Heater core broken - alternatives?

1999 Prerunner, RWD, auto trans

Hi,

I had my heater core disengaged because it was spewing condensation (can't recall why, but my mechanic explained it last spring), and now it just pushes neutral temp air. Now that winter is coming, I'm trying to figure out if I really need a proper replacement, or if I can get an external heater for the truck. I don't need a ton of heat; I don't really use it much anyway! I tend to not like a lot of heat. However, I will need it for my windshield. In this day and age of new, efficient heating devices and so forth, are there any alternatives such as using the cigarette power source to power a small windshield defogger? My friend told me I shouldn't use the cig power source for too long. Is this a problem? Any suggestions? thanks!

 

A heater core spewing condensation? Are you sure it's not the ac evaporator?

 

Hm, not entirely. I did have an issue with my AC belt, so I had it removed and never used AC anyway. So this happened separate from any AC use. My mechanic explained it and disengaged the heater core and it stopped condensating on the windshield after that. But he said I needed a new heater core. I trusted him but I could still ask around and have someone reassess the problem.

 

while changing my upper radiator hose last month i had something like this happen.
it was extremely humid out, very nasty.
i filled up the radiator with the new coolant (about 1/2 gallon) started truck and put the heat on high as i waited for engine to reach operating temp and suck some coolant down (which it never did?!?)

i opened door (windows closed) and pushed my hand on the gas to boost the RPMs some, it was freaking hot inside there with the heater on
all of a sudden there was this misty stuff blowing out of the vents into the humid hot cab

I was not totally sure about that business

 

I venture you should do some research on 12VDC heating units .

Then to get something good that will defrost that inch thick ice.

Might be easier to fix or replace the heater core .

Maybe your Truck lives in a heated garage ?