Heater core / Carpet cleaning?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 925
Likes: 208
From: Cape Cod Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Heater core / Carpet cleaning?
I know this could go in the general cleaning section, but just thought I'd try here first as maybe someone on this forum has had hands on experience...
Looks like the lady friends '86 has sprung a leak - guessing heater core. It has that nice sick sweet smell and the carpets are wet.
So, that leaves me with 2 questions - first is a heater core a shade tree mechanic job?
And second - has anyone had any luck cleaning the carpets after a mess like this or do we have to bite the bullet and get new carpets? Really hate to have to do that as they appear to be in pretty good shape...
Tnx - geo
Looks like the lady friends '86 has sprung a leak - guessing heater core. It has that nice sick sweet smell and the carpets are wet.
So, that leaves me with 2 questions - first is a heater core a shade tree mechanic job?
And second - has anyone had any luck cleaning the carpets after a mess like this or do we have to bite the bullet and get new carpets? Really hate to have to do that as they appear to be in pretty good shape...
Tnx - geo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 14
From: backwoods upstate ny
heater core is ''advanced shade tree''...still better than a shop with a kid trying to '' beat flat rate time'' on a car he's never been into before.
if your anti-freeze was old and full of crud, the carpets are permanently stained, toast...good antifreeze will eventually evaporate (several weeks), no smell, no stain... evap can be accelerated by an elec 'box' fan (or better) to a couple of days...get the car to a detail shop that can ''shampoo + vacuum dry" while still anti-frz soaked for best result.
if your anti-freeze was old and full of crud, the carpets are permanently stained, toast...good antifreeze will eventually evaporate (several weeks), no smell, no stain... evap can be accelerated by an elec 'box' fan (or better) to a couple of days...get the car to a detail shop that can ''shampoo + vacuum dry" while still anti-frz soaked for best result.
Last edited by redrose; Apr 27, 2009 at 10:45 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
Heater core is a real PIA job, most people will tell ya the part # 00001 meaning they built the rest of the car around the heater core, basically most of the dash has to come out unless your double jointed. I really wouldn't call it a "shade tree mechanic job". I think you can save the carpet but it will take a lot of sun and open windows to dry it out after you wet vac and get as much coolant out as possible. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
The heater core is a BIG job, you have to basically pull the dash. As far as the carpet (I own a carpet cleaning company), pull out the piece that is soaked, along with the pad, and put it on a hard surface outside on a sunny day. Hose it down real good, LIGHTLY scrub with Simple Green (low residue cleaner) on trouble spots and thoroughly rinse with a garden hose, rinseing completely is the big thing here. Bake in the sun untill COMPLETELY dry (again a big thing). Re-install. The carpet nap is nylon, the backing is polypropelene, both are inert. They won't shrink or mildew. The Ozone in the air and the ultraviolet in the sunlight will act to freshen the carpet. The backing must be rinsed and dried too, or else the antifreeze or grease will wick back up into the fibers and will retain odors.
Last edited by zr1fred; Apr 27, 2009 at 01:40 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
coolant washes right out of the carpet, it did on mine. Its 50% water after all. The heater core is not too bad but a shop will charge you $800-$1000 to install a $20 part 
Better off doing it yourself if you can.
Better off doing it yourself if you can.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Just give yourself an afternoon to get it replaced, and try to stay calm!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 925
Likes: 208
From: Cape Cod Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Thanks to all for the advice. I think I can handle the carpet side.
The heater core - I don't know - I haven't had a drink since 1972 - sounds like this project could put that dedication to the test...
I see most of the Corvette places want $100 - $150 for the core. Autozone has one listed for $42 - any pros or cons about going either way?
tnx again - geo
The heater core - I don't know - I haven't had a drink since 1972 - sounds like this project could put that dedication to the test...
I see most of the Corvette places want $100 - $150 for the core. Autozone has one listed for $42 - any pros or cons about going either way?
tnx again - geo
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I see most of the Corvette places want $100 - $150 for the core. Autozone has one listed for $42 - any pros or cons about going either way?
I took my time (several days) and got the job done with no real frustration. And yes I pulled the dash to get at some of the screws. Also I replaced both heater hoses, since I was "in there".
Afterward I mopped up all the fluid from the carpet and then hit it several times with a scented carpet cleaner. It still smelled a little "sweet" for a short while but the summer sun soon got rid of all odor.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
Thanks to all for the advice. I think I can handle the carpet side.
The heater core - I don't know - I haven't had a drink since 1972 - sounds like this project could put that dedication to the test...
I see most of the Corvette places want $100 - $150 for the core. Autozone has one listed for $42 - any pros or cons about going either way?
tnx again - geo
The heater core - I don't know - I haven't had a drink since 1972 - sounds like this project could put that dedication to the test...
I see most of the Corvette places want $100 - $150 for the core. Autozone has one listed for $42 - any pros or cons about going either way?
tnx again - geo
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
The heater hoses are replaced via the engine compartment, correct?
My heater core is fine I think in my 89. I plan on draining and flushing out the coolant system via my garden hose. Would it be a good idea to pull the heater hoses and run some water through the heater core? I'm guessing run water in both hoses to flush it front and back?
My heater core is fine I think in my 89. I plan on draining and flushing out the coolant system via my garden hose. Would it be a good idea to pull the heater hoses and run some water through the heater core? I'm guessing run water in both hoses to flush it front and back?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
So, I'm guessing a water hose with the spicket turned full on is too much flow? And while on the subject, what about the radiator? I plan on removing that and flushing it as it has gunk inside on the fins.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
The heater core is a BIG job, you have to basically pull the dash. As far as the carpet (I own a carpet cleaning company), pull out the piece that is soaked, along with the pad, and put it on a hard surface outside on a sunny day. Hose it down real good, LIGHTLY scrub with Simple Green (low residue cleaner) on trouble spots and thoroughly rinse with a garden hose, rinseing completely is the big thing here. Bake in the sun untill COMPLETELY dry (again a big thing). Re-install. The carpet nap is nylon, the backing is polypropelene, both are inert. They won't shrink or mildew. The Ozone in the air and the ultraviolet in the sunlight will act to freshen the carpet. The backing must be rinsed and dried too, or else the antifreeze or grease will wick back up into the fibers and will retain odors.
