Capped off heater hose?

[Rick19771]

I'm a pretty ignorant fellow when it comes to knowing much about what you all probably view as simple stuff, but does capping where the heater hose goes like this cause any problems?

 

[Torxhead]

If you are eliminating the coolant flow thru the intake manifold, it will affect the air-fuel mixture to the cylinders along with affecting sensors in that manifold. That cap looks like it is ready to let loose anyway.

 

[Rick19771]

Yes, this cap is done. It was capped like this when I bought it. I'm about to replace this cap.. and the thought crossed my mind that possibly this isn't the healthiest setup, so I figured I would ask. Its likely been like that for years. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Texian]

It might have been done because the heater core leaks.

The flow thru the heater core does add coolant capacity to the system. In a tight situation where you are overheating,running the heater blower fan on high is like adding an small second radiator.

If run capped off the intake manifold still has full flow thru it and will not harm anything. The flow thru the heater core and intake are in parallel,not series.

 

[Hedgehog]

If you are worried, run a heater hose directly to the other port, bypassing the heater core. or fix the heater core and plumb it the way it was meant to be plumbed. Both will work.