
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Car Heater?
Car Heater Problem | Repair Cost |
Malfunctioning Fan Problem | $300-$600 |
Faulty Thermostat | $140-$300 |
Inadequate Coolant | $150-$400 |
Failing Heater Core | $1030-$1300 |
How much does it cost to repair a heater core?
A heater core is not a very cheap part of your vehicle to get repaired and will often cost between $500 and $1,000 to repair if the entire heater core needs to be fixed. However, if all you require is a heater core flush then you may end up paying between $100 and $150 to get it done.
What is the labor time to replace the heater core?
What Is Done During Heater Core Replacement?
- First disconnect the vehicle battery and remove the steering wheel.
- Remove all outer doors or/and casings from the kick panels, fuse box, and speakers.
- Remove any gauges, radio, speakers, glove box and any other accessories.
- Detach your air conditioner control panel.
- Unbolt and carefully remove the car dashboard.
How do I replace a heater core?
- Remove the access panels (s) or the split heater/air conditioning case to gain acess to the heater core.
- Remove the heater coolant hoses.
- Remove the cable and/or vacuum control lines (if equipped).
- Remove the heater core securing brackets and/or clamps.
- Lift the core from the case. ...
- To reinstall the heater core, reverse the removal steps.
How do you repair a heater core?
if you don’t have the time or the money to repair your heater core immediately, there’s a possible short-term solution. you can disconnect both heater core hoses where they enter the heater core, and then connect them together using a coupler. this effectively bypasses the heater core and usually stops the leaking. again, this is a temporary fix, and will leave you without heat and your defroster.

Can you drive with a blown heater core?
If you have a bad heater core, you should bring your car in for repairs right away. Driving with a faulty heater core can be risky, as it can lead to overheating and extensive engine damage. Even a clogged heater core can prevent proper coolant circulation, causing your engine to run hot.
How long does it take to replace a heater core?
6-8 hours,2 people,if they know what they are doing!
Can you fix a heater core without replacing it?
Can I repair a leaking heater core? Fixing a leaking heater core will always be much easier than replacing one. Since it is only a small leak in the heater core, we recommend simply sealing that leak and leaving your heater core in place.
What are signs that your heater core is going out?
Five Signs Your Car's Heater Core Is Going BadFog Inside Your Car. Two things could be going on if you have fog inside your car. ... Sweet Smells in the Car. The sweet smell in your car might not be your perfume or the donuts you're taking to work. ... Constant Engine Coolant Loss. ... Cold Air in the Cabin. ... Cold Cabin/Hot Engine.
Will Stop leak fix a heater core?
Our Bar's Leaks Liquid Aluminum Heater Core Stop Leak is a one-of-a-kind solution that is guaranteed to safely and easily seal leaks in plastic, aluminum and metal radiators, heater cores, gaskets and freeze plugs. Across the USA, over 4 million bottles have been sold.
What causes a heater core to leak?
Coolant/antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that coat the surfaces inside the cooling system, including the heater core. When the corrosion inhibitors are depleted, the cooling system can become corroded, filled with contaminants and may even start to leak.
What is the fastest way to fix a heater core?
1:145:59How to "Quick Fix" Your Leaking Heater Core - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so I'm just going to cut them and join them using one of these garden hose connectors you canMoreAnd so I'm just going to cut them and join them using one of these garden hose connectors you can get these in your lawn. And garden. Section. Pretty much anywhere for about $4.
Will a coolant flush unclog a heater core?
Flushing a radiator can help reduce the rust that passes through the heater core. The most effective way of unclogging a heater core is by flushing it with a garden hose.
Is replacing a heater core easy?
If the heater core came with an access cover, then install it. Recheck the radiator to ensure there is enough coolant present as air pockets may escape the system and need additional fluid. This job is doable, it just ranges from easy to challenging, depending on where the heater is located inside your car.
Can heater core affect air conditioning?
Recommended Services. The heater core will not cause the A/C to not blow cold. If your A/C is working properly with the correct amount of refrigerant, then you may have a temperature blend door not working and staying on heat mode.
Is a heater core the same as a radiator?
The heater core is basically a small radiator that works in reverse, in that the heater fan blows across the heater core to push warm air into the passenger compartment.
Heater CORE Replacement Cost Comparison
We’ve collected some sample costs of heater core replacement from the leading garage chains in the country. These costs will vary depending on your...
When Should You Have The Heater CORE replaced?
Obviously the time to have your heater core replaced is when you have no heat inside your car or you are getting very little of it. At this stage,...
What Is Done During Heater CORE Replacement?
1. First disconnect the vehicle battery and remove the steering wheel. 2. Remove all outer doors or/and casings from the kick panels, fuse box, and...
How to Save Money on Heater CORE Replacement
A heater core is a comparatively inexpensive part across all vehicle makes and models. What is however rather hefty is the labor portion of the rep...
Sample Heater CORE Replacement Costs
Below are some sample costs for having the heater core replaced on some of the most popular cars in the country. These should be used as a guide on...
How much does it cost to replace a heater core?
On average it costs about $800 to replace the heater core in most vehicles. For some more specific estimates of the cost of heater core replacement, using $100 an hour as a labor rate and adding in the cost of a couple of gallons of coolant: For a 2003 Honda Civic with a 1.7-liter engine, the labor time to replace the heater core is 7.3 hours.
How to tell if heater core needs replaced?
Signs that a heater core needs replaced are: Coolant loss, often from the HVAC drain around the firewall area. The smell of coolant in the cabin, and sometimes greasy-feeling mist on the lower windshield from the defrost vents. No heat from the vents, if the heater core is blocked.
How much does it cost to replace a heater core on a 2006 Ford Fusion?
This makes the job about $1081 using OE parts, or about $815 using aftermarket parts. For A 2006 Ford Fusion with a 3.0-liter engine, the labor time to replace the heater core is 5.6 hours. A factory heater core costs about $169, or a Spectra Premium part costs about $67. This makes the job about $749 using OE parts, ...
How to avoid heater core problems?
How can I avoid heater core problems? The main way is to service the coolant according to the schedule in the owner’s manual, and to make sure that nothing but the correct fluid is added to the cooling system. If water must be added most manufacturer’s recommend using distilled water rather than tap water.
How much does it cost to replace a 2009 Nissan Frontier heater core?
For a 2009 Nissan Frontier four-wheel drive, the labor time to replace the heater core is 6.6 hours. A factory heater core costs about $348, or a GPD part costs about $87. This makes the job about $1028 using factory parts, or about $767 using aftermarket parts.
What is heater core?
You'll get a rough estimate for your vehicle and we'll get your car repaired urgently. A heater core is much like a small radiator. Coolant is circulated through it from the water pump and it has fins to increase the surface area and shed heat more efficiently.
Why do heater cores leak?
They are necessarily made out of thin metal to transmit heat most effectively, and they can be delicate. Vibrations or physical handling can cause a heater core to crack and leak, or they can also leak from corrosion.
How do I replace a heater core?
What Is Done During Heater Core Replacement? 1 First disconnect the vehicle battery and remove the steering wheel. 2 Remove all outer doors or/and casings from the kick panels, fuse box, and speakers. 3 Remove any gauges, radio, speakers, glove box and any other accessories. 4 Detach your air conditioner control panel. 5 Unbolt and carefully remove the car dashboard. 6 Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t disconnect your AC as you may let the Freon into the air. Do this only if you know about Freon disposal as it is dangerous and toxic. 7 Identify and disconnect the 2 heater hoses. 8 Shift air ducts or/and other components away from the casing/housing of the heater. 9 Finally remove the heater core from its casing/housing. Remove any fasteners or screws to gain free access to the heater core itself. Take the old heater core out and simply insert and fasten the replacement.
What is heater core?
A heater core is a comparatively inexpensive part across all vehicle makes and models. What is however rather hefty is the labor portion of the replacement bill. This is because the heater core unit is buried deep inside your car’s dashboard. As such, most of your dash (if not entirely) must be removed first.
How to tell if heater core is leaking?
You may identify a leaking heater core by the smell of coolant emanating from the vents or the wet patches visible on the rug of your car, especially on the passenger side. It’s good to note that coolant is toxic.
Why does my heater core clog?
A clog in the heater core forms as a result of the residue deposits left behind by old coolant. This will eventually end up sealing up the core tubes through which the coolant is meant to flow. Regularly flushing the car’s coolant system assists in preventing this type of clogging in the heater core.
What is the purpose of heater core?
The work of the heater core is to regulate the temperature within the car. When this component breaks down, your car is left without any heat as your antifreeze stops flowing.
What happens when a heater core breaks down?
When it breaks down, the temperature in your car will begin dropping. The subsequent replacement cost is usually not very high, but the levels of discomfort in the car are high. Benefits of having your heater core replaced in good time include:
Where is the heater core located?
The heater core is normally located behind the dashboard of your car, either on the passenger side or under the dash center. It has some housing or casing and is typically buried behind nearly all the other dashboard features or components. Replacing the heater core can be an expensive job, and usually costs between $564 – $927 for parts and labor.
How much does it cost to replace a heater core?
The average cost for a Heater Core Replacement is between $857 and $1,008 but can vary from car to car.
What happens if a heater core is clogged?
If the heater core is clogged, the air that blows when the heater is turned on will not be very hot.
Can you drive a car with a heater core leaking?
If the heater core is leaking, don't drive the car. Any coolant leak can lead to an overheated engine. In this situation, towing the vehicle to a repair facility is the best course of action. When the heater core is clogged, it will not affect drivability, but passenger comfort may suffer.
Can a heater core be a problem?
Most vehicles will never have a problem with the heater core. But if you don't have your cooling system maintained and flushed as part of the car's regular maintenance, the odds of a heater core problem go way up.
Signs of Heater Core Replacement
Below are common heater core replacement symptoms. The most common signs of a bad heater core include:
Heater Core Replacement Cost
Replacing the heater core on any vehicle is a labor intense job. It is more of a labor cost that the parts involved.
Heater Core Inspection & Repair
The heating system is a closed loop; fresh water from the radiator cools off an electric pump and it gets sent through your heater core to be heated up before being sent out through your vents.
Heater Core Repair & Replacement
An undeniable sign of heater core replacement is fogged windows and the sweet smell of antifreeze inside the vehicle. Heater core problems happen rarely, but they do happen. Usually with older model vehicles and is will leak antifreeze inside the vehicle when it needs repair.
What Can Be The Problems Associated With Car Heater?
A fan motor in your car is responsible for blowing air over the heater core. When this happens, air will be conditioned, and it will flow all over your car ductwork.
Does The Repairing Cost Vary With Brands?
Car heater repair costs may vary from one brand to another. There are different brands that you can find in the market. Each manufacturer charges differently for their products for luxury cars and common cars.
Is It Good To Fix Or Replace A Car Heater?
Your car heater could be having some issues which are easy to set. Therefore this type of problem you can fix at home. When the problem is a complex one that needs the assistance of a mechanic, you need to take it for proper check and diagnosis to an auto repair shop.
Where Can I Fix A Car Heater?
You can look for your area auto repair shops and check if they can fix your car heater problem. Most dealers have websites where you can search online ask for references from your friends and relatives.
Can I fix A Car Heater Myself?
Yes, you can. When your car heater develops an issue, you don’t need to worry. Some problems can be resolved within 20 minutes to 2 hours using simple tools, and the heater will work fine.
Where is the heater core located?
The heater core is located inside the car on the passenger side compartment, underneath the dashboard. Coolant from the engine flows through the heater core. The blower motor blows air across the heater core filled with hot coolant. The air absorbs the heat from the coolant and escapes from the heater vents providing warm air.
What happens if you leave a heater core unattended?
Furthermore, if a leaking heater core is left unattended, over time your carpet will become contaminated with coolant and the vehicles floor will start to corrode.
Why does my car heater not work?
The air absorbs the heat from the coolant and escapes from the heater vents providing warm air. If the heater core becomes clogged or if it starts leaking, the coolant will not be able to flow through it . In that case, the heater will not work (car will not get any hot air).
