OEM 2004 Dodge Caravan Heater Core

2004 Dodge Caravan Heater Core Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Prevent Air Entrapment and Coolant Issues in Your Heater Core on 2004 Dodge Caravan?

  A: When the rear heater core is installed, it sits higher than the radiator cap, causing not enough coolant in the engine and air in the heater core, resulting in engine overheating and bad performance from the rear heater. Preventing these issues requires the rear heater core to be pre-filled with the correct coolant mix before you reattach all the heater hoses, as long as it or rear HVAC housing has been taken off. First, set the heater core in place in the rear HVAC housing and then take care to avoid spills on the carpet when you install it in the vehicle. Make sure the proper sized funnel is used and put its small tip into the upper hose where the heater core attaches. Pour until the coolant comes out from the lower hose at the heater core. Clean the area where liquid was spilled, attach the loose hoses and add fluid to the cooling system. When there is no heater core fluid in the rear heater core, thermal cycling must be done. Fill the engine's cooling system, start the vehicle until the thermostat opens, shut it off, let it cool and check the coolant each time, repeating this two or more times. To inspect the rear heater, idle the engine and let it get to its usual temperature, stop the front heater by turning down heater-A/C, set the rear heater to the hottest setting and make the rear blower speed as high as it will go. Time the temperature of the air that comes out of the rear heater at the base of the right C-pillar and make sure it floats between 57°F and 63°F. To check that the rear heater core is properly filled. If your performance check is not good, it could be that air is trapped in the rear heater core or parts of the rear heater system are blocked.