My heater core is leaking
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I don't know if Tom means by "maintenance" he means maintaining the correct concentration of antifreeze/water, or regular 3-5 year flush and changes. In my cases, I maintain 50/50, and only add 50/50 so the concentration is always adequate for corrosion protection. But I seldom change the coolant
While maintenance is important, my empirical evidence suggests that core life is more a matter of how much it is driven.
I'm not arguing.
In my case, the car I drive every day, and change the coolant in every 5 years or less, the core last 7 years. In 3 of my other cars that are not driven regularly, if at all, seldom receive coolant changes and the cores last 16, 20 and 35 years.
There's more to this than "maintenance".
While maintenance is important, my empirical evidence suggests that core life is more a matter of how much it is driven.
I'm not arguing.
In my case, the car I drive every day, and change the coolant in every 5 years or less, the core last 7 years. In 3 of my other cars that are not driven regularly, if at all, seldom receive coolant changes and the cores last 16, 20 and 35 years.
There's more to this than "maintenance".
In addition to corrosion protection, I believe cooling system fluid changes also help cleanliness...which helps the cooling system keep...cooling. I don't have over heating problems that you see posted here a lot. Here is a pic of the inside/tubes of a radiator that I pulled from my truck (Silverado) after I hit a cow, at 243,000 miles/17 years.
And here is one of our '05 CTS-V; it was about 10 years old, 150k when the tank seal started leaking. Never changed a heater core in that car either. Sold it at 170k/14 years....
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
I went with Brass and Copper
I am in the same unfortunate boat as you...needing the Heater Core replaced....which is quite a costly labor intensive procedure. I too noticed both the Aluminum and Brass Copper. After doing some research I decided to go with the Brass/ Copper which is what GM placed in it as OEM. Of course proper maintenance does matter...the Aluminum ones I've read in more than one report dont last as long. Good Luck!!!
