Figured out why Ive been using coolant. Bad heater core. Guy at the shop said he did a pressure test and coolant started pouring out into the floorboard. I knew there was something like this going on, because the defroster would fog up the windshield because it was blowing coolant vapor. But my question is, the shop is charging $545 for parts and labor. Sounded reasonable considering its hours of work. Its a little beyond my expertise. Some things I can do for myself, not sure about this. But I wondered what the forum had to say. My Haynes manual describes the process step by step. It doesn't sound that horrible, but having never done it before, Im sure there are unforeseen issues.

 

Faced with a charge like that I'd develop the expertise to do it yourself. Nothing complex just taking lots of pieces off until you get to the core. Plenty of help on the board somewhere.

 

Youre right. I did a lot of work on my Camaro two years ago, and saved several thousand. Trouble is, the weather is so bad, you cant count on having time to fix it. Ive never done it before, and I can guarantee you Id run into unexpected problems. Plus, with it leaking like that I cant drive it. Im between a rock and hard place with it.

 

What do you think of this video? This guy says you dont have to take the instrument panel out. He has a 91, mine is a 92--but it even looks like my car. It seems too easy, but it kind of makes sense too. What do you think?

 

I checked in my car, and everything this guy says fits except for the small fact that there is another panel covering the heater core that he does not show in his video. Its behind the kick panel. I pulled a couple screws out of the bottom, but it seems to be attached at the top also in a way I cant see.

 

I just done my heater core this past fall in my 89 Iroc...The job may seem imitating but really it is not that bad at all...Under the hood I unbolted the bracket that holds the coil in place and moved it. This gave me room to get at the clamps that are on the heater hoses...This all you have to do under the hood...Simple..15 minutes work. Now under the dash, this is the tangle. take off the lower trim panels so you can see what you are doing...There are 4 screws that hold the cover to where the heater core is...The hardest thing to do is the bolt on the top. You can get at it, bit of a tight spot. but a small quarter drive and socket you can do it.. once all the plastic parts are off it is wiggle the heater core out.....I found that when you try and put the heater core back through the firewall, it is easier if you have a friend to guide the tubes through the holes.......Taking your time, and not getting frustrated, 4 hours max....Just get yourself a good flashlight to see the bolts...Once you start pickin' at it you will realize, you can do it...And no you don't need to remove the dash pad or speakers...

 

Replacement cores are available at auto parts stores, so you don't have to go junking or cruise the web. They run $25-$45. Some are copper. That screw on top is a bear to remove and worse to reinstall. It took me eight hours to replace the heater core, worst job I had to do on maintenance. Goes much easier with two people, one to guide stubs through the firewall. Make sure to use correct cinches on hoses; they aren't all alike. The fancy ones I bought at Auto Zone didn't work. Save lots of $ doing this job yourself, as it's labor intensive and parts aren't expensive--assuming you have time to do it.

 

I found all that, but my trouble was I could not find how that last plastic panel covering the core was attached at the top. You say there are screws at the top? It was hard to see in there.

 

I have the time, but so much depends on weather this time of year. Part of my trouble is the mechanic seems like a decent guy, and I don't want to knife him in the back after he's ordered parts and set time aside for me in his schedule. Plus, I might need him for other work later and don't want to tick him off too bad. On the other hand, I do think its possible that I could do it, and don't want to waste money. After the core is installed, I need to have it pressure tested again, which this guy would do at no additional charge. He gave me the diagnostic today for free too because I told him Id bring it in for the work next week. Gotta be careful what bridges you burn. Honestly, I'll probably have him do it, but make sure he knows I know this job may not take 8 hours labor. My rear axle bearings also need to be replaced, which he offered to do for $500. I may take it to someone else for that because I have another offer of $125 labor (plus the bearing/seal set from Autozone for about $100). Like I said before, Im a novice. A lot of things I can do, a lot I cant just yet. I HATE, HATE, HATE having other people do work for me, its against my nature.