Leaking heater box...`
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
Leaking heater box...`
Well, another day, another project. On the way to work this morning I started smelling coolant. Was hoping it was someone else, but no luck. Noticed that there is coolant on the floorboard of the ole beater. A pretty constant drip right onto the floorboard. Looks like a heater core leak.
Can these things be repaired like a radiator or do I look for a new one? Are new ones available, or is this a boneyard part? Can't seem to get ahead with this one, still trying to adjust it properly, now this.
What do you guys say, repair or replace? Also, how much work is it to remove it?
Thanks
gw
Can these things be repaired like a radiator or do I look for a new one? Are new ones available, or is this a boneyard part? Can't seem to get ahead with this one, still trying to adjust it properly, now this.
What do you guys say, repair or replace? Also, how much work is it to remove it?
Thanks
gw
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Replace it. Repairing old rotted copper and brass isn't worth it; they aren't that expensive. I have done both, and really recommend you replace it rather than repair it.
The work to replace it depends on whether or not you have A/C.
If no A/C, then simply remove the air handling box to disassemble it, and replace the heater core. Should take about 3 hours if you haven't done it before.
A/C is the same in concept, but much more involved. Should take about 6 to 8 hours.
Be careful with the air handler box, some of them ( the fiberglass ones) can shatter easily if dropped.
The work to replace it depends on whether or not you have A/C.
If no A/C, then simply remove the air handling box to disassemble it, and replace the heater core. Should take about 3 hours if you haven't done it before.
A/C is the same in concept, but much more involved. Should take about 6 to 8 hours.
Be careful with the air handler box, some of them ( the fiberglass ones) can shatter easily if dropped.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
Thanks for the tip. No AC, just a heater. How hard is it to find a new core?
The reason that I ask instead of just researching myself, well, it's almost christmas, the wife has me remodeling the half the house when I get home tonight, (don't get me started) Daughter is applying for every college from here to the rockies at 60 bucks a pop. (dad I need your credit card again) Not to mention, that I have to work for a living...the list goes on and on. At this point, I'd pay to have it replaced if I could find anyone that I could trust to work on it. Anybody want to make a couple hundred bucks??
BTW, did I say thanks for your help? Thanks!
gw
The reason that I ask instead of just researching myself, well, it's almost christmas, the wife has me remodeling the half the house when I get home tonight, (don't get me started) Daughter is applying for every college from here to the rockies at 60 bucks a pop. (dad I need your credit card again) Not to mention, that I have to work for a living...the list goes on and on. At this point, I'd pay to have it replaced if I could find anyone that I could trust to work on it. Anybody want to make a couple hundred bucks??
BTW, did I say thanks for your help? Thanks!
gw
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
bryyce,
they can be a pain. not to mention the nice gashes left in your hand afterwards. but let me make some calls for you and i will see if i can get the part number. give me 10 mins. mike
they can be a pain. not to mention the nice gashes left in your hand afterwards. but let me make some calls for you and i will see if i can get the part number. give me 10 mins. mike
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
I'm assuming the NCH...# is a part #..Yes?
That's the NAPA in Brentwood? I'll have my daughter go over there this afternoon.
gw
That's the NAPA in Brentwood? I'll have my daughter go over there this afternoon.
gw
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
yes bring that whole number and give it to one of the guys at the parts counter. it should be almost the same as doing a 73-79. so just set aside a few hours. it takes me about 3 to do them. mike
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: nevada
2 cores
I have replaced mine twice in 16 yrs. There is 2 part #'s for these cores. One is for air cond, and the other is without. The only dif I can see is one has longer tubes for the heater hoses. I buy the one with longer tubes, easier to clamp hoses on. Here they run between 25 and 30 bucks. Cant find anyone to fix one, and even if they did, it would cost more.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by baitmaster
I have replaced mine twice in 16 yrs. There is 2 part #'s for these cores. One is for air cond, and the other is without. The only dif I can see is one has longer tubes for the heater hoses. I buy the one with longer tubes, easier to clamp hoses on. Here they run between 25 and 30 bucks. Cant find anyone to fix one, and even if they did, it would cost more.
Are you using tap water in your mix?
May I suggest buying distilled water from your grocery, should be less than a buck a gallon. I pre mix it, store it marked 50/50 on my shelf, if I ever need to add any.
Using that mix you shouldn't have to buy another one. IMHO
John
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
Just to close up the thread...I changed the heater core under the dash today. Was really easy. Less than an hour, start to finish. I even busted up the heater blower resistor & still managed to get it back together, albiet temporarily. Still, I was dreading the task of getting up under the dash where I've never really been before, R & R'ed the heater core, got it back together pretty quick.
Mash the gas!
b621
Mash the gas!
b621