Heater core? Thermostat? Recall?

[jettapropelled]

A year ago I purchased a 1988 Wolfsburg Jetta GL, 4cyl, standard, ac, with 177,000 miles. Recently I've smelled antifreeze coming from the vents. Dealers, mechanics, the guy on the street, all say that the heater core is going. I've checked out the recalls on the net on '88 Jettas with the 4 cyl (both eng types) and there was, a heater core recall listed. I called a dealer, gave the VIN number BUT was told my car was not included in this recall. First off, any reason why MY 1988 Jetta would not be included in this recall? Secondly, is the heater core the ONLY reason that I'm smelling antifreeze? There was a new thermostat still in its package in the trunk when I bought the car. Could it be remotely possible that the car is in need of a new thermostat and not a heater core? The temp gauge needle has acted funny in the past, rising and falling as I drive. The red flashing temp light used to come on as well, but once the car was warmed up, shut off, then restarted, the light wouldn't come on again. These days, the red light never comes on and the temp gauge needle does nothing. The car has had great heat, but I don't turn it on anymore, because I don't want to acquire a taste for antifreeze. Folks say I don't have to worry about repairing it until the fall because I won't need a heater in the warmer months BUT I've turned the heater controls to cool and the vent controls to the AC side (the AC doesn't work by the way) and I still smell antifreeze! Can I even shut the whole vent system off? Too much money has been spent on this car already. I feel if I don't fix this problem I'm never going to get anything for the car and all the new parts were just a waste of time and money. Dealer wants $725 to fix it, so I figure its a $500 job anywhere else.

[stereodetailing]

well the car being that old the recall would be voided and the coolant would has most likley never been change reg intervals, so the coolant becomes acidic and ate at the heater core,weaking it. the heater core is the only thing in the engine cooling system that is with in the air ducting of the car. well basicly the heater core is just old and weak so it could not hold up to the pressure of the hot coolant. when doing the heater core replacement you should go ahead and replace the t-stat and flush the coolant really well, and keep the service intervals of your coolant changes reg.

P.S. if you are in the cedar rapids, Iowa area bring your car to kirkwood comm. college automotive technology shop that shop save you some cash!!!

[boschmann]

The heater core recall was probably already performed (I've never seen on last more than 80K). I've replaced mine three times in 175K, they just aren't made that well. Hot coolant flows through the core whether you have the control lever set to hot or cold, the control lever only closes a flap in the air box. If you don't want to fix it yet you can just bypass the core in the engine compartment, just run the two heater hoses together. $500 is a bit steep, anyone who is familiar with these can do it in about 2-3 hours, cores are about $50.

[jettapropelled]

Thanks for the heater core info. Bypassing sounds like a good quick fix for now. Any tips for that job?

Thanks again.

[boschmann]

I had a core blow out on a trip to Atlanta, GA. I just went under the hood & pulled one hose from the core (at the firewall) & ran it to the other hose's connector on the engine. All I needed was a pair of pliers. It was pretty kinked but it didn't matter much as it's flow is not neccessary for cooling system operation. You can get a 1" tubing butt connector & run the hoses from the core together & it looks better & still flows okay.

[jettapropelled]

Sounds easy enough. And you were right about $500 being a bit steep. I found someone to do it for around $300. Thanks for all your help.

[jettapropelled]

Well I did it! Using vice grips I clamped off both lines and cut them. Then I used a vacuum set in reverse to blow out the remaining antifreeze in the core. I used a tubing connector kit (under 3 bucks)and put the two lines together. Oh happy days! Sure I froze my feet off going to work today but the feeling of accomplishment warm me to the core. Ha! The core!
Anyway, thanks a bunch!