Heater Core Bypass VW Passat

Chaz shows you how to bypass the heater core on a 2004 VW Passat 4-Motion wagon with 236,000 miles. The job to replace the heater core is intense, the dash needs to be pulled and many things disconnected. Bypassing is a simple cost effective way to keep the car running, the downside is the heat no longer works. Enjoy the video!
Links to a few videos showing how to replace the heater core on this vehicle:
Auto Scholar with Mr B: • Volkswagen Passat Heat...
AutoTech: • Passat Heater Core Rep...
BertsFordFactory: • 01 VW Passat Heater Co...

[@Snowdog216]

Good info, thanks. The first step is to get a shop vac on the carpet.
Note there is probably a control module on the floorboard. Maybe try to verify that some other way. And they sit in recessed area , so will be soaking in coolant. So for that reason and just to clean it and dry it out, you have to pull up the carpet. It has to be done. That will most likely never dry out unless carpet is removed. And personally I would not want coolant fumes in the vehicle forever.
You will need a shop vac, a sponge, and garden hose, and just water to wet down the metal and vacuum the water out. And you need to rinse out the sponge. Putting it a bucket is simply diluting the coolant, better than nothing, but it will still smell. And repeat on the carpet.
Oh and remove the control module cover and set the model aside, or better just disconnect it and get it out of the way. Clean all contacts with contact cleaner, look for rusty contacts.
I know, not what anyone wants to hear.

[@ProjectswithChaz]

Nice feedback and tips! Thank you.

[@Snowdog216]

As for the windshield cowling, stand in the front of the car, slowly lower the hood onto your back while leaning forward, so that way the lift strut is about an inch away from the forward cowling lip, giving you enough room to remove/replace the rubber trim and cowling.

[@Petesworkshop2225]

Great wrench work chaz!
I've got the same car, with the same problem.

[@ProjectswithChaz]

I’m not sure I want to spend 10 hours removing my dash to change heater core and have my car take a dump 6 months later, with 245,000 miles her window is closing. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@Jhonnynova]

"Then i gotta get him stuffed" 😂

[@donfavro1944]

What size are the adapters and what size is the hose and or what is the part # for the hose and adaptrs and which parts store has this stuff? I think we al kinda know what needed to be done to by pass it, that is the easy part, isn't it?

[@ProjectswithChaz]

I drove car to O’Reilly Auto parts and popped the hood, told the dude what I wanted to do and he snagged the u hose and adapters, not sure what size. Have them look up the heater core coolant hose size for your year/model and let them fetch the parts. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@donfavro1944]

@@ProjectswithChaz Thanks!

[@Thedrifter1986]

I did the same when I broke it

[@nickrichmond277]

Does AC STILL WORK?

[@ProjectswithChaz]

You know what I don’t know for sure, I did this video last fall and wasn’t using my AC in Michigan at the time. The wagon has been in my mechanic’s side hustle pole barn getting new brakes and lines and I haven’t driven yet. I don’t think the heater core would interfere with the air conditioning but who knows, I’ll let you know when I get the car back.

[@nickrichmond277]

@@ProjectswithChaz thanks

[@marcior.2153]

@@ProjectswithChaz so no more heat inside the interior even with ac?

[@ProjectswithChaz]

@@marcior.2153 I have the car back from my brake job, air conditioning works and you are correct; no more heat.

[@Jhonnynova]

My heater core cracked at 235,000 also😂