there was a blockage which was restricting flow to or from the core. Something as small as a piece of thermostat gasket breaking off and entering the system could cause the heater not to work, but some people would rather resort to racism.

hardrock2401

The hoses flow well. To flush the heater core I take the one off behind the head and the one on the side under the distributer. I have crafted a little hose nozzle that fit the hoses tight. I blast a pretty good stream of water through both sides a few times a piece and the water exits with just as much pressure.

I have already got the new hoses in and on, flushed everything once again and put it all back together. I have very good heat at the moment. But only time will tell if it stays that way.

Edit...the thermostat and gasket are both brand newish oem parts, maybe a month or two old.

Glen Tennis

Do you have pics of the black specs? Could it be oil? I have the same problem. I have a 98 LX Sedan and it has black specs in the coolant, which is oil.

hardrock2401

Well I have retained my heat since I did the hoses, but now the coolant is all draining into the overflow. My guess would be I have a blown hg. Will do a pressure test soon and probably be let down :/

Nave43

This may seem like a dumb question but when you did the hoses did you move your overflow? If its lower than before, gravity may be stealing your coolant and not the "black specks". It seems weird that it would do that now but not before if it was the HG.

hardrock2401

The black specks I'm guessing is carbon deposits in my oil. It doesn't look like oil and I can't think of anything else it would be. I don't know how longs the specks have been there. Really didn't notice them until I was constantly having problems with my heat. I literally have to drain my overflow back into radiator every time I drive. I need two hose clamps on the radiator hose at each end or it will leak, everything points to a hg.

No the hose for the overflow has not changed since I got the car.