Heater Core (Truck) Replacement Question...

Factual Questions
1

Driving home this afternoon, I had the pleasure of my Heater Core blowing on me (a pool of antifreeze had formed on my passenger side floormat).

Now I called the place where I have had the majority of the work done to my truck (92 GMC Sonoma), and they quoted me $240CAN to replace the heater core and fluids, but also recommended flushing my coolant system at the same time. This procedure is another $100.

So do I need my coolant system flushed? It seems like a scam to me. Any benefit to doing this?

Thanks…

MtM

2

Hard to say. Some cars heater cores are readily accessible, some are descents into Hell. My BS meter does not peg at the cost to replace the heater core, etc., but I will not presume to know this exactly without knowing your particular vehicle.

I would, though, be very cautious about the $100 fee for flushing your radiator. If your car is so old that this is really needed, I’d think of getting the whole radiator taken out of the car and cored/flushed, or maybe just replaced. But, why this if the car is not overheating?

3

The actual cost of a heater core is about $20- $30 ------talking excellent quality heater core made of copper.

The rest of it is labor and scamming.

If you could possibly do it yourself-------looks like you would save almost $500.

I would try to do it myself. (Heater cores can be bears to install sometimes though).

If you can’t get it done yourself, then have it done. At least you will save the cost of the part—which you will already have.

4

In fact your owner’s manual will tell you that flushing the coolent system on a pre-determined frequency is required. I would take this opportunity to do so, since the system is being worked on anyway. Definitely a good idea IMHO.

5

<McDeath the Mad Using Stainz’ PC>I have no problem spending the money on the heater core and having it installed, I’m just curious on the cooling system flush.

They said the system should be clean and free of dirt because the heater core is new.

This is the 2nd heater core I have had replaced, and they flushed the system the first time as well.

MtM
</McDeath the Mad Using Stainz’ PC>

6

2nd heater core on a 92 truck. Yeah—quite possible in 14 years.

I have owned cars that never lost a heater core from leakage. I have owned cars that would develop heater core leaks about every 5 years. Not sure what the reason is.

Anyway----Make sure the heater core is of copper and of excellent quality. The labor is what kills you. Make sure the part is a good one .

(OEM from the manufacturer does NOT quarantee quality in any way)