1986 Heater core is shot!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 375
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From: Aurora Co
1986 Heater core is shot!
The heater core on my '86 coupe went out this weekend. Anti - freeze steam started coming out the defroster vent, coated the windshield. I shut off the heater and it was OK to get me home. Has anyone replaced one before? Any advice, tips, etc? It looks to be more involved that the heater core replacement was on my old '85 Bronco II, but it seems when any shop sees "Corvette" the price jumps. The car is auto with the climate control system. Does the AC have to be purged and refilled or is it separate from the heater? - I got mixed answers from 5 shops today - 2 said "Yes", 2 said "No', and 1 didn't know. Thanks -
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
Do a search. There has been more written on heater core replacements this fall than anything else. Some claim it is a 3 hour job. Some, 3 weeks. The average seems to be about 1-2 days. If you are a good mechanic, you could spend more time reading the posts on here than actually doing the job. The refridgerant does NOT have to be touched...just everything else. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
I just did my heater core this weekend. Took about 3 hours. Here's a link to the procedure I used:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=713980
If you're comfortable turning a wrench and you're not much bigger than average size, it shouldn't be too bad.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=713980
If you're comfortable turning a wrench and you're not much bigger than average size, it shouldn't be too bad.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
I just noticed your post count. Welcome to the forum. That 'splains why you haven't seen the previous posts. I hope you can do it as quickly as Tourney. I spent 3 or 4 days on the project, but I'm slower than most. Do a thorough reading on the subject. The better prepared you are going in, the better off you'll be. It's a *****, at best. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (CFI-EFI)
Your not alone, I will be replacing mine after my new engine & tranny is installed. From what I have read the engine install is easier :lol:
Just take your time.
Just take your time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: amherstdale wv
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (85vet)
all i know all that work for that damn thing and nuts i had parts scurried about the garage every where wasnt pretty sight good luck my friend
oh yeah i think the dash pad has to be removed at least i removed :thumbs:
[Modified by corvetteman_340rwhp, 2:52 AM 12/23/2003]
oh yeah i think the dash pad has to be removed at least i removed :thumbs:
[Modified by corvetteman_340rwhp, 2:52 AM 12/23/2003]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 375
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From: Aurora Co
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (JrRifleCoach)
I have 104,500 miles on the car. I just bought it from a local seller in Oct - he lost his job in Sept and had to sell the 'vette. He bought it from a local dealer in Denver in Mar '03 for $7,000. Between June and Sept he had: a new remfg 350 installed, torq convert and tranny rebuilt , total brake job incl rebuild rear hub assy's, 4 Bilsteins, new starter and new battery. I just wish he had the heater redone while he was at it :-)
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
You got a great deal! ... Heater core will only set you back 50 bucks or so. And after reading Tourney3p0 post, it should only take an afternoon of time. :D
[Modified by JrRifleCoach, 12:59 AM 12/23/2003]
[Modified by JrRifleCoach, 12:59 AM 12/23/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
I did the heater core in my 86 earlier this year. I took me about 8 hours all together over 2 days. I think I could do it again in about 3-4 hours, now that I know where all the screws are.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
Rich,
Welcome to the forum...
IMHO if you have the money, have the done by someone that works on Corvettes and has done this job before. The part is about $45.00 and the labor is five or six hours; about $450. One of my favorite quotes of the forum members who have completed this job is "General Motors built the Corvette around the heater core".
If your doing this job at home the forum members are great and will help you every step of the way. You really will get a warm feeling when this job is completed...
First things first: Do a search.. Do some reading... Make a decision.
(1) enter CORE in the search for box, and (2) under data set choose Archived Topics. (3) click on next.
You now have reading material overload about the problems/successes that other forum members have had with there heater core repair--- more than anyone has time time to read!! I think Fastguy can change out a heater core quicker than I can read the first 100 posts.
Again,
Welcome to the Forum, and good luck.
Mark
[Modified by Mark-44, 10:48 AM 12/23/2003]
Welcome to the forum...
IMHO if you have the money, have the done by someone that works on Corvettes and has done this job before. The part is about $45.00 and the labor is five or six hours; about $450. One of my favorite quotes of the forum members who have completed this job is "General Motors built the Corvette around the heater core".
If your doing this job at home the forum members are great and will help you every step of the way. You really will get a warm feeling when this job is completed...
First things first: Do a search.. Do some reading... Make a decision.
(1) enter CORE in the search for box, and (2) under data set choose Archived Topics. (3) click on next.
You now have reading material overload about the problems/successes that other forum members have had with there heater core repair--- more than anyone has time time to read!! I think Fastguy can change out a heater core quicker than I can read the first 100 posts.
Again,
Welcome to the Forum, and good luck.
Mark
[Modified by Mark-44, 10:48 AM 12/23/2003]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Aurora Co
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (Tourney3p0)
Tourney3p0 - I read your fast system - did you start off by disconnecting the battery, draining out coolant, etc? Silly question, I know, but I'm not what you would call a "Car Guy". Thanks
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
RichD:
I didn't drain my coolant or disconnect my battery. Looking back on it, I guess I should have disconnected the battery since I removed the ECM and had to remove the bulb on the passenger side kick panel.
I didn't drain my coolant but I did "burp" my system after reconnecting the coolant hoses. I'm going to be replacing my water pump in a couple of weeks or I would have done a complete flush while I was doing my heater core.
I didn't drain my coolant or disconnect my battery. Looking back on it, I guess I should have disconnected the battery since I removed the ECM and had to remove the bulb on the passenger side kick panel.
I didn't drain my coolant but I did "burp" my system after reconnecting the coolant hoses. I'm going to be replacing my water pump in a couple of weeks or I would have done a complete flush while I was doing my heater core.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Aurora Co
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (Tourney3p0)
I'm still alive after Day 1 of the heater core replacement!!! I got bids ranging $350-500 labor + core of $50-125 this morning. Removed the passenger seat and pulled back the old floor carpet a bit (since I'm going to replace it anyway in the near future). Drained about 5 quarts of coolant and disconnected the neg battery terminal and fixed the courtesy light while in the neighborhood, removed about 5 7mm screws from the core cover, dropped the ECM, hit the panic button thinking "What am I doing??!?!, and decided that was enuff for one day. If all else fails, the backup plan is to bring it to a shop and see if they knock off some $$ for work done fo far. More to follow...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
Rich..
Thanks for the progress report. Just remember the reward at the end of your ordeal... it is a great warm feeling of accomplishment.
Mark
Thanks for the progress report. Just remember the reward at the end of your ordeal... it is a great warm feeling of accomplishment.
Mark
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
:cheers:
You're on the right track. There should only be a little bit more to move out of the way, then you can remove the heater core cover itself. Remember, don't bother with anything but 7mm's under there, except the big metal brace.
You're on the right track. There should only be a little bit more to move out of the way, then you can remove the heater core cover itself. Remember, don't bother with anything but 7mm's under there, except the big metal brace.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Aurora Co
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (Tourney3p0)
Thanks for the input - I appreciate it from one who has "been there, done that". I've pulled 3 of the 7mm screws out so far plus the one that holds the AC duct to the core cover, so I have my work cut out for me to find/remove the rest. I found it odd that several shops told me they needed to purge and refill the AC system - adding another hour or two, plus R12 cost of up to $100! :cuss
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (RichD1986)
I found it odd that several shops told me they needed to purge and refill the AC system - adding another hour or two, plus R12 cost of up to $100! :cuss
Plus it's my understanding a decent shop can suck out the R12 then simply put it back in when it's ready. It may add a few bucks for labor, but very little if any R12 should be lost.
By the way.. you may need to use a little elbow grease to pry the heater core cover off. Mine was sealed pretty good so it felt like I was overlooking a screw or 5.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
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From: Kentucky
Re: 1986 Heater core is shot! (lallend)
When I was getting at mine a few weeks ago it really helped to remove the passenger seat. I still had to remove part of the dash to get to it, but total time was just a few hours.
