This may be the repair on the SVX I'm just not willing to do

NiftySVX · #1 10-28-2009, 07:06 AM

This morning I smelled coolant when the heater came on. I don't think I'm going to fix this any time soon. I've spent an astonishing 20,000 plus on this car in the 10 years i've owned it and thats doing the labor myself. I honestly don't know how anyone can afford to drive this car if you don't work on it yourself, it's killing me and I get parts at below wholesale and the labor is free!

It is really odd that I would have a heater core failure. The coolant has been changed in this thing every 3 years or 30k with subaru coolant and distilled water. Hopefully this was another vehicle burning some coolant that caused it to smell inside my car....

Green1995SVX · #2 10-28-2009, 10:14 AM

I've never heard of an SVX heater core going bad.

svxistentialist · #3 10-28-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

I've never heard of an SVX heater core going bad.

??

Loads of them went bad in Australia. We were trying to set up a group buy a couple of months ago, with less than zero interest from US owners.

Maybe you guys got a better heater matrix that did not fail much?

Joe

Green1995SVX · #4 10-28-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

??

Loads of them went bad in Australia. We were trying to set up a group buy a couple of months ago, with less than zero interest from US owners.

Maybe you guys got a better heater matrix that did not fail much?

Joe

That's really interesting. Back when I was parting out SVXs I simply stopped bothering to remove them as people never bought them. I may actually have one or two laying around if anyone wants one. Just pay shipping.

immortal_suby · #5 10-28-2009, 02:26 PM

I've had mine go bad.
Then I put in a used one (do not do that)
And it went bad.

Put a new one in a few weeks ago.

It's really not too hard, just takes time. Alot of nuts and bolts to remove.

aust92pearl · #6 10-28-2009, 02:42 PM

same thing happened to mine about 6 months after i bought it the bottom hose has somehow pushed itself off the bottom of the core and proceeded to empty the rad onto my pass floor

i just bypassed it it doesnt get cold enough on the coast to need it here in aust

zavikan · #7 10-30-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

??

Loads of them went bad in Australia. We were trying to set up a group buy a couple of months ago....
Joe

Wait Ur in australia? with Ireland written on the side? and Jersey girl under your name?

There is something that I do not know....

Subie59 · #8 10-30-2009, 07:09 AM

Those pictures are scary.
I think I would do one of two things.
1) bypass the heater core and live with it. (turn the car into a summer vehicle)
2) make the decision to get rid of the car... unless I could find someone to replace the core for a decent price. But judging from those pictures, that would be close to impossible.

BRADY · #9 10-30-2009, 07:31 AM

Oh sweet baby Jesus!!!

Please do not let this happen to me!!!

I am a prime candidate for this to happen - I have been stuck with all the other KNOWN Svx issues!! And mine is a 1992 Aussie model....

HMacmillian · #10 11-06-2009, 04:20 PM

As someone who has installed new airbags I can agree with the horror of having to pull apart that dashboard. There were countless screw to just attach the darn glove box, and getting to the screws in the bottom of the center console is more than a little frustrating. It may be worth paying someone to do. If you don't I suggest bagging and tagging every screw and bolt. I ended up with one or two extras but thankfully the car doesn't rattle so I really don't mind. If you fix it yourself good luck because it must be a long process.