any 850 how to prewash the $38.00 htr core?

Post by **JimBee** » 05 Jul 2015, 21:22

I have one that I'm ready to install but am aware of some complaints that they smell foul unless prewashed, ideally in a dishwasher.

I don't have access to a dishwasher that could be used for that and am wondering if other methods of precleaning have been tried. Might a strong solvent such as Simple Green interact badly with the aluminum
How about a Calgon bath and thorough hosing to rinse?

Suggestions welcome.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Jul 2015, 10:31

Don't sweat solvent doing anything to Aluminum - scrub scrub scrub with lots of bubbles.

Or take it to a carwash and hit with the high pressure hose and soap.

Post by **b2fkb0** » 09 Jul 2015, 04:50

Dishwasher works fine. Used dish soap in a bucket as well. Just to eliminate the manufacturing oil that you'd smell for days otherwise.

Post by **E Showell** » 14 Jul 2015, 09:00

Try months, not days. . .

mika · Post by **mika** » 14 Jul 2015, 09:55

I did not wash it and have not had issues. I do wish I would have flushed with a little bit of coolant though. Mine did not seem greasy though on the outside otherwise I would have cleaned it. Try an old tooth brush and some dishsoap. No sweat not getting caught up on small details. You got plenty of details left to figure out when laying on your back looking up at the heater compartment

Post by **E Showell** » 14 Jul 2015, 10:09

It is hit or miss. Some stink, some don't, all from the same vendor.

Arvidalex · Post by **Arvidalex** » 22 Jul 2015, 06:19

I had a behr rwplacement with absolutely no smells.....first time i hear this

Post by **E Showell** » 22 Jul 2015, 06:39

The Behr one's don't stink. It is only the ones from Swedishautolampsforless, i.e., the re-designed Estonian heater cores, that smell.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Jul 2015, 04:57

We had another thread on this with success and failure stories...can't find it.

If one you remembers can you bump it so I can link?

Post by **Ben850** » 24 Jul 2015, 20:36

Arvidalex wrote:I had a behr rwplacement with absolutely no smells.....first time i hear this

Behr does not cost $38.
Keep reading. Your first post here sounds like an advertisement.

This thread seems to be about dealing with the only perceived down side of the inexpensive heater core that is available through the said company. The initial smell from the manufacturing process.

I have in fact installed one of these, while noticing an odor for a short time, it did go away.