2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
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2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
hi there,
i have a 2001 escape. there is leaking into the passenger side and it seems to be water. i'm told the heater core has failed and is leaking.
my escape has 50K miles. is this part failure unusual for the age/miles? i can't believe i have to pay $300 to get this fixed. i rarely use the heat/air conditioning, so it is even more annoying this is broken.
any chance i can get the dealer to cover the cost of repair, or at least share the cost? if this is any indication of failures to come, i am entirely inclined to get rid of this car now.
otherwise, i like my escape a lot. i'm just really perturbed that something like THIS is broken.
thanks for any advice.
mrs oxalis
i have a 2001 escape. there is leaking into the passenger side and it seems to be water. i'm told the heater core has failed and is leaking.
my escape has 50K miles. is this part failure unusual for the age/miles? i can't believe i have to pay $300 to get this fixed. i rarely use the heat/air conditioning, so it is even more annoying this is broken.
any chance i can get the dealer to cover the cost of repair, or at least share the cost? if this is any indication of failures to come, i am entirely inclined to get rid of this car now.
otherwise, i like my escape a lot. i'm just really perturbed that something like THIS is broken.
thanks for any advice.
mrs oxalis
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From: New Canaan, CT
2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
The heater core is basically a small radiator. It could be a hose leaking or it could have a leak in it. Is $300 the cost of labor or is that including a new heater core?
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2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
hi there,
they (the dealer) quoted me $106 for the heater core and $75 per hour for labor, estimating 2 hours to repair. $300 may be a little high, but i'm guessing it's close with tax.
i just have had a parts person do a phone diagnostic with me; we don't know for sure that it is indeed the heater core or if it is, as you say, just a hose.
the water comes gushing out and splashes all over the floor, but i think it must be completely drained now because there wasn't any sloshing around or dripping when i drove around today.
do you think i should ask the dealer to cover this fix? it seems SO outrageous to me that this part is breaking on a 2.5 year old car. i live in southern california. i hardly EVER use the heat. this summer, for the first time i've used the AC.
anyway...i appreciate your insights.
thank you.
mrsoxalis
they (the dealer) quoted me $106 for the heater core and $75 per hour for labor, estimating 2 hours to repair. $300 may be a little high, but i'm guessing it's close with tax.
i just have had a parts person do a phone diagnostic with me; we don't know for sure that it is indeed the heater core or if it is, as you say, just a hose.
the water comes gushing out and splashes all over the floor, but i think it must be completely drained now because there wasn't any sloshing around or dripping when i drove around today.
do you think i should ask the dealer to cover this fix? it seems SO outrageous to me that this part is breaking on a 2.5 year old car. i live in southern california. i hardly EVER use the heat. this summer, for the first time i've used the AC.
anyway...i appreciate your insights.
thank you.
mrsoxalis
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
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From: Mesa
2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
If it was just water then it can't be a heater core. If it were the core then you'd have hot coolant leaking all the time until the system drained(slimey green liquid). Not good. If it is water then I'd check the condensation drain line for blockages. Now ya all know why I bought the Mazda Tribute with 3yr/50k warranty...
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2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
Okay, I will check the condensation line. I kinda thought it might not be the heater core because the car temperature is fine when it's running. And it would get all out of whack if the radiator was leaking coolant and stuff, right?
what's your opinion on this kind of thing breaking on a car that is only 2.5 years old? par for the course? a stroke of bad luck?
many thanks man,
MrsOxalis
mechanically inclined, but not a mechanic.
what's your opinion on this kind of thing breaking on a car that is only 2.5 years old? par for the course? a stroke of bad luck?
many thanks man,
MrsOxalis
mechanically inclined, but not a mechanic.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Re: 2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
Originally posted by mrsoxalis
Okay, I will check the condensation line. I kinda thought it might not be the heater core because the car temperature is fine when it's running. And it would get all out of whack if the radiator was leaking coolant and stuff, right?
what's your opinion on this kind of thing breaking on a car that is only 2.5 years old? par for the course? a stroke of bad luck?
many thanks man,
MrsOxalis
mechanically inclined, but not a mechanic.
Okay, I will check the condensation line. I kinda thought it might not be the heater core because the car temperature is fine when it's running. And it would get all out of whack if the radiator was leaking coolant and stuff, right?
what's your opinion on this kind of thing breaking on a car that is only 2.5 years old? par for the course? a stroke of bad luck?
many thanks man,
MrsOxalis
mechanically inclined, but not a mechanic.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: San Mateo, CA
Re: 2001 Escape Failed Heater Core
Originally posted by mrsoxalis
hi there,
the water comes gushing out and splashes all over the floor, but i think it must be completely drained now because there wasn't any sloshing around or dripping when i drove around today.
do you think i should ask the dealer to cover this fix? it seems SO outrageous to me that this part is breaking on a 2.5 year old car. i live in southern california. i hardly EVER use the heat. this summer, for the first time i've used the AC.
hi there,
the water comes gushing out and splashes all over the floor, but i think it must be completely drained now because there wasn't any sloshing around or dripping when i drove around today.
do you think i should ask the dealer to cover this fix? it seems SO outrageous to me that this part is breaking on a 2.5 year old car. i live in southern california. i hardly EVER use the heat. this summer, for the first time i've used the AC.
If you park under/near trees/bushes that shed a lot sometimes that debris can collect in some of the drain ports and block normal water flow. Look under the hood in the top, back of the engine compartment(near the wipers) for any large accumulation of leaves and dirt. The wife's Camry used to collect quite a bit of junk in the water channels. She just got the Tribute(48month/50mile warranty) in late May so we haven't had it long enough see where it might collect debris. Once or twice a year I go through the vehicles and make sure all the drain holes are unplugged and invariably I find at least one with unsightly buildup.
Also as far as your A/C goes, run it at least every month even in winter. It will keep all the seals lubricated and the system will work better longer.
Good luck
Tim
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
Heater core?
Try a air conditioning repair shop as they will be cheaper usually
on this than Ford I think you have as the others posted a clogged
drain hose for the a/c and they can clean this out too and may not cost much. If it's heater core theirs almost always is cheaper than the dealer too and they only work on this type of stuff too.
on this than Ford I think you have as the others posted a clogged
drain hose for the a/c and they can clean this out too and may not cost much. If it's heater core theirs almost always is cheaper than the dealer too and they only work on this type of stuff too.
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
Do your eyes burn? Are they constantly irritated so bad you just can't avoid rubbing them constantly? That is how bad it was for me when my 1994 Escort had the heater core go out. I couldn't hardly see my eyes were watering so bad. Coolant flat out stinks and I don't think anything else smells close; so if your eyes aren't burning, you're probably not looking at a heater core. Whatever you do, don't taste the water, if it is coolant - it's poison & supposedly tastes sweet. (They say this is why kids and animals often drink it & die...)
If it is your heater core at 50k miles - that is early for sure. I think the heater core in my 1994 Escort went out at 125k.
Just remember that with a heater core change - they have to take apart the entire dash of your car, nearly everything has tome come out so if they do the swap, do a thorough check of all bolts & such that you can see to make sure they put it back together right. It is amazing how many bolts they 'forget about' when reassembling the vehicle.
If it is your heater core at 50k miles - that is early for sure. I think the heater core in my 1994 Escort went out at 125k.
Just remember that with a heater core change - they have to take apart the entire dash of your car, nearly everything has tome come out so if they do the swap, do a thorough check of all bolts & such that you can see to make sure they put it back together right. It is amazing how many bolts they 'forget about' when reassembling the vehicle.
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From: Near Wamego KS
I think Pilot 10 has your answer. If he is correct stay away from the dealer's shop, they should easily be able to tell the differance in water and radiator fluid. If not, see if your coolant system is still full.
I had a similar problem with my Gran Marquis. The "dealer" insisted it was a leaking windsheild and wanted to replace it. AC shop said it was the the vents filling with water during rains, car washes, and the AC condensation. Only problem was they couldn't find the blocked passage. I pulled the cowl apart in disgust and found what I hoped was the offending drain hole blow it open with 200 PSI and never had another problem.
I had a similar problem with my Gran Marquis. The "dealer" insisted it was a leaking windsheild and wanted to replace it. AC shop said it was the the vents filling with water during rains, car washes, and the AC condensation. Only problem was they couldn't find the blocked passage. I pulled the cowl apart in disgust and found what I hoped was the offending drain hole blow it open with 200 PSI and never had another problem.
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