[CTSpyder]

Craig and others,

I am lucky to have come across your collective writings on heater core replacement. Craig, a fine set of DIY instructions on your personal page..thank you. I am not experiencing core issues but am concerned my 2002 Spyder GT could wreak havoc at any time. For now, I will go with the 3' heater hose bypass. Now being that I am an amateur mechanic at best I do have a few dumb questions:

1) Assuming the heater core is a radiator of sorts will by-passing increase the system temperature and cause over-heating? Does the thermostat compensate?
2) I assume AC is a separate system from the heater core. I swear I read somewhere that if you by-pass the heater core you lose AC as well. That can't be true, correct? Perhaps I am confused?
3) Better to air purge or water purge then air purge the disconnected heater core?
4) As long as I can live without heat I should be fine driving with the by-pass for as long as I want?

Any answers/advice deeply appreciated. I would like to tackle the DIY bypass as soon as possible.

 

[CTSpyder]

Many thanks, RJ. Air not passing through the core now makes sense to me. It is not as though the heater core bleeds a significant amount of heat. I agree that the liquid volume is low and there should be very little impact. By my crazy math the 3/4" x 3' by-pass hose will hold approximately 8.8 US liquid ounces so not really removing much away from the system.

volume of a cylinder = pi x radius squared x height
3.14 x (.375)(.375) x 36 = 15.90 cubic inches
1 cubic inch = 0.004329 US liquid gallon
15.90 cubic inches = 0.068831 US liquid gallon
0.068831 x 128 ounces = 8.81 liquid ounces

 

[CTSpyder]

No need to apologize. I thought I would post my questions on the board as well. This board has been of tremendous assistance to me on several topics. I think I fully understand the bypass procedure at this time. My only questions would be what is the best way to bleed the system after bypassing? I am concerned that an air pocket will form once I disconnect the hoses from the core.