Does water always circulate through a heater?

[jmo]

Hi,

I am winterizing my super sport today (GT40 v drive) and am curious if the engine has to be warmed up (hence the thermostat opens up to circulate water to the block) in order for water to be pushed through the heater - it appears to be the case given the intake for the heater comes from the port side block plug on the bottom and the return comes back into the y junction on top where the thermostat is.

I ask because I plan on dumping out the water from all of the appropriate places and then cycling anti-freeze through the system (per usual) and want to make sure it makes into the heater core. I had the heater installed last Spring.

If it won't unless the engine is hot I'll just manually pour it into the intake hose like I do to fill the block by bypassing the thermostat.

Thanks in advance,

jmo

[ihaveansv211]

RE: Does water always circulate through a heater?

when our heater went out on us it was pouring water all over the bidge from its hoses. this was with the heater off. so im guessing the water does run through it.

[ag4ever]

RE: Does water always circulate through a heater?

I don't know if the water flows thru the heater if the engine is not up to operating temps, but a good way to find out is winterize it, and then pull the hose to see if it is water or antifreeze in the hose.

When I winterized my boat, I just poured the antifreeze in there since it was just as easy to remove the hose as it was not to.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Does water always circulate through a heater?

Water will circulate thru the entire motor including the heater before it is up to temp. It will be at lower flow rate than when the t-stat is open.

You can always remove the t-stat and run the motor to winterize. A new gasket is cheap to replace, not to mention the t-stat ever couple of years or so.

[slob02]

RE: Does water always circulate through a heater?

NCH2oSki.............I agree 100%. Water will fill everthing, even when the engine is cold.

[92Excel]

RE: Does water always circulate through a heater?

Most heaters are set up, if not all, so that they have a constant supply of water from the engine running through them. I'm pretty sure about this. :>)

[wrollema]

RE: Does water always circulate through a heater?

All heaters are connected before the thermostat and circulates as long as the engine operates. Just think, if the heater was connect on the other side of the thermostat the heat from the heater would be dependant on the thermostat being open (one minute hot the next cold).