Heater Core!! AWESOME.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Heater Core!! AWESOME.
This is wonderful..driving along today, and all of a sudden mist comes out of the defroster, smelled like antifreeze. WONDERFUL.
pull over, and see a slow line of antifreeze leaking from the passenger side where the heater core would be. feel around on the pass floor and theres a little streak of coolant.
SONOFABITCH.
pull over, and see a slow line of antifreeze leaking from the passenger side where the heater core would be. feel around on the pass floor and theres a little streak of coolant.
SONOFABITCH.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 7
From: Burleson Texas
5 hr job for me. did it a couple months back. turned out great! this was on a 96... I didn't need to remove the dash. Hardest part is getting the blend door actuator arm (white plastic piece) back on.
cost was $43 for the heater core and $15 in food caffeine and nicotine. cheaper than the $1200 the dealer quoted me!!
cost was $43 for the heater core and $15 in food caffeine and nicotine. cheaper than the $1200 the dealer quoted me!!
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Since i don't have airbags and whatnot in the 85, should it be a little bit easier?
I dont' have electonic climate control either.
The core is cheap, but the labor is a bitch...GREAT.
At least i will save like 500 dollars doing it myself
I dont' have electonic climate control either.
The core is cheap, but the labor is a bitch...GREAT.
At least i will save like 500 dollars doing it myself
Last edited by Pwnage1337; Sep 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Perth W.A
I know exactly the feeling! i was driving along too and saw the steam coming from the dash vents! Scared the crap out of me(i thought it was smoke)
I did mine myself in my 90 vette! never again! although now i know how to do it! it wouldn't be as bad! but a real PITA
Is the 90 the same as the the models up to 96? because i didn't have to disconnect any door levers etc...
Good luck
I did mine myself in my 90 vette! never again! although now i know how to do it! it wouldn't be as bad! but a real PITA
Is the 90 the same as the the models up to 96? because i didn't have to disconnect any door levers etc...
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 944
Likes: 11
From: Davie Florida
I have the same problem, I have an 84 & need to change the heater core as well, Is it easier on my 84?
I have it disconnected now as the passenger floor was getting wet with antifreeze, I am not sure if I am going to fix it or just leave it the way it is as I live in Florida & really have no use for the heat...
Thanks,
Ant...
I have it disconnected now as the passenger floor was getting wet with antifreeze, I am not sure if I am going to fix it or just leave it the way it is as I live in Florida & really have no use for the heat...
Thanks,
Ant...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Hialeah Florida
I have the same problem, I have an 84 & need to change the heater core as well, Is it easier on my 84?
I have it disconnected now as the passenger floor was getting wet with antifreeze, I am not sure if I am going to fix it or just leave it the way it is as I live in Florida & really have no use for the heat...
Thanks,
Ant...
I have it disconnected now as the passenger floor was getting wet with antifreeze, I am not sure if I am going to fix it or just leave it the way it is as I live in Florida & really have no use for the heat...
Thanks,
Ant...
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,514
Likes: 1,301
From: Windermere FL
I so dread the day my heater core goes I think it would trigger me to want to sell my Vert.
Hats off to you guys that are able to do it yourself. I bet you are either professional mechanics or should be! There is no way I would try it myself. I almost killed myself just trying to wire up a new radio and having to disconnect the old tuner under that dash. I would either bypass it, or maybe try Bars Leak, or some other hi tech sealer with it disconnected from the engine.
Maybe I would fill it with concrete!
Hats off to you guys that are able to do it yourself. I bet you are either professional mechanics or should be! There is no way I would try it myself. I almost killed myself just trying to wire up a new radio and having to disconnect the old tuner under that dash. I would either bypass it, or maybe try Bars Leak, or some other hi tech sealer with it disconnected from the engine.
Maybe I would fill it with concrete!
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
I so dread the day my heater core goes I think it would trigger me to want to sell my Vert.
Hats off to you guys that are able to do it yourself. I bet you are either professional mechanics or should be! There is no way I would try it myself. I almost killed myself just trying to wire up a new radio and having to disconnect the old tuner under that dash. I would either bypass it, or maybe try Bars Leak, or some other hi tech sealer with it disconnected from the engine.
Maybe I would fill it with concrete!
Hats off to you guys that are able to do it yourself. I bet you are either professional mechanics or should be! There is no way I would try it myself. I almost killed myself just trying to wire up a new radio and having to disconnect the old tuner under that dash. I would either bypass it, or maybe try Bars Leak, or some other hi tech sealer with it disconnected from the engine.
Maybe I would fill it with concrete!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Eden Utah
How about taking the car to a Corvette specialist like TAS auto in Ogden Ut. They charged me $500 plus and did not put the blend door back, and when I asked them to fix it, they basically said to get screwed. Good thing my brothers an attornery because you can't sue for a $500 screwup. But I can for 0...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 944
Likes: 11
From: Davie Florida
I know those two days well
, Well I guess if I don't fix it I could just stay home those 2 days & should be good after that.. LOL!!I will end up fixing it tho, Just cause thats the way I am.. How hard can it be? There aint nothing I can't fix on my baby,
Some things may take a little longer to figure out, Butt I'lll get it... I do not really like mechanics, As I feel I am always getting ripped off.
As I saw in this post $1200.00 to fix heater core.... You would have to be an idiot to pay that... I'd rather buy rims or something else for my vette & still have $$ left over...
Ant...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Probably the core - but make sure it isn't a hose - the firewall seal isn't that great and over time may have deteriorated. A loose or worn hose combined with a poor seal can dump coolant into the passenger compartment.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
5 hr job for me. did it a couple months back. turned out great! this was on a 96... I didn't need to remove the dash. Hardest part is getting the blend door actuator arm (white plastic piece) back on.
cost was $43 for the heater core and $15 in food caffeine and nicotine. cheaper than the $1200 the dealer quoted me!!
cost was $43 for the heater core and $15 in food caffeine and nicotine. cheaper than the $1200 the dealer quoted me!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I guess if water is sitting there, and you run the car, that could cause steam. But that is just one possibility that needs to be watched out for.
The sealant on mine was bad as water was getting in the engine bay past the hood seal. So, I pulled it, cleaned it up, and resealed it.
