Heater Core Query

[JediMaster]

Hi everyone, it seems that my heater core in my 98 TF Magna Wagon is leaking and I am wondering if someone can please answer a couple of questions I have.

First of all, I would like to know is there an after market heater core available? Specifically one that is an all in one unit and one where you don't have to use O rings or those seals and plastic pipe connectors.

I read somewhere that this is a common problem in this model. But does anyone know how often this job has to be done?

The Gregory's repair manual also states that the steering collum needs to be removed. Is this really necessary?

I also rang around a few Mitsubishi dealerships in Sydney and they have quoted me between $1000 - $1500 to have the job done ..... As they say it takes around 8 hours to do. Yet one dealership wanted my car for two days. I went to one of those Repco service centers and the girl behind the counter quoted me $1300.00 , she also told me that the heater core alone was $800.00 ... However Lube Mobile have quoted me around $700.00 to do the job.

So before I go with Lube Mobile does anyone know of anybody or anywhere else, where I could get the job done in Sydney?

BTW I am happy to pay anyone to do the job even if they are not a mechanic. But they have to know what they are doing when it comes to pulling a dash out. I can assist in doing the job as well its just that I don't want to tackle it on my own .

[mrgibblets-wa]

BTW I am happy to pay anyone to do the job even if they are not a mechanic. But they have to know what they are doing when it comes to pulling a dash out. I can assist in doing the job as well its just that I don't want to tackle it on my own .

That right there is the real reason why it cost so much. its a **** of a job!

[Madmagna]

That right there is the real reason why it cost so much. its a **** of a job!

Crap, you clearly have not done one so do not bother commenting

Yes, the dash comes out, no the column does not need to move.

To give you an idea, when I put the high contrast dash in my car, removed the dash to run the new loom, dash out, new loom in, dash in, about 2 hours The only extras you need to do for the heater is remove a couple of brackets and 2 hoses, box out, slide out core, replace seals, put back together.

All up for a new person to a Magna but a mechanic, I would say a fair 5 hours.

The cores are not avail without the "O" rings or fittings, they are reasonable reliable given your car is now 11 years old

IF you feel like a drive to Vic, I can do it for you cheaper than that and you should have change left over even after the fuel

[Johnnyred]

I had a heater core replacement done on my TH ....cost was around $500 but I saved some money as it my mechanic went easy on me as I'm a regular customer....saved a couple of hundred. So say $700 - $800.

I suppose in the order of expense.....

Dealership
Service centre ie Kmart Auto / Repco service centre
Local mechanic.

Quite frankly never go to a dealer for repairs / servicing....your paying for all that Glitter and advertising.

[twlvlksjstlky]

sorry to hijack, but i have question about air conditioning... when i turn my aircon on, it comes out quite forcefully at the feet end but barely at all from the front vents. I can even turn it on full and it still trickles out of the front vents. Does it need regassing, or is something unplugged?

[lowrider]

well im going to tackle my heater core soon, shouldnt be too hard, ive removed dash and air con condensor before. ill post on progress, just gota find time to do it

[Elwyn]

Bit confused here, and hoping like hell that I never have this problem (leaking at Heater Core)......

I have an impression that very cheap o-rings quite commonly leak - is this where the Heater core is joined by the small plastic pipes that heater hoses are clamped to? (Ie: Heater Core itself is reliable and sealed, its just a poor seal where plastic pipes join onto a metal heater core?)

Is a failed Heater Core - actual core leaks - a common problem.

Trying to get this straight in my head, cos with 3 TJ/KJ's to shepherd, I fear that I'm gonna face this issue sooner or later.

Semi-related question: TR 4cyl and KS V6 - did they have trouble with heater leaks at all? (have one of each of those in family as well).

@TWVLJKHKJGGGGHP's question: Possibly best to start seperate thread about your issue.
Does moving the "selector" dial alter the airflow AT ALL (assuming you have manual air-con) - if selecting (face) (screen) (half-face/half-feet) (feet) changing that setting makes NIL difference to airflow - I'd be looking to see that a selector cable hasn't been detatched from heater box, or cable broken (most unlikely to break a cable, I'd have thought).
Go to Tech Torque forum, download approp Mitsi Workshop manual from links provided - look at Heating/Ventilation chapter. If links don't work, post up and maybe we can e-mail the large PDF to you ro something.

[lowrider]

Bit confused here, and hoping like hell that I never have this problem (leaking at Heater Core)......

I have an impression that very cheap o-rings quite commonly leak - is this where the Heater core is joined by the small plastic pipes that heater hoses are clamped to? (Ie: Heater Core itself is reliable and sealed, its just a poor seal where plastic pipes join onto a metal heater core?)

Is a failed Heater Core - actual core leaks - a common problem.

Trying to get this straight in my head, cos with 3 TJ/KJ's to shepherd, I fear that I'm gonna face this issue sooner or later.

guy at dads work, his daughter has a TJ, had a leeking heater core, he got another from wreckers, installed it himself, and apparently that leaked a few months later. so he bought a brand new one from mitsu, cuz he wasnt too keen on pulling the dash out again

[Madmagna]

You do not need a new core, it is the seals that leak not the core

The new seals that mits supply are a revised rubber based seal where as the old ones were a nylon based seal or "O" ring and tended to go hard

As you are running coolant, this keeps the rubber in better shape

If you change them they should be fine if done correctly, of course if you get one from a wrecker it is likely to leak in a short time

[Elwyn]

guy at dads work, his daughter has a TJ, had a leeking heater core, he got another from wreckers, installed it himself, and apparently that leaked a few months later. so he bought a brand new one from mitsu, cuz he wasnt too keen on pulling the dash out again

Thanks for that. What I am wondering, was the metal heater core itself leaking (through corrosion, say),

OR

Was it a $4- o-ring leaking where a plastic flange and pipe is screwed onto the heater core, for the purpose of joining the heater hose to the core?

I thought the sequence went something like this: Heater hose --> clamped onto a plastic pipe. Plastic pipe is moulded continuous with a flange. Flange --> screwed to metal heater core unit.... and SEALED by a pair of O-rings. O-rings dry-out/shrink/whatever, causing a leak at the junction NOT in the core itself. Unscrewing the flange from metal heater core, changing O-rings, screwing flange back onto metal heater core unit - solves leak. That was my understanding of a common leak.

Just hoping my understanding is correct - I'd hate to be buying an expensive core unit, when the leak is actually due to o-rings where plastic joins the metal core. If the actual metal core is ALSO know to leak, fairly commonly, is what I am trying to get
straight in my head. Thanks.


EDIT: Thanks Mal - your reply posted while I was writing my essay above. Thanks, seems I absorbed your previously posted advice on this issue correctly. Leaks mostly at O-rings, not the core itself - no need to buy new cores in decently-maintained car (one that has had coolant). Just buy o-rings, get Mal to fix - LULLS.