I'm not sure why I smell coolant when I turn on the heat. It started when my radiator exploded last winter. New one went in and now when the heat is turned on, I smell a faint smell of coolant. If coolant flows thru the heater core all the time, why do I smell it only when the heat is turned on? - thanks

 

Sounds like your heater core has some pinholes in it and is going to let loose some day.

 

inside your heater box is a flap that deflects air around the heater core unless you turn the control to the hot range.

Yes your heater core is on it's way out so start saving and you better look at the evaporator coil over real good while the heater box is apart. The labor is the same if you change both at the same time!

 

SOB. What's the average cost to have that stuff replaced? And if you do it yourself, what's the time involved? - thanks guys

 

The heater core itself isnt much at all its the labor that kills you. You have to rip apart the dash, its basically behind the glove box....

 

Do you have to pull the top of the dash off or is it just from the glove box down? If it's the entire thing I wonder if it's just worth the money to pay someone else for the headache.

 

Entire dash assy has to come out...
the 03-05's are extremeley easy, i was doing the TSB on the blend doors in like 20 mins, in and out... but that no where near applies here.
hours for this
i have same truck as you and it is a PITA
dash does have to come out[:'(]
if u get it done at dealership..... im guessing they will charge you about 4-7 hours
our price for labor is.... $88/hour
4-7 x $88[:-]

 

Dash has to come out to get at the HVAC box. Shop charge here in Fla. around $8-900! DIY- 4-6 hrs. if you've never been there before.
WC

 

I changed mine this spring. A true PITA, but hey I'll be damned if I will ever pay anyone to work on any of my vehicles execpt for paint/body. I basically gave myself a day to do it and got it done. Read up on it, get the stuff you need, and do it man.

 

I just had my heater core replaced a few weeks ago. I bought an aftermaret heater core for my truck for $80 and my mechanic only charged me $210 for labor. We've been going to him for years so thats why he gave me a break on the labor cost but he told me he would normally charge $250+ for a heater core install on a truck like mine.