heater core replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
heater core replacement
i have been reading the threads concerning heater core replacement, and i have neither the place or the time to do mine myself. with 95k on my 94 coupe, i think it is near overdue. just called the local chevy dealer here in marysville wash and their quote was $617 parts and labor, 
and just wondered if anyone else in this area had any other sources/work done that was less expensive and with good results?
and just wondered if anyone else in this area had any other sources/work done that was less expensive and with good results?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
is there anything wrong with the heater core? like is your air not getting hot? or are you just trying to replace it before it goes bad?
its a PITA to replace....Because I removed my hole ac system from mt lt1.
thanks alot your friend
Sean Blanton
best
its a PITA to replace....Because I removed my hole ac system from mt lt1.
thanks alot your friend
Sean Blanton
best
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by corvette1271
i have been reading the threads concerning heater core replacement, and i have neither the place or the time to do mine myself. with 95k on my 94 coupe, i think it is near overdue. just called the local chevy dealer here in marysville wash and their quote was $617 parts and labor, and just wondered if anyone else in this area had any other sources/work done that was less expensive and with good results?
and just wondered if anyone else in this area had any other sources/work done that was less expensive and with good results?The smell of coolant is the real cause of the failure. If you are not getting hot air, something else is messed up with the climate control.
To replace the core, pretty much requires taking the car apart and putting it back together. That estimated price is pretty good, really.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
....heater Core.....
....no, bogus, at this point everything seems to be fine....just thinking of the high miles.....and thinking of a measure of prevention and taking care of a problem before i get out on the road with it.......
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Corvette1271,
I was also worried about the same thing when I got my vette (84 w/ 98,000 miles). The reason being is I'm going to be replacing the carpet and afraid that if it ever goes it will leak all over the new carpet. I had this happen to another car that I restored and had to replace the carpet again !!! Anyhow, I did not change it out because its not showing any signs of failure. I do carry a piece of hose in case it does leak so that I could bypass the heater core if it happens while I'm out and driving. I may change it out when I get into the dash to install a new radio and "breadbox" delete. So enjoy the car, if it leaks fix it then !!!
Pete
I was also worried about the same thing when I got my vette (84 w/ 98,000 miles). The reason being is I'm going to be replacing the carpet and afraid that if it ever goes it will leak all over the new carpet. I had this happen to another car that I restored and had to replace the carpet again !!! Anyhow, I did not change it out because its not showing any signs of failure. I do carry a piece of hose in case it does leak so that I could bypass the heater core if it happens while I'm out and driving. I may change it out when I get into the dash to install a new radio and "breadbox" delete. So enjoy the car, if it leaks fix it then !!!
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by corvette1271
....no, bogus, at this point everything seems to be fine....just thinking of the high miles.....and thinking of a measure of prevention and taking care of a problem before i get out on the road with it.......
If you are not getting heat, there is another reason... something with the heat mixing door or something along those lines.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: Flushing NY
Just did mine for the 2nd time that is the shop repaired it, both times same shop.....the advice is to make sure you get factory part on this and dont cheap out. I tried to save a few bucks and this is the result for the long run and the 1st core was 3 years old not driven and the 2nd core is 1month old ac delco part cost me $380 with parts installed..
Originally Posted by corvette1271
i have been reading the threads concerning heater core replacement, and i have neither the place or the time to do mine myself. with 95k on my 94 coupe, i think it is near overdue. just called the local chevy dealer here in marysville wash and their quote was $617 parts and labor, and just wondered if anyone else in this area had any other sources/work done that was less expensive and with good results?
and just wondered if anyone else in this area had any other sources/work done that was less expensive and with good results?Corvette Stories
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 126
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
The core on my 87 went at around 155,000 (this past year). I've owned the car for 5 years. There was no sign of prior work under the dash, and the hose clamps on the heater hoses were black (sign of factory install?). The first sign of failure was a fogging on the windshield and when I took it apart a couple of weeks later, all the leaked coolant had beeen caught by the foam on the hush panel, no coolant on the carpet. In short, you may be worrying too much about this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I believe in the "ounce of prevention" saying. As you can see by my avatar, I just did my core in my 85 which has 92,000 on it. I have the interior out for replacement and decided I didn't want coolant on my new carpet. When I pulled the old one out I knew I had done the right thing. They wear from the inside out and the top tank on mine was so flimsy it's a wonder it hadn't started leaking. As was stated, don't go the cheap route, either install GM or equal. I went with NAPA and was amazed to see how much stronger the new one was next to the original. It IS a PITA to do though.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
......heater core....
[QUOTE=bogus]this job is not for the feint of heart or wallet. I would not bother unless it leaks.
after a second conversation with the service manager i was assured somewhat when he told me that they do not do very many of the 94s.......what that meant could be anyone's guess....that most everyone does theirs themselves, and/or that mileage is just now reaching the point on later c4's that warrant heater core change out. i think that i am going to accept your advice bogus, about the nature of the job.....i already have one heater core experience on a 69 ford p/u years ago.......it took 8 hours to get into it, 2 min to change the heater core, and 8 hours to put it all back together......
after a second conversation with the service manager i was assured somewhat when he told me that they do not do very many of the 94s.......what that meant could be anyone's guess....that most everyone does theirs themselves, and/or that mileage is just now reaching the point on later c4's that warrant heater core change out. i think that i am going to accept your advice bogus, about the nature of the job.....i already have one heater core experience on a 69 ford p/u years ago.......it took 8 hours to get into it, 2 min to change the heater core, and 8 hours to put it all back together......
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
OK, im confused.
I have an 88, mild modification.
Recently my heat has just quit. I turn on the heater, and ice blows on me. I get the very very faint smell of coolant when its on.
At first, I thought it could have been my thermostat since my temps were just going crazy. Well a new themostat fixed the temp problem, and gave me a little bit of heat for like 10 minutes. (also had the coolant power flushed)
So, could this be the heater core?
I have an 88, mild modification.
Recently my heat has just quit. I turn on the heater, and ice blows on me. I get the very very faint smell of coolant when its on.
At first, I thought it could have been my thermostat since my temps were just going crazy. Well a new themostat fixed the temp problem, and gave me a little bit of heat for like 10 minutes. (also had the coolant power flushed)
So, could this be the heater core?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
[QUOTE=corvette1271]
My '93 has gone through no less than 2 cores. First at 48k mi, then at 72 k mi. Both GM. The 2nd time, I bypassed it. I'm not paying for it again. Was $350, parts & labor locally for the core.
I was able to stop the leak well enough to drive by just stuffing rags in over on the passenger side. So, keep rags, hose to bypass it, and don't worry.
What I can't figure out is why these GM cores are soo weak? Obviously not a very good choice of metal alloy for corrosion resistance.
Originally Posted by bogus
this job is not for the feint of heart or wallet. I would not bother unless it leaks.
after a second conversation with the service manager i was assured somewhat when he told me that they do not do very many of the 94s.......what that meant could be anyone's guess....that most everyone does theirs themselves, and/or that mileage is just now reaching the point on later c4's that warrant heater core change out.
after a second conversation with the service manager i was assured somewhat when he told me that they do not do very many of the 94s.......what that meant could be anyone's guess....that most everyone does theirs themselves, and/or that mileage is just now reaching the point on later c4's that warrant heater core change out.
I was able to stop the leak well enough to drive by just stuffing rags in over on the passenger side. So, keep rags, hose to bypass it, and don't worry.
What I can't figure out is why these GM cores are soo weak? Obviously not a very good choice of metal alloy for corrosion resistance.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by lildrgn
OK, im confused.
I have an 88, mild modification.
Recently my heat has just quit. I turn on the heater, and ice blows on me. I get the very very faint smell of coolant when its on.
At first, I thought it could have been my thermostat since my temps were just going crazy. Well a new themostat fixed the temp problem, and gave me a little bit of heat for like 10 minutes. (also had the coolant power flushed)
So, could this be the heater core?
I have an 88, mild modification.
Recently my heat has just quit. I turn on the heater, and ice blows on me. I get the very very faint smell of coolant when its on.
At first, I thought it could have been my thermostat since my temps were just going crazy. Well a new themostat fixed the temp problem, and gave me a little bit of heat for like 10 minutes. (also had the coolant power flushed)
So, could this be the heater core?
The heater valve is on the inlet pipe to the heater core on the passengers side firewall. Follow the hoses. It's a vacuum servo, with some linkage. It should move.
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My glass started fogging up on my '85 and I smelled the dreaded coolant smell, so I knew the core was going south. If this isn't happening in your car, I'd leave it alone. The one I replaced was the one that came in the car when it was new. Not bad for 134,000 miles and 20 years of age. I hope the one I put in lasts as long! If your mind is made up to replace it, do it yourself and save your money. It's not as much a nightmare as everyone makes it out to be. I removed the passenger seat to do mine which made the job alot easier. It's a pain lying on your back taking things apart to get it out. Just take your time. I did mine after work two nights in a row. Took about four hours to get it done. One thing you might want to check out, your C4 has an airbag on the passenger side. I'm sure you'll have to disable it before you start tearing into the underside of your dash. Take a look at everything and see if it's something you want to tackle. Good luck with your car. Enjoy it! 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
My experience has been that, if the coolant is changed at least every two years, I've never had to replace a heater core or radiator for leaks -- even on 200K mile vehicles....and I've owned many.
The problem I've had is when I purchased a used vehicle and didn't know the service history -- then, even though I changed the coolant, I still lost the heater core or radator. Probably due to neglect by the previous owner(s).
Tom Piper
The problem I've had is when I purchased a used vehicle and didn't know the service history -- then, even though I changed the coolant, I still lost the heater core or radator. Probably due to neglect by the previous owner(s).
Tom Piper
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by Tom Piper
The problem I've had is when I purchased a used vehicle and didn't know the service history -- then, even though I changed the coolant, I still lost the heater core or radator. Probably due to neglect by the previous owner(s).
Tom Piper
Tom Piper
This doesn't explain why my 2nd core lasted only an additional 4+ years.
I did change coolant.
