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#1
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Heater core replacment?
I have a couple symptoms that are leading towards a heater core issue. Smell of coolant coming out of the vents, windows fog when initially turning heater on.
Either way, I'm taking it in to an good Subaru shop tomorrow to have this and two other problems checked out and verified. But depending what problems they find, I want to be armed with some knowledge before agreeing to any work beyond the diagnostics. Assuming it's a heater core problem, what are my options? I heard it is a major PITA to replace, so I'm guessing their labor is going to be expensive. But is it something I could attempt myself? Or am I going to have to part out the car based on this? (I'm only half kidding)
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Troy 1992 SVX LSL "Serenity" 250,000 miles! I don't care, I'm still free, You can't take the sky from me... |
#2
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Re: Heater core replacment?
I would say your heater core is definately toast. No need to pay dealer shop rates, go to an independent garage. My garage only charges $35.00/hr. compared to $85.00 at a dealership.
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#3
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Re: Heater core replacment?
a heater core is one of those things that shops arent going to false sell you....what i mean is they are not going to suggest getting it replaced unless it actually for sure needs it. They are a major PITA, in they take pretty much a whole day to do. lots of labor and love to replace those suckers...
good luck most shops would rather not have to pull one out and put one in. The WHOLE dash has to pretty much get torn out, not something a shop will really enjoy doing.
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1985 Brat GL 138k 91 CRX Si 40k 91 CRX Si 155k 97 SVX Lsi 70k 2003 s2000 91 RT4WD 166K Last edited by bheinen74; 02-19-2009 at 05:30 PM. |
#4
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Re: Heater core replacment?
You will only think you are parting your car out when you replace it. You usually have to take the whole dash out to get to it. Yes, it is a PITA to do it.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#5
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Re: Heater core replacment?
too bad your not on the east coast. i have had my dash out at least 6 times in the last year. i can practically do it blindfolded now! and yes, like the other members here, you do need to take the dash out.
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Liberalism is a disease. When you can stare at facts and ignore them anyway, you have it. |
#6
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Re: Heater core replacment?
So other than the amount that has to be taken apart, is there anything particularly "challenging" to the actual replacement? Special tools, etc? Or is it just a matter of patience and love?
The heater core itself, is it recommended to get a new one? Spendy?
__________________
Troy 1992 SVX LSL "Serenity" 250,000 miles! I don't care, I'm still free, You can't take the sky from me... |
#7
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Re: Heater core replacment?
After that amount of labour, anything but a new one would be foolish don't you think. It's $260.00 new.http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...ategory=721-A2
Last edited by Blacky; 02-20-2009 at 05:47 AM. |
#8
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Re: Heater core replacment?
<<
So other than the amount that has to be taken apart, is there anything particularly "challenging" to the actual replacement? Special tools, etc? Or is it just a matter of patience and love? >> no special tools, my steering wheel is off, not sure if you can get the dash out with it still on. that may be the only special tools you may need. someone else should be able to chime in on that.
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Liberalism is a disease. When you can stare at facts and ignore them anyway, you have it. |
#9
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Re: Heater core replacment?
your gonna be *****in at whatever F in person put this son bich together. many times over you will get pissed off, good luck be prepared for a long love affair
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1985 Brat GL 138k 91 CRX Si 40k 91 CRX Si 155k 97 SVX Lsi 70k 2003 s2000 91 RT4WD 166K |
#10
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Re: Heater core replacment?
The steering wheel is not a huge deal to me, I actually replaced mine years ago. I'd just need to pull up whatever ancient thread I had that gave the safety procedure involed so the airbag doesn't go off. I'd probably just pull it either way so there's more room to work.
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Troy 1992 SVX LSL "Serenity" 250,000 miles! I don't care, I'm still free, You can't take the sky from me... |
#11
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Re: Heater core replacment?
An update:
I went to the independent Subaru shop today and had them look everything over. The tech was of the opinion that nothing is wrong with my car. There WAS a large amount of coolant down in the left side of the engine. But levels were fine and no leaks visible in the system. Could it still be there from when a hose broke in November? Could spilled coolant in the engine bay send the smell through the vents inside the car? They also pressure tested everything, visually inspected the whole system, he even went under the dash and poked around and saw none of the usual suspects with a leaky heater core. All I can do is give the engine bay an extreme cleaning and keep on monitoring coolant levels. I shouldn't be complaining.
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Troy 1992 SVX LSL "Serenity" 250,000 miles! I don't care, I'm still free, You can't take the sky from me... |
#12
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Re: Heater core replacment?
Yes, it could be coming from there. I would wash it very well, and then watch the levels of fluid. It would be good news if it is ok. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
__________________
. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#13
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Re: Heater core replacment?
Quote:
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Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
#14
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Re: Heater core replacment?
Quote:
No special tools are needed for this job, just a ton of patience.
__________________
Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
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