The steel coolant pipes that go from the engine toward the rear heater are corroded and now starting to leak. Someone please tell me there is a cheaper than $500 + fix for this (shop quote). Seems like a common problem and poor design issue. Can I simply cut off the leaking part and replace the hose that now connects the steel and aluminum sections?

 

I cut off the bad portion and replaced them with heater hose. However, that wound up being a fix that lasted about 2 years when the part of the pipe that went up to the engine started to go. I have always been very good about changing the coolant more often than recommended so I know that couldn't have been the issue.

 

There is another way.

I personally at first just cut the bad section out and replace with heater hose. I ended up replacing the line later on...

The other way is just bypass the rear heater. I personally rarely ever use it.

 

there's over 2hrs labor to change them, the part is over $100 plus fluid.

unless you can do it yourself, you'll have to pay someone for their knowledge, skills, tools and abilities. after all do you work for free? if you have a job, you are getting paid for your knowledge, and abilities. mechanics and shops don't work for free, they have a lot of overhead to pay.