Saved over $600. this week

[Mike Brown]

I have a 92 GM that I passed on to the daughter to drive to college, she called me the other day to tell me the defroster was blowng out steam. The car has 199,865 miles on it so I was sure the heater cord was leaking, the local Ford/Mercury dealeship told me labor would run $568. plus parts. The reason the cost was so high is because they have to remove the dash to get to the heater cord. Well it took me 7 hours to install the new core that cost me $26 with a life time warranty, do think it will go another 200,000 miles? I can only hope my Marauder will give me the same great service.

[Shaft333]

Good deal. I've never replaced a heater core, but a few of my friends have told me that it's a job that sucks so much it's worth the $500... or not having heat.

[Donny Carlson]

I have a 92 GM that I passed on to the daughter to drive to college, she called me the other day to tell me the defroster was blowng out steam. The car has 199,865 miles on it so I was sure the heater cord was leaking, the local Ford/Mercury dealeship told me labor would run $568. plus parts. The reason the cost was so high is because they have to remove the dash to get to the heater cord...
Yeah, my heater cord is too short. I get down to the end of the street and it gets yanked out of the wall socket.

[jjaguda]

I replaced a heater core in my '96 CV HPP. Yes dropped whole dash into the front seat. If the MM heater core goes, car goes to the shop. It really is a PITA job - especially if you are doing it by itself. Kinda odd that the whole dash is basically held up by two support brackets.

[Nathan]

It sounds like you're ready for a Trilogy kit self-install! If you hurry, you might be able to get it done before IRP opens in late March :)

[RoyLPita]

I had a 92 GM LS HPP that needed a heater core AND a blend door actuator. I sold it before I did those repairs.

[CBT]

I feel your pain. It took me two days last summer to change out the heater core in my 77 Vette. Pain in the butt doesn't accurately describe it. Dash, console, console trim, passenger seat, the ruined carpet and matting, under the hood stuff, etc. etc. etc. I never want to do it again.

[jgc61sr2002]

Mike - That is one tough job. Nice work.

[jjaguda]

It sounds like you're ready for a Trilogy kit self-install! If you hurry, you might be able to get it done before IRP opens in late March :)
I am ready for the Trilogy. The pregnant wife is not.:pancake: She would not care if the Trilogy cost 600 instead of 6k. I'll get the $ together sooner or later.

What/who is IRP opening in late March?

[BillyGman]

Yeah, my heater cord is too short. I get down to the end of the street and it gets yanked out of the wall socket.
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! That's the funniest thing I read this week!!!!!...

BTW MIKE, I commend you for performing that task. I've performed two ring & pinion gear changes, and the Trilogy Supercharger installation on my Marauder, and I must say that I've never changed a heater core. I've heard how much of a pain in the rear it is. Good job dude.....

[wchain]

LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! That's the funniest thing I read this week!!!!!...

BTW MIKE, I commend you for performing that task. I've performed two ring & pinion gear changes, and the Trilogy Supercharger installation on my Marauder, and I must say that I've never changed a heater core. I've heard how much of a pain in the rear it is. Good job dude.....


The biggest thing you can do to prevent heater core failure is to change coolant often.


Preventing Against Repeat Heater Core Leaks
Issue:
Some vehicles may exhibit repeat heater core leaks. This may be caused by a chemical reaction called electrolysis. Electrolysis involves an ion exchange between the heater core and engine coolant which can result in a breakdown of the heater core material. This is similar to the operation of a battery.

Action:
I . To check for electrolysis use a DVOM set on DC volts. Place the pos (+) probe in the engine coolant and the neg (-) on the neg battery post.

2. Adjust throttle to 2000 RPM to get the flow going and true electrolysis voltages.

3. If more then .4V is seen, flush the coolant and recheck.

4. If there is still excessive voltage present check the body/battery grounds. Also, verify proper grounding of aftermarket stuff that has been installed.

5. If the condition is still present after the grounds have been checked, it may be necessary to add extra grounds to the HEATER CORE and engine. I replaced the weak school engine grounds with thick 55 straps from Summit on each side ofthe motor. A hose clamp can be used to secure a 16 AWG stranded copper wire to the heater core inlet tube. The other end should be secured to an EXISTING FASTENER on the body sheet metal. Extra grounds should be attached between existing fasteners on the engine and body sheet metal. Verify continuity of any added grounds to the neg (-) batt terminal.

6. Ifthe condition is STILL present, add a restrictor(PN FIUZ-18D406-A) on the inlet hose with the arrow facing the direction of coolant flow (toward heater core). Cut the line and install it as close to the engine as possible (not near the heater core itself).

[TechHeavy]

LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! That's the funniest thing I read this week!!!!!...

BTW MIKE, I commend you for performing that task. I've performed two ring & pinion gear changes, and the Trilogy Supercharger installation on my Marauder, and I must say that I've never changed a heater core. I've heard how much of a pain in the rear it is. Good job dude.....
I changed a heater cord once. It had become tangled in the electric heater itself and was melting.

BTW, good job Mike!

[teamrope]

I've replaced 2. One on an 82 GM, one on an 85 TC. The last one was 6 years ago and I still remember what a PITA it was.

[Nathan]

What/who is IRP opening in late March?

Indianapolis Raceway Park

http://www.irponline.com/HOME/RaceDivisions/Drags/dragschedule-1227.asp

[2003 MIB]

I've replaced 2. One on an 82 GM, one on an 85 TC. The last one was 6 years ago and I still remember what a PITA it was.
Once. A 1979 Datsun 280ZX. I swore I'd never do it again. It took the better part of a long weekend- my first set of metric tools- two repair manuals and two cases of Lone Star. Three weeks later the car was rear-ended and totalled. It was a warm three weeks though so I never used the heater.:o

[TechHeavy]

Once. A 1979 Datsun 280ZX. I swore I'd never do it again. It took the better part of a long weekend- my first set of metric tools- two repair manuals and two cases of Lone Star. Three weeks later the car was rear-ended and totalled. It was a warm three weeks though so I never used the heater.:o
Don't feel bad.....! We all have these stories! I once installed a re-built engine into my Mustang only to sell it "as is" for bluebook 2 weeks later... Man, that sucked! Free labor to the new buyer and less than 10,000 on the new engine.... oh well... I was very young....

Point is, don't regret your upgrades/repairs. You'll enjoy them or someone else will....