R&R heater core $1200

[moon03]

called the dealer to see how much to replace the heater core and was told its a day and a half job taking out the dash and AC/heater carrier box. $1159 I think was the quote,I believe him as I tried to remove one at the junk yard to see if it would be possible to cut the drain pan bottom and remove the heater core and then repair the pan but I gave up I had the engine compartment ac and hgeater hoses off and the bol;ts/nuts removed that looked like they may connect to the box but the duct and other stuff was more than I had time for next time I go with a battery sawzall. just thought I'd pass the info along. I keep a jacket in the car.
I'm thinking of reconnecting the hoses and using som block seal and see if that stops the leaking. Its sad when a heater core won't last 10 years when antifreeze is kept in the system. had a ^( chevt pickup for almost 20 years and never had a heater core problem but did have a radiator go and replaced it. had a 90 Cavalier that I replaced the heater core in 2001, alum. core like the Malibu (I think it may be plastiic wirh alum ends.

[maxwedge]

Book time is 7.3 hours so I don't know how they arrived at that price even at 80/hour, do the math.

[moon03]

thanks I'll check some other dealers. $600 may get me to fix it. I am going to replace the fan resistor myself for the AC to get back the 1 and 2 settings. This model has more than its share of glitches, window switches, climate control switch, the intake gasket I think GM thought they would last untill the warranty ran out. I've only had the car a couple of months and for the most part I really like it. I just hope when I fix the problems the fixes last
I can see where buying a Malibu could turn a Chevy man to another car I started with a 59 Belair and several others sense but I am looking at my daughters BMW and my son's Toyota andd Honda and they have so few problems and so many miles.

[ekul43230]

I feel I have a heater core problem too, it still blows heat for now, but whether the car is running or not it has a constant drip of coolant coming from the condensor hose, is that the same place yours leaked? Also when the car gets up to temp and I turn on the heat it blows steam that smells like coolant from the defrost vents, did you experience this ever? Thanks

[inafogg]

hi ekul yes its a heater core keep a close eye on the coolant