Question by Eagle Scout: Relacing heater core in a 2002 Chevy Malibu?
Hello! I have a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu whose heater core has seen better days. The core ha a leak, and is flooding the passenger foot well when the car is in use. I contacted a GM dealer, and I am facing a $ 1200 repair bill which (on pension and disability) I do not have the cash for. The local auto parts shop, said this repair can be done by myself in just a few hours, and sold me a new core for $ 60. Yesterday, I spent over an hour and a half removing retention screws fr the heater core cover. This cover is now loose, but I can not get it off.
a) When I remove the hoses from the heater core, will it make it easier to remove the cover and the core?
b) Does the heater core cover “wrap around” the heater core tubes that project through the firewall?
c) Can his repair realistically be done by the owner, as suggested by the parts shop?
Thank you for your input!
See answers below. Add your own as well
1st off, get yourself a service manual. either haynes or chiltons, avaible at any auto parts store.
it will give you all the steps and info you need, along with some pics, to do the job yourself properly the 1st time.
chiltons is the better book, but haynes is the easier book for beginners (the “for dummies” version).
2nd off, if you just connect both the hoses that go to the motor to each other, removing teh heater core from the coolant circulation completely, it wont leak anymore. you wont have a heater either, but since summer is just kicking off, you wont need it for awhile anyways.