Ok, so just got a call and they said it is for sure my heater core. The water is flowing through, but not like it should. It is just really corroded w/ junk and replacement is the only option.

I can't believe with all our modern technology, that there isn't something like a snake to clear drains that you can put in those things to clean them out. It would be a heck of alot cheaper than replacing it.....DANG!!!

So the shop quoted me $922.76, which I didn't think was too bad as a different shop told me it would be like $1100 or $1200 and I think Honda wants close to $1500 or something like that.

Has anyone else done this? How does this compare in cost to what you had to pay?

Just curious, want to make sure I make an educated decision on this one given the age of the car. Thanks!!

 

From now on, use ONLY DISTILLED WATER to dilute your antifreeze. Stuff in tap water really contributes to that crud.

Another thing is mixing different types of antifreeze. If you don't know what the last guy used, then drain & rinse thoroughly so you don't mix types.

Heater core is a PITA to replace because you have to dismantle so much of the dashboard. $$$

 

I have never seen a heater core plug up but my era of working on cars for a living had the core made of brass not the plastic tanks and aluminum cores of today. There is a method for unplugging the core but it will mostly blow apart which is high pressure water blast. I have used that method on the brass ones without blowing it apart but always the core was not clogged to begin with I later found out. I don’t understand why being plugged would give heat only at low RPMs.

 

I vote thermostat if the engine isnt reaching the right temp. you never answerd that question on the 1st page btw.

 

I will be sure to use distilled water when ever I add antifreeze in the future for sure.

It is not the thermostat. The car has been running at perfect temperature. I actually replaced that a couple times over the past 3 years and it has never been the issue.

As far as cleaning the core. I would be willing to try the water blast, but I don't imagine it would be good if it blew up in the dash.....YIKES!!! I hate to replace this darn thing, but not sure what else to do. It is heating now after the flush, the question is.....for how long? If it makes it until summer....then great, if not, I will probably have to spend the money. Need heat in MN!!

Thanks for all the help guys....I really appreciate it!

 

At least you have the answer finally. A lot of cars you have to take off most of the dash off to do a heater core. I saw a Ford Engineer lecture on the HVAC system and he said the standard now is the aluminum core with plastic tank heater core and at some point it would leak where the two components meet.