How to Clean Oil Residue From a Heater Core

The heater core of an automobile is responsible for heating the car interior so you stay comfortable when driving in the winter. The heater core connects to the radiator and uses the cooling system to divert heat from the engine to your heater vents. The core gets dirty over time from exposure to oil and engine contaminants so cleaning it once or twice a year helps it resist corrosion. Removing oil residue from a heater coil might help save you the cost of auto repairs.

Radiator flush

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the cap to your engine radiator when the car is turned off and the engine is cool. Drain the radiator and then close the drain cock.
- 2
  Empty a container of radiator flush into the radiator and then fill the rest of the system with water. Radiator flush cleans the inside of the radiator and the heater core, removing oil residue in the process. You might need additional cleaner if your radiator holds more than 12 quarts. Follow any instructions on the packaging regarding amounts.
- 3
  Turn on the car and turn the heater all the way up. Let the heater run for 10 minutes after the engine heats up. Turn off the engine and allow the engine to cool fully. Wait at least an hour to be safe.
- 4
  Drain the radiator again, close the drain cock and then refill it with regular water. This helps wash out the radiator cleaner. Run the engine with the heat on high for another 10 minutes.
- 5
  Wait another hour for the engine to cool and drain the water out. Fill the radiator with 50 percent to 70 percent coolant and top off the rest with water. If you use premixed coolant, don't mix in any more water and just fill the radiator with coolant.
- 6
  Tighten the cap on the radiator again and run the engine for 20 minutes to circulate the fresh coolant through the radiator and heater core. The core shouldn't have any remaining oil residue on it when you're finished.

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