Heater core leaking?

[k5ryder]

Coolant is low passenger carpet is wet puddle underneath blazer. Do y'all think the heater core is leaking? If so. Do I need to pull the charge off my ac to replace it? I've replaced a heater core before.

 

[dremu]

Could just be the hoses at the heater core are cracked or loose. Were it me, I'd remove them (up under the hood), cut off the last inch or so if cracked, then reinstall and tighten properly.

However, it's been my experience that when the coolant leaks inside the cab, yep, it's the core leaking. And boy on AC trucks is a PITA to swap. You will want to remove the inner fender to get to the nuts on the bottom studs.

-- A

 

[4xcrazy]

You don't have to remove any freon though, but yes, it is much easier to remove the inner wheel well.

 

[tRustyK5]

Yeah, my last core on an AC truck was also diesel with the firewall mat...6 hours of joy.

 

[badmix]

You don't have to remove any freon though, but yes, it is much easier to remove the inner wheel well.

There is almost no way to get to the heatercore nuts/bolts without removing the inner wheel well, some guys take a hole saw and drill access hole, something I wish I had done.

I replaced my heater core 5 years ago, a PITA isnt the word for it, just be very careful with the blend doors and pay attention how they go together, etc.

And like mentioned, you wont have to recharge or even open up the A/C system.

 

[muddermilitia]

Wow, glad I don't have A/C in the m1009. Changed the heater core last week. It was about a half hour job. The good news is, the heater core is really cheap. Think I paid $26 for mine from Vatozone

 

[4xcrazy]

Yeah, forgot to mention about the blend doors, there's a little plastic clip in there somewhere, I can't remember right off where, but it holds the blend door rods, it'll break real easy.

Heater core prices, yes, they are cheap and that's what gets me with the newer cars locations of them, they are usually smack in the middle of the dash, and behind ac stuff now.

My brothers '93 Ford Taurus requires the ac to be vented, and the whole dash to darn near be removed.

I've done two 90's model S-10 trucks now, whole dash has to come out, plus making it easier, also the wheel well comes out too, these people were both quoted over $600 for this job at big shops, for a $20-30 part.

 

[ryoken]

yup, did Mutt's a few weeks ago.... and snapped the white rod clip on top, even being gentle.. it was just so brittle.. it's on my list of things to hunt down... got a feeling that's gonna be a "plead in the wanted section for a member to help out with a parts rig" deal...


and yeah, heat only, is easy peezy... AC, took me all day....

 

[k5ryder]

I got a quote from a local shop to to replace the heater core. $319. I don't think it's a bad price but I'm not sure what I'm gonna do yet. I'd like to replace it myself because I think it would be a good learning experience but my time may be limited.

 

[ryoken]

AC or no AC?

 

[k5ryder]

AC or no AC?

A/c

 

[ryoken]

that's a pretty damn fair price imo than.. like said, AC ones are a pain... the part is $30... so figure 6 hr's at 50 an hr is 300...

heck, they charge $90 an hr for me...

 

[tRustyK5]

Hey Paul, try some searching for blend door thingy here at CK5. I remember someone here finding a source for em...

I'll do some digging too.

 

[tRustyK5]

Didn't take long...

GM part # 3018715

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283504&highlight=Blend+door

 

[4xcrazy]

Thanks, I needed one of those too...

 

[CGT80]

I changed the heater core on my 79 C20 with AC in a couple hours the first time. There was already a hole in the inner fender to get to the bottom nut. The inner fender only has 12 bolts. it is easy to take out, with the tire/wheel off.

Save the couple hundred bucks and DIY, if you can.

 

[Jessie James]

Personally, I dump a tube of aluma-seal in my radiator and that usually fixes it. It ain't the best thing for your radiator, but it sure beats six hours of work.

 

[thfonz98]

There is almost no way to get to the heatercore nuts/bolts without removing the inner wheel well, some guys take a hole saw and drill access hole, something I wish I had done.

I replaced my heater core 5 years ago, a PITA isnt the word for it, just be very careful with the blend doors and pay attention how they go together, etc.

And like mentioned, you wont have to recharge or even open up the A/C system.

One could get lucky and end up finding the PO never put the lower nut back on!

Took 3-4 hours my first time, A/C.