Heater Core Replacement Cost: 6 Signs That You Need To Fix Your Heater Core

A good heater core is critical to your wintertime pleasure. Meanwhile, a bad one doesn’t only stop at leaving you cold in the winter – it can ruin other parts of your car and result in a massive bill. In today’s post, Driverevolve will help you understand more about this small but mighty part, including 6 signs that you need a fix and the heater core replacement cost. 

What Is A Heat Core? 

A heater core is a mini version of your vehicle’s radiator. It utilizes the thermal energy from your car’s coolant to heat your vehicle’s interiors. It redirects coolant from the rest of the vehicle’s cooling mechanism.

The coolant collects heat when the motor gets hotter; the hydraulic pump distributes it through the cooling mechanism. The central radiator subsequently cools it down under the boiling temperature, and the thermostat uses it to keep the entire network at a fixed temperature.

Whenever you switch on the heater in your vehicle, a valve opens to allow warm coolant to reach the heater core (on a few cars), or a door opens to allow air to pass through your already-hot heater core. 

When your coolant is around 200°F, your heater can rapidly send a massive amount of heated air to the car’s cabin.

As a car owner, chances are you face with many hurdles, not just a faulty heater core. No doubt, the clicking noise or water leaking from the car can make you get on your nerves! Try to spot the culprits before fixing.

6 Signs That You Need To Replace Your Heater Core 

Fog Inside Your Car

If you notice fog within your vehicle, you should take it seriously. Your heater core might be faulty, resulting in your defrosters stopping working. Secondly, your core might spew fog/smoke into your car’s interior.

Wet Passenger-Side Floorboard

A damp passenger-side floorboard might indicate a leaking heater core, which is the most prevalent problem. Coolant will trickle underneath your passenger-side firewall, with a few leaking through your firewall and onto your floorboard.

A faulty air conditioning evaporator core might also result in a damp passenger-side floorboard. The distinction is that a defective heater core will discharge coolant, while a bad evaporator core would release water onto the floor.

Sweet Smells in the Car

It’s possible that the sweet scent in your car isn’t from your fragrance or the pastries you’re bringing to your office. There is probably something wrong with your heater core. 

If your heater core starts leaking, it will discharge engine coolant scents via its vents. Coolant has a lovely, somewhat moldy odor. Most people state that this scent resembles sweets, fruits, or golden syrup.

Constant Engine Coolant Loss

Regarding coolant, coolant loss is yet another symptom that your core is failing. This is frequently caused by coolant leakage within your heater core. 

You might fill up your coolant only to discover it is down the following day. Insufficient coolant amounts can cause your engine to burn up and cause severe damage; thus, you should address the leakage as soon as possible.

Cold Air In the Cabin

Your heater core contains a pipe system that circulates heated engine coolant before returning it to your radiator. Air is pumped onto your hot coolant for reheat before it is vented into the cabin. If the air is cold rather than warm, your core may leak all of the hot coolants via the pipes.

Cold Cabin/Hot Engine

Ultimately, the last hint that your heater core collapses is a mix of the former two. If cold air is coming from your vents yet your engine is scorching, you have a coolant issue that may most likely relate to the heater core. It’s most likely leaking and depleting your engine or coolant.

What Causes A Bad Heater Core?

For example, if your coolant is not replaced at times recommended by the automaker, it will ultimately deteriorate. When this occurs, your coolant starts to wear out different metal parts of the cooling mechanism, especially your heater core.

Sediment accumulation in the old coolant can also jam your heater core, leading to more severe problems within this component.

Heater Core Replacement Cost: How Much Is It?

The cost of repairing your heater core relies on whether you do it yourself or contact an expert.

To replace your heater core with an expert, the overall cost of components and labor will be from $800 to $1,000, much more than the replacement cost of a muffler delete. Service rates differ, so ask the staff from several maintenance services for estimates.

If you repair your heater manually, you will only need to purchase a replacement heater core, which costs from $100 to $300. 

However, the heater core’s tricky position underneath the engine compartment or behind the dashboard might be a problematic do-it-yourself replacement.

FAQs 

Wrapping Up 

The importance of your heater core doesn’t stop at keeping you warm in the winter. It is an essential link in your vehicle’s system and can directly affect the performance of the whole mechanism. Thus, don’t overlook any issue occurring with this one. 

Remember, your heater core replacement cost might be much less than the money you spend fixing components affected by a faulty heater core! 

For more knowledge of car parts, refer to our Fun Autopart section.