Heater core replacement: DIY?

Lazy8s

Lazy8s

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I'd rather not do it myself, but it seems the cost might be pretty steep. I'm pretty sure there's an issue with the actuator (common on old Rams) as well as the leaking heater core. Guides I've read suggest the prep work and reassembly is 6 hours +, or possibly much more if I have never done that job on this particular truck before.

Anyone ever done their own here? Mechanic + life savings the best route?

Thanks guys
 
Heater core replacement is one of the worst jobs to do on most vehicles. I've had dashboards out before, it's no picnic. Really depends how much your time and sanity are worth.
 
Elysian said:
Heater core replacement is one of the worst jobs to do on most vehicles. I've had dashboards out before, it's no picnic. Really depends how much your time and sanity are worth.
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Bringing it to the mechanic this morning :p I read up on it a bit more after posting that question and...yeah, I don't want to tangle with that mess.
 
$1200ish for heater core replacement and door actuator thingy replacement.

ouch. But after reading up on what it takes to do the job properly, I'm glad I have the cash to have it done.
 
I was visiting a friend 2 weeks ago and he was in the middle of doing a heater core replacement in a Saab of his. Not a lot of fun. I don't enjoy working on cars nearly enough to tear apart the entire dash. The blend doors aren't working right in one of my C5Z's, and I have no intention of fixing it any time soon. :lol:

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OverclockN' said:
I was visiting a friend 2 weeks ago and he was in the middle of doing a heater core replacement in a Saab of his. Not a lot of fun. I don't enjoy working on cars nearly enough to tear apart the entire dash. The blend doors aren't working right in one of my C5Z's, and I have no intention of fixing it any time soon. :lol:

gcHi6BN.jpg
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Holy crap dude! :lol: :lol: I feel a lot better about spending that money now lol. I haven't removed a full dash since a '74 Camaro way back when. That wasn't fun, and this looks more complicated than that.
 
Man, heater cores...

I've done a couple and helped with a couple more. Mine were easier, a mid 80's S10 Pickup which was done through the glove box hole, and a '01 S10 Blazer (I have a thing for S10's) where it could be done by loosening the steering column and tilting the dash forward.

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eNforcer said:
Man, heater cores...

I've done a couple and helped with a couple more. Mine were easier, a mid 80's S10 Pickup which was done through the glove box hole, and a '01 S10 Blazer (I have a thing for S10's) where it could be done by loosening the steering column and tilting the dash forward.

JROT44l.png
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I loved my S10 Blazer :)

Mine is an 03 Ram 1500, so there's room to spare in the cab, and I know I can remove everything, and probably install the new core no problem. It's putting everything back together that scares me lol. You heard that old saying "Knows enough to get into trouble, but not enough to get out of it"? Yeah, that's me :p
 
Oh man I did this with a buddy back in my teens. His car was in parts for two weeks, because we had to remove the entire dash. It was a royal pita.
 
Mahjik said:
Depending on the value of the car, yes! ;)
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This is something I've been struggling with actually...I've had a number of vehicles over the years that just needed a couple thousand to keep them solid and plenty roadworthy, and gotten rid of them and regretted it afterwards.

As near as I and my mechanic can tell, aside from some body work, this truck ought to be good for another ~50k miles easily, so I've made the admittedly uncomfortable decision to sink the cash into it and hope nothing else crops up.

If I'm wrong...well, not the first time I've blown money on something stupid :p
 
Yep, if you have a good assessment of the vehicle that you know you don't have many short term issues that needs to get repaired, then absolutely. You are ahead of the game by having that assessment where most people play roulette guessing if they should repair or sell.
 
Mahjik said:
Yep, if you have a good assessment of the vehicle that you know you don't have many short term issues that needs to get repaired, then absolutely. You are ahead of the game by having that assessment where most people play roulette guessing if they should repair or sell.
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I've watched friends do that, and it's maddening. Their money, but no matter how many repair manuals I read it never says "Throw money at problem until resolved" :p

I average about ~8k miles annually thanks to having a company truck, so if I can eke out that ~50k I want, that's a golden win in my book.
 
My 23 year old gas water heater tank decided it no longer wants to work (lazy bum). Ordered a new one and not wanting to go without hot water for days, had to pay a premium to find an installer with one on hand. Lowe's has diy youtube videos on how to replace your own gas water heater.

Transmission, heater cores.......remembering the Motoring thread here, decided to pay the premimum.

that is all..
 
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