Heater Core, Too much of a PITA to DIY? or worth it?
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Heater Core, Too much of a PITA to DIY? or worth it?
I bought a new core for $75 at Part Source (Dealership wanted $250 for the same thing WTF!!!)
My friend who is a decent mechanic is going to help me change it out, I know generally what needs to be done...
- Drain coolant
- Remove dash
- Remove/replace core
- Put everything back togeather.
- Refill coolant
He mentioned we might have to drain the AC also? Anyone know if/why that would be necessary? As far as I know the heater core has nothing to do with the AC system.
Ive had 2 Mechanics quote me $650 and $700 to do this entire job from start to finish...way to expencive for me....Both told me the AC would need to be drained and re-charged, which is a contributing factor to the cost...
So is it worth my time to try to DIY this and potentially save $500?
My friend who is a decent mechanic is going to help me change it out, I know generally what needs to be done...
- Drain coolant
- Remove dash
- Remove/replace core
- Put everything back togeather.
- Refill coolant
He mentioned we might have to drain the AC also? Anyone know if/why that would be necessary? As far as I know the heater core has nothing to do with the AC system.
Ive had 2 Mechanics quote me $650 and $700 to do this entire job from start to finish...way to expencive for me....Both told me the AC would need to be drained and re-charged, which is a contributing factor to the cost...
So is it worth my time to try to DIY this and potentially save $500?
Retired Moderator - RIP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
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From: NH
If money is an issue, return the heater core you bought and get one as described in this thread. The search button is working again, LOL.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...tructions.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...tructions.html
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
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From: Central Oklahoma
I bought a new core for $75 at Part Source (Dealership wanted $250 for the same thing WTF!!!)
My friend who is a decent mechanic is going to help me change it out, I know generally what needs to be done...
- Drain coolant
- Remove dash
- Remove/replace core
- Put everything back together.
- Refill coolant
He mentioned we might have to drain the AC also? Anyone know if/why that would be necessary? As far as I know the heater core has nothing to do with the AC system.
Ive had 2 Mechanics quote me $650 and $700 to do this entire job from start to finish...way to expensive for me....Both told me the AC would need to be drained and re-charged, which is a contributing factor to the cost...
So is it worth my time to try to DIY this and potentially save $500?
My friend who is a decent mechanic is going to help me change it out, I know generally what needs to be done...
- Drain coolant
- Remove dash
- Remove/replace core
- Put everything back together.
- Refill coolant
He mentioned we might have to drain the AC also? Anyone know if/why that would be necessary? As far as I know the heater core has nothing to do with the AC system.
Ive had 2 Mechanics quote me $650 and $700 to do this entire job from start to finish...way to expensive for me....Both told me the AC would need to be drained and re-charged, which is a contributing factor to the cost...
So is it worth my time to try to DIY this and potentially save $500?
Dont buy the cheap *** heater core. The $200 dealer one is worth it.
This is a steal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item23130b648b
This is a steal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item23130b648b
Retired Moderator - RIP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 17
From: NH
Dont buy the cheap *** heater core. The $200 dealer one is worth it.
This is a steal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item23130b648b
This is a steal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item23130b648b
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It is a huge issue...But I also don't want to put something in the truck that's going to break in a month....The $75 one I bought doesn't look low quality or anything..Its sturdy, and has the hoses you can move which should make it easier to install.
If I get 1-2 more years out of this truck Ill be happy...basically that's my attitude right now....Will the $75 one be fine?
If I get 1-2 more years out of this truck Ill be happy...basically that's my attitude right now....Will the $75 one be fine?
I know you already bought it but you should check what the dealer has. I know around here the dealer uses the same HC as autozone sells. Which AZ sells for $75.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
the AC evap core is in the same air exchange box as the heater core. no personal experience but in some of the past threads there was just barely room to replace the heater core without disconnecting/recharging the AC.
if money is not too tight, some people go ahead and replace the AC evap, just because its so much labor to pull the dash. its not an expensive part.
if money is not too tight, some people go ahead and replace the AC evap, just because its so much labor to pull the dash. its not an expensive part.
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I did check just now actually, it looks like EXACTLY the same thing...same color, same material..just has a Chrystler logo on it... $259.99 ....Whereas my Auto-Zone one was $75 and doesn't have the logo....
Thread Starter
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Veteran
Joined: May 2011
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the AC evap core is in the same air exchange box as the heater core. no personal experience but in some of the past threads there was just barely room to replace the heater core without disconnecting/recharging the AC.
if money is not too tight, some people go ahead and replace the AC evap, just because its so much labor to pull the dash. its not an expensive part.
if money is not too tight, some people go ahead and replace the AC evap, just because its so much labor to pull the dash. its not an expensive part.