Heater Cores
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Heater Cores
I've had to change the heater core every 18 months over the last 3 years. Each time the shop has used a GM part and new coolant. My ride is a 93 LT1 and I drive the car about 4000 miles a year. Our weather lets me use it all year round so the car doesn't sit for months at a time.
Has anyone else experienced such problems? Has GM down-sized the metal wall thickness of the core? Does anyone know of an alternative? A local auto parts store stocks a non-GM version of the heater core but it doesn't fit properely.
BCvette
Has anyone else experienced such problems? Has GM down-sized the metal wall thickness of the core? Does anyone know of an alternative? A local auto parts store stocks a non-GM version of the heater core but it doesn't fit properely.
BCvette
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
damn, dude... that is wack.
I know, for example, that Chrysler was having issue with their AC evaporators because they would be eaten by - get this - leaves!!! Rotting leaves would get inside and eat up the evap core!
Now, as for Vette's. I have no good reason why yours should be eating up like that.
Hell, mine is a 92 and it's still <knocking on woodlike substitute> the original piece.
I know, for example, that Chrysler was having issue with their AC evaporators because they would be eaten by - get this - leaves!!! Rotting leaves would get inside and eat up the evap core!
Now, as for Vette's. I have no good reason why yours should be eating up like that.
Hell, mine is a 92 and it's still <knocking on woodlike substitute> the original piece.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Something is seriously wrong. That is even before the first scheduled maintenance, that many people forgo. What are they using for coolant? Battery acid? Are they rotting out? Being eaten up? If they start leaking where the tubes are soldered in, maybe the shop is mishandling them. I'd be having a looooong talk with the repair shop. Any guarantee? Check with NAPA or others to see if you can find a Modine. But even the cheapest knock-off should last longer than 18 months. There is something going on, here.
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RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Something is seriously wrong. That is even before the first scheduled maintenance, that many people forgo. What are they using for coolant? Battery acid? Are they rotting out? Being eaten up? If they start leaking where the tubes are soldered in, maybe the shop is mishandling them. I'd be having a looooong talk with the repair shop. Any guarantee? Check with NAPA or others to see if you can find a Modine. But even the cheapest knock-off should last longer than 18 months. There is something going on, here.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo CA
Something's seriously wrong somewhere...Get a hold of some litmus paper, you know..the stuff from high school chemistry or your local pool guy... Check the pH of the coolant. Once you've established that the water isn't eating up your heater core, you may need to find an alternative vendor for your heater cores. The typical pH should be around 9.0. A pH of 7 is neutral and anything less is acidic.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Originally Posted by mvmechanic
Something's seriously wrong somewhere...Get a hold of some litmus paper, you know..the stuff from high school chemistry or your local pool guy... Check the pH of the coolant. Once you've established that the water isn't eating up your heater core, you may need to find an alternative vendor for your heater cores. The typical pH should be around 9.0. A pH of 7 is neutral and anything less is acidic.
I'm stumped, unless of course the General has a bad batch of cores up here in British Columbia.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Originally Posted by bogus
Are you using distilled water? And a good brand of coolant? I don't like some of these nonames... I would suggest something like Prestone...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
No GM Bulletins and there were no complaints at the NHTSA website. What does the inside of the radiator look like? All I can think of is that exhaust is getting into the coolant from a leaking head gasket or that a bolt or cable is striking the core. Is the leak always in the same place?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Originally Posted by SunCr
No GM Bulletins and there were no complaints at the NHTSA website. What does the inside of the radiator look like? All I can think of is that exhaust is getting into the coolant from a leaking head gasket or that a bolt or cable is striking the core. Is the leak always in the same place?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
Man that is strange. COULD BE that your repair shop is repairing the thing and sticking the same one back in? I've never heard of a heater core going out every 3 years! Let us know what you find out. Although tap water is not good for your system, if it causes your heater core to go out, you don't want to be drinking it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Good antifreeze and distilled water are both highly recommended, but tap water only clogs it due to the minerals. Also, whatever passes through the heater core goes through the radiator. How often are you changing radiators? Nothing takes out a heater core in 18 months...especially twice. It didn't freeze, did it? Something is rotten in Vancouver, and lacking evidence to the contrary, fingers point toward the shop. Maybe they poured some radiator seal in there the first two (?) times and charged you for the R&R. I am NOT accusing them, but you are owed some explanations.
RACE ON!!!
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