Downsides to bypassing heater core on 2000 Explorer

[Eighty51]

I'm pretty sure my heater core is leaking coolant (not much, because I never turn it on). I've read about the nightmare it is to replace and I'm not interested in doing it on such an ancient vehicle or paying the $1600+ to get it replaced so I'm thinking of bypassing it in the cooling loop. From what I understand defrosting uses the AC compressor and not the heater and I never drive in really cold climates.

 

[Jason94sport]

My current X is not bypassed, but my 1st gens I had were. I never had any issues.

 

[J_C]

No issues except that defrost does use the heater if the dial is set to it. I depend on that defrost heater dozens of times every winter. Hot air not only defrosts and deices but also defogs the inside faster. If it's never cold there then you don't need that.

 

[koda2000]

Downside is no heat. You might want to try a bottle of K-Seal first. Many (including myself) have had very good success using it. Even if it doesn't work it wont hurt anything.