basic car heating core question?

Question

i just asked a question about white smoke coming out of the heater vents along with my windows always being fogged up

acording to fellow yahoo answer ppl i need a new heating core..

is there any thing else that might be broken besides the heating core?

how much is a heating core from a parts store and then put it in my self

how much labor on putting a new heating core in if i would take it to a shop...

does this need to be fixed asap aka if i dont fix it somerhing else will go wrong

or

if i dont fix it i will just have foggy windows no heat and some smoke but nothing else will hapen

thanks

this is for a 97 ford taurus G 3.0

Answer 1

Usually when your heater core goes out, your passenger side floorboard will get soaked with all the fluid coming out. The heater core is usually located just in front of the passenger floorboard.

I have had several heater cores go out on me and all on Ford's. I don't know why that is, but it is. The first time one went out on me, I had it replaced at a shop. The part itself isn't all that expensive, but the labor will kill you. It is a pain in the rump to get to apparently.

After that little lesson, I just had them bypassed. Now, if you live in a cold area, this would not be a good idea. If you bypass your heater core, you will have NO HEAT. Even here in Texas, it can get pretty cold during the winter.

Good luck!
;)

Answer 2

Some cores are a pain to replace while others are a tremendous pain. I used to have a '95 Taurus that was bad about fogging up the windshield in cold weather unless the defroster was used continuiously. The heater core was NOT leaking. On the '95, there was a cabin air filter that needed to be replaced and most new cars have the same type of filter. That's been a while ago, but I think the flat plastic cowling piece under the hood and just in front of the windshield had to come out to replace it.

One way to determine if the core is leaking is that if it's coolant being deposited on the windshield, it will leave a slick or sticky residue. Humidity from inside the car won't and will completely dry away after a while. If it actually is the core leaking, before spending big bucks on replacing it, try adding some radiator stop leak to the coolant. Barrs is good but I like the silver colored Prestone stuff. If the leak isn't too bad, it may fix the problem.

Answer 3

Sounds like a heater core..Do you smell antifreeze? Losing antifreeze? Windows steam up with defrost or heat? They are not expensive but should be changed.A small leak might be stopped with a leak stopper but you will eventually need to get it replaced.Labor will be most of the cost and it depends where you live. Most of them suck to change...I hate changing them. And Ford is no worst than others. A 10 year old car and corrosion type of antifreeze number of flushes done,mileage,overheats and many factors determine why they start leaking.

Answer 4

depending on what car you have , heater cores can be as cheap as $20.
Changing them again depends on what type car, usually involve taking part of the dash out to get to it.
As to not fixing it, your losing engine coolant with it leaking, right now it's not a lot, but you have to keep check on your radiator water level so you don't cook your engine.
MOst repair manuals available at the auto parts store will show you step by step how to change one.