Difference in evaporator core and heater core

180,000 MILES • 5.4L • V8 • TURBO • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JUAN GONZALEZ2
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  • 1 POST
I have a possible bad heater core, I smell coolant inside my truck. there's a leak on the passenger side floor board, my windshield would get a little fogged up. I've done some homework on how to replace the heater core. A mechanic I used to work with said it was my evaporator core. What's the difference and the on the two and what are the signs of a bad evaporator core?
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:39 PM
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SCGRANTURISMO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Yes, this is your heater core. The heater core provides heat and defrost to your vehicle and is is a small radiator in the dash of your vehicle. The evaporator is part of the air conditioning system and is located in Freon of the radiator on your vehicle. It transfers the heat in your Freon to the outside air in your air conditioning system. I have included a few links for you to go to below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-air-conditioner-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-heater-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-heater-core

Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:01 PM
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