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my heater has been cut off at cost of 18 dollars compared with 630 to repair till i can afford what i want to know does this effect the running of car ie hurt motor at all long term its a suskuzi wagonr 98 dont know what to do?

Bypassing the heater is a sensible way of keeping repair costs down on older vehicles and to stop the potential for an engine overheat.

You need to be careful however; while bypassing the heater takes away the obvious leak, it will also apply pressure to the next weakest point in the cooling system, so regular checks on the temperature gauge and radiator level should be maintained.