Heater core and insallation price?

THIS IS A JOB FOR AN EXPERIENCED MECH. TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DOES SIDE WORK.

This is a major job. Accessing the HVAC module where the heater core resides requires discharging the A/C system, removing the dashboard, steering column, and heater box. The labor is just over 6 hours. Add in the cost of coolant and refrigerant and you've got a big bill coming....and unfortunately, one that most DIYers can't take on by themselves. Labor rates run $80.00 - $100.00 hour depending on shop. Some services can be packaged to save money, such as the recover-recharge A/C system, drain/refill cooling system. Be careful, however, because shops use a industy-standard book rate for these jobs to determine hours to charge. The hours listed for this job should include the coolant drain/refill and A/C discharge/recharge labor if they are required. If the shop offers you package prices, ensure that they are adjusting labor time for the core R/R and not double-billing you on the labor for those package items.

Hi,
Sounds high to me. The heater core is less than $100 and it is about 6 hours labor. So he is charging you around $115 an hour. I would say a regular mechanic would be no more than $50 and hour at high price, so the job should be more like $400.....I can do one in around 4 hours myself......Mike

Bad heater core you will need to replace it. About a 2 hour job, very easy to do:


Remove the HVAC module assembly. Refer to HVAC Module Assembly Replacement.
Remove the HVAC filter cover.
Remove the heater core/evaporator tube seals from the module.
Remove the heater core cover screws (1).
Remove the heater core retaining screws (1).
Remove the heater core retaining straps.
Remove the heater core.
Remove the rubber seals from the inlet/outlet pipes of the heater core.

Installation Procedure

Install rubber seals to the outlet/inlet pipes of the heater core.
Install the heater core to the module.
Install the heater core retaining straps.



Install the heater core retaining screws (1).
Install the heater core cover.



Install the heater core cover screws (1).



Install the heater core/evaporator tube seal from the module.
Install the HVAC filter cover.
Install the HVAC module assembly. Refer to HVAC Module Assembly Replacement.

It should cost somewhere around $600.00 for parts and labor. Obviously, this depends greatly for the labor rate your shop charges. The price for the heater core is about $88.00, and about 5 hours to install at about $100.00 per hour.

Hi there,

Remove heater/evaporator case. Remove vacuum source line from heater core tube seal. Remove seal from heater core tubes.
Remove heater core access cover screws. Remove access cover and seal from heater/evaporator case. Lift heater core and case seals out of heater/evaporator case.
Installation
If installing new heater core, transfer case seals to new core. Install heater core and seals into heater/evaporator case. Install heater core access cover on case. Install seal on heater core tubes. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Evacuate and charge A/C system. Refill cooling system.

HEATER/EVAPORATOR CASE
Removal

• Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain coolant from radiator. Gently pull instrument panel away from right side of dash panel.
• Discharge A/C system using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core. Plug heater core tubes or drain coolant by blowing coolant from heater core using low pressure compressed air. Disconnect vacuum supply hose from inside engine compartment.
• Disconnect A/C lines from evaporator core. Plug A/C lines and evaporator core tubes. Remove instrument panel assembly brace to evaporator case bracket screw. Remove assembly brace.
• Remove floor register and rear floor duct from bottom of heater/evaporator case. Remove nuts securing heater/evaporator case to firewall. Remove 2 screws securing support brackets to cowl top panel. Carefully pull heater/evaporator case away from firewall. Remove heater/evaporator case.
• To install, reverse removal procedure. Evacuate and charge A/C system. Refill cooling system.

INSTRUMENT PANEL
Removal & Installation

• Position front wheels in straight-ahead position. Disable air bag system. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering column trim shrouds.
• Disconnect all electrical connections from steering column switches. Remove cover from under steering column. Remove 4 bolts and reinforcement from under steering column. Disconnect parking brake release control motor from parking brake and ignition switch connector.
• Disengage insulator retainer. Remove insulator. Remove 4 nuts and reinforcement below steering column. Remove 4 nuts securing steering column to instrument panel and lower column to front seat. Disconnect PRNDL cable (A/T models).
• Ensure ignition switch is locked to prevent steering column from turning. Remove 4 instrument cluster retaining screws. Disconnect speed control cable and vehicle speed sensor (if equipped). Disconnect electrical connectors and remove instrument cluster. At steering column opening, remove one bolt securing instrument panel to brace. Remove one instrument panel brace bolt (below radio area).
• Remove sound insulator under glove box by removing 2 push nuts securing insulator to studs on climate control case. Remove glove box door and compartment. Remove air cleaner housing, battery and battery tray. Disconnect wires of main wire loom in engine compartment. Disengage rubber grommet from firewall. Feed wiring into passenger compartment through hole in firewall.
• Remove right and left kick panels. Disconnect wires from instrument panel at right and left kick panel sides. Remove screws on left and right sides of instrument panel.
• Pull up to unsnap right and left speaker opening covers. Remove speaker covers. Working through steering column and glove box openings, reach under instrument panel and disconnect electrical connectors, vacuum hoses, A/C-heater control panel cables, and radio antenna cable.
• Support instrument panel. Remove 3 screws attaching top of instrument panel to cowl top. Disconnect remaining wires. Remove instrument panel. To install instrument panel, reverse removal procedure.

Hope this helps...

Hi there,

Well, you could purchase a Spectra heater core for your vehicle at a discounted rate of $30.51 and it can be ordered online at drivewire.com. Here are the specifics of the item:

SPECTRA HEATER CORE:
7.75 x 6 x 2 in. core size, 0.75 in. inlet size, 0.75 in. outlet size; 100 percent leak tested heater core with fully brazed aluminum design available for more than 95 percent of aftermarket demand; Designed for exact fit in the vehicle%X92s original equipment heater casing; Engineered to meet or exceed manufacturer's specifications with original equipment quality at a very competitive price; Carefully packaged for product quality and easy installation; With 1-year Spectra warranty.

Happy purchasing!!!

Heater and Evaporator Core Housing Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Recover the refrigerant.
2. Remove the instrument panel.
3. Remove the right side cowl vent screen.
4. Remove the screws and the water shield.
5. Disconnect the vacuum supply hose.
6. Clamp off and disconnect the heater hoses at the firewall.
7. Disconnect the evaporator outlet spring lock coupling. Discard the O-rings.
8. Remove the two condenser-to-evaporator line bracket bolts.
9. Disconnect the evaporator inlet spring lock coupling. Discard the O-rings.
10. Remove the three nuts at the dash panel.
11. Remove the screws and the heater outlet floor duct.
12. Remove the evaporator core housing bolt and nut.
13. Remove the heater and evaporator core housing.

Heater and evaporator core housing removal/installation

To Install:

1. Install the heater and evaporator core housing in the vehicle. Secure the mounting nut and bolt.
2. Install the heater outlet floor duct. Secure with the mounting screws.
3. Install the three mounting nuts to the dash panel. Tighten to 53 in-lb (6 Nm).
4. Install new refrigerant system O-ring seals lubricated in clean mineral oil. Connect the evaporator lines.
5. Install the two condenser-to-evaporator line bracket bolts. Tighten to 80 in-lb (9 Nm).
6. Connect the hoses to the heater core connections. Lubricate the coolant hoses with plain water only, if needed.
7. Connect the vacuum supply hose.
8. Install the screws and the water shield.
9. Install the right side cowl vent screen.
10. Install the instrument panel.
11. Lubricate the refrigerant system with the correct amount of clean PAG oil.
12. Evacuate, leak test and charge the A/C system.
13. Add coolant as needed.

If it is necessary to remove the heater assembly, the cooling system must be drained before removing the heater core.
When a heater core leaks, a new heater core is installed or the old one repaired.
Heater Housing

• The heater housing is usually under the dash and must be removed to gain access to the heater core.
• Procedures for replacing the heater core vary with the year, make, and model of car. It threfore necessary to consult the manufacturer's repair manuals for the proper procedure for replacement.

The heater housing is disassembled to get to the heater core. Heater Core

• Remove the access panels(s) or the split heater/air conditioning case to gain acess to the heater core.
• Remove the heater coolant hoses.
• Remove the cable and/or vacuum control lines (if equipped).
• Remove the heater core securing brackets and/or clamps.
• Lift the core from the case. Do not use force. Take care not to damage the fins of the heater core when removing.
• To reinstall the heater core, reverse the removal steps.

When the heater core leaks and must be repaired or replaced, it is a very difficult and time-consuming job primarily because of the core's location deep within the firewall of the car. For this reason always leak test a replacement heater core before installation.

Book time is 1.8 hrs. If he is charging for flushing the cooling system then 3 hrs is not too far off.

Warranty is usually void if the system isn't flushed.