Well I got coolant leaking in my truck from the heater ducts. Its the heater coil or core or whatever you call it. Its a 1994 GMC Jimmy with the 4.3L V6 Vortec. Im broke and really dont feel like fixing it. Can I drive it a little while with it like that?
2006-10-27 13:46:54 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i own a repair shop,and i usually do these for around 125 dollars parts and labor,all included,and you can drive it like this for a little while but not long,it will get a lot worse than it is but you might make it a little while before you have to get it done,but don't pay over that amount that's about an average price for doing one of those,and that includes flushing the whole system out on it also,good luck,i hope this help.s.
2006-10-27 13:59:28 · answer #1 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get away with not fixing it by bypassing the heater core with a T-connector on the two heater hose ends.
Remove the two hose clamps and pull the heater hoses from the heater core at the firewall in the engine bay. Connect the two heater hose pieces with a T-connector. You can find these in a Prestone backflush kit, about $5 at an autoparts store.
If you damage the hoses while removing them from the core, either cut them back with a clean cut and connect them, or remove them completely and connect their origins with one piece of heater hose.
When you have the time and money, replace the heater core. It's not really that difficult. You have to get under the dash on the passenger side to get to it. Once the heater hoses are disconnected (above), it's not that much more work to pull the core out from under the dash and put in a new one.
Oh, one more thing. Sometimes you'll get lucky using a radiator stop-leak product. Dump some of this in your radiator and it will migrate to your heater core and plug it if the leak isn't too bad.
2006-10-27 14:18:03 · answer #2 · answered by x 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the heater core on my s10 has been leaking for about a year and i drive it everyday and havent fixed it the heater still works and the truck has never overheated at first it did leak a lot on the pasenger side floor after awhile i stopped filling it to see what would happen and the only thing that happened was the heat isn't as hot but i live in wisconsin and it's cold here now and the heat is still plenty to keep me toasty warm so i don't know give it a try keep some antifreeze with you just in case it dosn't do what my truck did it will save you money if it works my truck is a 95 it has a 4.3 but it's throtle body not the feul injection like yours but it should'nt make a differance dodge man is right about the price though
2006-10-27 14:30:00 · answer #3 · answered by Angela k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of a heater core is about $300, the reason is that they have to go under the dash. It is not that bad if you want to do it your self. You can drive it with a leak, you just need to bypass the heater core. Disconnect the supply and return from the core and connect the supply to the return going the engine. The hoses are on the passenger side in the engine area. Get a fitting and two new hose clamps and connect the hoses. The only problem is that you will not have any heat in the winter.
2006-10-27 13:56:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
that cactus ajw got it for temporary. not quite clear though.
Take both heater hoses off the heater. Get a pipe ( short piece ) that will fit in the hose. put the hoses on the pipe. clamp with clamos from heater or get new ones. This will stop the leak till you can repair it.
2006-10-27 14:20:57 · answer #5 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
between $40-$70 dollar its OK to drive watch the water level and the smell of antifreeze and mold on carpet keep windows open or bypass the heater hoses
2006-10-27 14:00:03 · answer #6 · answered by vw66hotbugtallen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, that job costs 7.3 hrs, (7.3 x rate per hr = cost of labor) and about $60.00 for the core. You will need a coolant flush to set the pH back to normal. You need to read the safety concerns regarding breathing anti-freeze. http://www.safety-kleen.com/staticFiles/msds/82969.pdf#search='breathing%20antifreeze'
Remember don’t look for the cheap price, look for the honest shops, they have the ASE logo; other sources Auto-Part Stores, www.iatn.net, www.ase.com, and the Library.
A.S.E. Master Technician
2006-10-27 15:50:44 · answer #7 · answered by betaver1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gotta keep it filled with antifreeze until you get the cash to fix it. But if you don't fix it and you live in a cold climate, that car is trash.
2006-10-27 13:56:06 · answer #8 · answered by Maggie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eww. that's not an easy or cheap job. do you have friends in low places?
2006-10-27 13:55:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋