Just today I was driving with the A/C on and everything seemed OK. Once the truck was cool, I switched the heat selector to the middle and smoke or mist started coming out of the vents. This only happens when the temperature selector is in the middle or hotter. I called my mechanic and he thinks it's the heater core. He said the core was about 60$ canadian, but he wasn't sure how long it would take to change. Does anyone know how long this type of repair should take?
92 F150 5.0L 4X4 auto extended cab XLT
Thanks

 

Remove glove box liner, seven screws around core cover and there it is. If it is leaking remove hoses and replace.

 

How long do you think this should take a mechanic? I just want a rough idea so I can tell if they're overcharging me. They said they're going to use the fixed rate guide. Can anyone tell me how much time the guide lists for this repair?

Thanks,

 

I'll tell you what, some people say, just take out the glove box and move some stuff, true, you will see the heater core. But if you don't know what to do and how to do it, get prepared for some scraped knuckles and aggravation. I recently spent two days in a row trying to fix the heater core in my 85 F-250. It took me over one day just to get the damn thing out, and then it took me at least an extra hour to put the new one in. Be carefull too! I have an 85 model F-250, but after fiddling with a part, it turns out that my truck was equipped with an 84 heater core! Go figure. If you have some good knowledge of what your doing, and have patience of a saint, go for it. Save yourself some money. But be prepared to be aggravated beyond comprehension. I've heard proffesional mechanics with horror stories on these parts. Just my two cents, but no matter what, BEST OF LUCK, YOU'LL NEED IT!!

The Blue Torpedo

 

Shop time is probably going to be around .7 to .9 times hourly rate. I can look it up for you at work if you need to know. As far as how long it takes, I can do one of those kind in .4 barring no trouble with hose connections, by far the longest part of this job. But realize the time is based on bringing vehicle in bay and raising hood and doing the work and refilling the system with coolant, etc.

 

Thanks nitro94.
I didn't think it would be too tough for a shop to do.