changing heater core.. =(

[fkford]

need to change my heater core because i can hear gurgling from it..bled the heater many many times but didnt do much..so sent it to the mechanic and he said it needs to be changed because its literally collapsed..was just wondering if its a big job and how to go about it...dont have much knowledge in the heater area...cheers for ur inputs

[Brett_jjj]

Theres a cheaters way of replacing it.You just cut the pipes and remove old core.Cut pipes on new core, install ,and use rubber heater hose to reconnect the pipes.Better and cheaper than pulling the dash out,about an 8 to 10 hour job.($$$)Unless you can do it yourself.Have a read of this,it also has good pictures of what I mean..heater core on VS

[shanhsv]

Dash needs to come out to be done properly,i'll be replacing mine when i put my stat'o dash in. Which should be next month

[227shanno]

just thank god you dont have a VT with a dead heater core. no "cutting pipes shortcut" in the world of the vt.

[MurfVS95]

Theres a cheaters way of replacing it.You just cut the pipes and remove old core.Cut pipes on new core, install ,and use rubber heater hose to reconnect the pipes.Better and cheaper than pulling the dash out,about an 8 to 10 hour job.($$$)Unless you can do it yourself.Have a read of this,it also has good pictures of what I mean..heater core on VS

Thanks for putting that link in your post (great photos). Im looking to replace my core very soon. you have helped immensely.

[hako]

need to change my heater core because i can hear gurgling from it..bled the heater many many times but didnt do much..so sent it to the mechanic and he said it needs to be changed because its literally collapsed..was just wondering if its a big job and how to go about it...dont have much knowledge in the heater area...cheers for ur inputs

I wonder what the mechanic means by "its literally collapsed"....if this was happening you would be leaking coolant all over the cabin floor as the heater matrix is under internal pressure and once they split they leak bad.
I'd re-bleed again and make sure the vacuum operated heater tap is fully open as if this is not fully open it will prevent some of the air from escaping.

[accentstencil]

I wonder what the mechanic means by "its literally collapsed"....if this was happening you would be leaking coolant all over the cabin floor as the heater matrix is under internal pressure and once they split they leak bad.
I'd re-bleed again and make sure the vacuum operated heater tap is fully open as if this is not fully open it will prevent some of the air from escaping.

I was thinking the same thing. I'd investigate further before changing the heater core.

[Brett_jjj]

Just get the system pressure tested first.It should not cost much.Any radiator place or half decent mechanic shop should be able to do this.

[hako]

You can pressure test it yourself by checking that the top radiator hose is still under pressure 5 minutes after switching off a hot engine. If it's easily pushed in it indicates the system is losing pressure somewhere. This is a rough test but will give a good indication.

[Complexity]

pulling the dash out,about an 8 to 10 hour job.($$$)Unless you can do it yourself.

And the rest.

If you've never done it before, then I am saying more like 2 days work.

Like about a million screws, nuts & bolts hold everything together.

That condenser box is a cow to get out, then pull apart and put back in.

Before I operated on mine -- I phoned up a Holden dealership and asked to speak to a mechanic in the workshop to get some tips with what to expect.

First thing that he said to me was "brave man" ...

Watchout for vacuum hoses when you put everything back together.

[azzaholic]

If anyone is in the Latrobe Valley area of Victoria, just thought that I would let you know that I got NATRAD to do my heater core on my VR and with top/bottom hoses replaced with full system flush only cost me $550 including parts and labour as opposed to HOLDEN quoting me $1400 for the same job

[VS_Pete_1]

Nice.........................

[James39]

If anyone is in the Latrobe Valley area of Victoria, just thought that I would let you know that I got NATRAD to do my heater core on my VR and with top/bottom hoses replaced with full system flush only cost me $550 including parts and labour as opposed to HOLDEN quoting me $1400 for the same job

The proper repair or the short cut repair?

[VS_Pete_1]

The proper repair or the short cut repair?

Good point.
If it was either I`m be happy to pay that.

[James39]

Good point.
If it was either I`m be happy to pay that.

If it is the short cut repair then I feel the price is a bit too high, yet would be a bargin if it was the correct way.