Heater core gone bad

JOHNP · 12-01-2005, 08:04 PM

Hey guys, I am needing to change my heater core. I know this is a long repair because you have to remove the dash ... ANyone have experience doing this? I would rather do it myself, but I don't know if I am ready to tackle something like this. I am going to get some quotes tomorrow, but I think the cost is going to be pretty high. Any info or advice????

It is on a 96 GT

latinagirl_texas · 12-01-2005, 09:08 PM

Well... i have the same problem so since i didn't want to do it at the time i bypassed it... although it sucks now that it's cold.... Anywho.....some mechanics won't want to work on that because of the type of work it is.... but i think you could do it if you had lots of time.. patience and a manual......plus not needing to drive your car for a while.. like 3 days..

Good luck

**bighoss88lx** · 12-01-2005, 09:46 PM

I have done them in numerous different cars and trucks and all I can say is that it is a nightmare.

GateJockey81 · 12-01-2005, 09:52 PM

definately a PITA!! I got into the dash and ended up taking it somewhere...cost me about $200

JOHNP · 12-01-2005, 09:58 PM

Yea, that's what I figured. I think I am going to just tear out the dash then have someone else change out the core. I figure that will bring down the labor cost a little. Anyways, thanks for the replies guys.

86sleeper · 12-02-2005, 04:12 PM

I couldn't have a bunch of down time, so I initially bypassed it so I could still drive it. Then, during the week I removed my dash a little here and there until a good bit of the work was done. I still drove it all ghetto and stuff until I was ready to swap the core. To swap the core it took me a case of beer and a saturday. Then I slowly put things back together the following week. All in all it took about a week and a half. But in the end I saved probably $400-600 bucks.

JOHNP · 12-02-2005, 10:31 PM

Unforutnately I don;t have enough time to take off to work that much on it. I called my dealership and they quoted me 538 total for parts and labor. I hate to do it, but I think I am going to bite the bullet and just have them do it.

01SilverSVT · 12-02-2005, 11:19 PM

Most shops will beat dealer quotes (pepboys will beat dealer prices by 25% guaranteed)

12-01-2005, 08:04 PM	#1
JOHNP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 197 Trader Rating: (0)	Heater core gone bad Hey guys, I am needing to change my heater core. I know this is a long repair because you have to remove the dash ... ANyone have experience doing this? I would rather do it myself, but I don't know if I am ready to tackle something like this. I am going to get some quotes tomorrow, but I think the cost is going to be pretty high. Any info or advice???? It is on a 96 GT __________________

12-01-2005, 09:08 PM	#2
latinagirl_texas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 2,144 Trader Rating: (1)	Well... i have the same problem so since i didn't want to do it at the time i bypassed it... although it sucks now that it's cold.... Anywho.....some mechanics won't want to work on that because of the type of work it is.... but i think you could do it if you had lots of time.. patience and a manual......plus not needing to drive your car for a while.. like 3 days.. Good luck __________________ LOVE THEM SALEENS !

12-01-2005, 09:46 PM	#3
bighoss88lx Killing is my Business...And Business is Good! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Elmendorf, Tejas Posts: 5,959 Trader Rating: (1)	I have done them in numerous different cars and trucks and all I can say is that it is a nightmare. __________________ 1988 Mustang LX

12-01-2005, 09:52 PM	#4
GateJockey81 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 892 Trader Rating: (3)	definately a PITA!! I got into the dash and ended up taking it somewhere...cost me about $200 __________________ "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

12-01-2005, 09:58 PM	#5
JOHNP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 197 Trader Rating: (0)	Yea, that's what I figured. I think I am going to just tear out the dash then have someone else change out the core. I figure that will bring down the labor cost a little. Anyways, thanks for the replies guys. __________________

12-02-2005, 04:12 PM	#6
86sleeper Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: deer park Posts: 2,472 Trader Rating: (0)	I couldn't have a bunch of down time, so I initially bypassed it so I could still drive it. Then, during the week I removed my dash a little here and there until a good bit of the work was done. I still drove it all ghetto and stuff until I was ready to swap the core. To swap the core it took me a case of beer and a saturday. Then I slowly put things back together the following week. All in all it took about a week and a half. But in the end I saved probably $400-600 bucks. __________________ MIKE '86 GT:high 12's Sold '01 GT:low 11's for sale

12-02-2005, 10:31 PM	#7
JOHNP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 197 Trader Rating: (0)	Unforutnately I don;t have enough time to take off to work that much on it. I called my dealership and they quoted me 538 total for parts and labor. I hate to do it, but I think I am going to bite the bullet and just have them do it. __________________

12-02-2005, 11:19 PM	#8
01SilverSVT Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Avon Ohio Posts: 333 Trader Rating: (0)	Most shops will beat dealer quotes (pepboys will beat dealer prices by 25% guaranteed)

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