Heater Core Leaking Again
04-30-2018, 07:54 PM
#1
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Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z28
Engine: TPI 350ci L98
Transmission: T56 - Hurst Shifter
Axle/Gears: BW - 3.70
Heater Core Leaking Again
Are these cars prone to having faulty heater cores? My original failed in 2006. I replaced it with one from advance auto I believe. Now it's leaking again. Is there something that is causing these to keep leaking?
Is there a recommend replacement?
Is there a recommend replacement?
05-01-2018, 10:23 AM
#2
Supreme Member
Re: Heater Core Leaking Again
From my experience, heater cores in general don't last. I've had to replace the heater core in every car I've ever owned, and twice in my '02. I'd be happy getting 12 years out of one.
I don't know that I'd even recommend a Delco one as all of my Delco ones developed leaks. Even the original one in my '02 barely lasted 3 years (just long enough to be out of warranty
)
Most recently bought a spectra for my '91 RS. Been in there 3 months, so far, so good, although it was a complete PITA to get it in the car. Literally took 4 hrs of messing with it to get it to both fit and still allow the blend door to operate.
I don't know that I'd even recommend a Delco one as all of my Delco ones developed leaks. Even the original one in my '02 barely lasted 3 years (just long enough to be out of warranty
)Most recently bought a spectra for my '91 RS. Been in there 3 months, so far, so good, although it was a complete PITA to get it in the car. Literally took 4 hrs of messing with it to get it to both fit and still allow the blend door to operate.
Once a year for regular coolant.
05-02-2018, 07:17 AM
#5
Junior Member
Re: Heater Core Leaking Again
Could be quality of the replacement core or could be issues with old coolant or even the water you are using to mix it. Once a year flush and replace is cheap insurance and so is preblended coolant. There are also test strips you can dip into the coolant that test for about anything that can go wrong with it.
05-04-2018, 09:40 PM
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Heater Core Leaking Again
USE DISTILLED WATER with your coolant. NO CORROSION.
Prestone used to sell purified water to go along with their coolant for a short time.
When I could not get that anymore, I switched to distilled.
On my 95 GMC K1500 truck, I did this from day one.
I crashed it after about 20 years, and the shop could not believe that the radiator was original.
It failed a few years ago, the plastic tank developed a crack, but the core still looked new.
Zinc anodes also help.
Prestone used to sell purified water to go along with their coolant for a short time.
When I could not get that anymore, I switched to distilled.
On my 95 GMC K1500 truck, I did this from day one.
I crashed it after about 20 years, and the shop could not believe that the radiator was original.
It failed a few years ago, the plastic tank developed a crack, but the core still looked new.
Zinc anodes also help.
Last edited by NoEmissions84TA; 05-04-2018 at 09:45 PM.
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