How important is it to fix a bad heater core?

Question

I believe my heater core is bad, --- losing coolant, wet passenger side floor, film on windows---- How important is it to get this replaced?

Answer 1

Samara:
On most cars this is an expensive job, which is probably why you are asking.

The core provides the source for heat in the car and for defogging the windshield. If you can live without these, the core can be plugged up or bypassed in the engine compartment.

Any shop could do this quickly for fairly low cost.
Marc

Answer 2

Having a bad heater core could mean two things:

1. You will constantly lose coolant - the vital life blood of your engine that keeps it cool and operating at peak performance. If you lose too much, the engine will seize and you will have a major repair bill on your hands. $200-$300 is nothing compared to replacing an engine. You would look at $1000 or more for the complete job.

2. If you live in a state where there is winter, you would freeze. I know, I had a car that the heater core went out in the winter time and nearly froze.

I would just invest in the repair of your car. You will thank me later.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

depends, do you live ina cold climate where you will want to use your heater???

if so then yes, deffinately replace it, because while coolant is able to leak from that heater core you will be running the risk of overheating your engine.

if not, and you never really use it, what you can do is get a peice of heater hose or pipe that will fit into the heater hose and just disconnect the heater core from your cooling system. you do this by remmoving the heater hoses from their conections on the fire wall, and join them together (make sure u use hose clamps if u join it together) it will stop you from loosing coolant, but also means your heater will no longer work. if you have a/c it wont be affected by bypassing the heater core.
if you need any more help or info just let me know,

Answer 4

You have at least two options. 1. If you can live without the heat/defrost, you can cut the two heater hoses, insert plugs of proper size, and put clamps on them. This will stop all coolant from going through the core. (Be sure you plug the end of the cut hose coming from the engine. the ends from the firewall/heater core do not have to be plugged.) 2. Put in a new heater core. The leakage will ruin your carpet, and anti-freeze is poisonous to pets and or kids.!! Also the haze on your windows will get you a ticket sooner or later.!

Answer 5

If you want heat then you must get it replaced. If you don't need heat then you can just have a mechanic reroute the hoses to bypass the heater core. That will put an end to the wet floor.

Answer 6

It will become very important when it is cold. You can reroute the hoses temporarily for the summer and in the fall get the heater core replaced so you have heat.

Answer 7

If you dont replace it you need to plug it off. Take the two heater hoses and connect them together, you will lose heat completely but you will no longer lose coolant in the car.

Answer 8

if you don't mind not having heat then have someone by pass the heater core hoses under the hood with a piece of copper tubing and two hose clamps and do the repair next fall. Assuming you don't get any more cold weather.

Answer 9

well summer is coming up have some block off heater hose. but get it fixed before winter . some heater cores are hard to put back in place. cost $$$$ lees you has a friend to help you.

Answer 10

It will just get worse. Soon you will spend more money on antifreeze than the new heater core costs. Remember, antifreeze is also an anti-boil liquid, so you can't just use water to refill your system. Plus, without the cooling system being pressurized, you will boil-over easily. The constant leak is lowering your cooling system pressure.