New Heater Core - Should it look like this?

TBrown00 · Post by **TBrown00** » 27 Jan 2015, 14:42

Just received a new heater core from IPD and some of the fins are bent. Is this normal or should I sent it back for another one?

Post by **dosbricks** » 27 Jan 2015, 14:49

My second ebay core had some bent fins--first one was perfect. I didn't sent it back--decided it was not worth the hassle.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jan 2015, 20:07

These fins are mainly cosmetic and not in view once installed. Chances are more will get bent on installation. As they are pictured they will work fine. The fins are easily damaged by handling so be careful! I once had a radiator shipped with UPS that arrived bent in the middle but it was beyond repair and use. Dealer supplied another on an over-night.

Worth mentioning it to IPD though, as it could have been poor packaging that caused it and they may give you a discount.

Neil.

TBrown00 · Post by **TBrown00** » 27 Jan 2015, 20:52

Thanks! I'll be extra careful installing it

Post by **jreed** » 28 Jan 2015, 04:55

I had a similar experience with a Behr core I bought from IPD. It arrived with lots of bent fins. I sent it back and they gave me a refund (In my experience IPD has the best customer service in the car parts industry). I bought another Behr core from FCP, which arrived without as many bent fins -- it looked like your photos above. I installed it earlier this month and it seems to be working so far... I haven't noticed any problems yet.

hanzbe420 · Post by **hanzbe420** » 28 Jan 2015, 07:48

buy a fin comb there cheap..

mika · Post by **mika** » 28 Jan 2015, 07:56

Do not bother with a replacement: the fins are cosmetic. Furthermore, during installation of the core into the housing box under the dash: you will likely scratch the fins much more. (so even if you got a new one, you will most likely scratch it much worse than what you are looking at now)

The copper/metal piping of the core (what you dont see, underneath the fins) is what does the job of flowing coolant through it: the fins are just act as a heat sink. dont get caught up on details and extra time with a replacement... and get the heat running =) It is winter after all

dorvin · Post by **dorvin** » 28 Jan 2015, 08:09

I had the same problem with a heater core I installed last weekend. A few bent fins, I combed them out, and about 400 miles later, so far so good!

TBrown00 · Post by **TBrown00** » 30 Jan 2015, 09:55

Installed it without any issues and it works great so far! Heat works and, most importantly, no more leaks

Post by **j-dawg** » 30 Jan 2015, 14:39

The fins are there, as on any radiator, to increase the surface area that's dissipating heat from the pipes to the air. I wouldn't call them "cosmetic", but if a few of them are flattened it just means there's not gonna be any airflow behind those. The effect on heat transfer will be negligible unless there's a giant patch of flattened fins blocking flow completely.

As other have noted, it's pretty tough to install the core without nicking a few fins anyway.