Heater core and box - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JamesM · 11-19-2002, 12:11 AM

I've already been through 5 heater cores on my '93 Chevy Suburban in the last 2 1/2 years. The dealer shop is honoring the warrenty on the one they installed this June, as they are installing the second replacement for that one (the other replaced in Sept.). Now, they say the heater box (containing the heater core and costing $163.00) is cracked, and that is probably why the cores keep failing. Does this sound right?

I literally had most of the contents of my radiator pouring out the passenger door when I pulled into the shop!

What else could be the cause of this problem? This burb has a history of coolant problems, including radiator leaks in the original, a radiator replacement (the 5-year-old radiator is now seeping), and replaced the "nipples" at the back of the intake mainfold twice.

(Lemonade anyone -- with a green-ish sweetner?)

Please help.

*Piston* · 11-19-2002, 12:34 AM

Heater cases dont just crack... well maybe after years and years of service they might but something doesnt sound right. Are they claiming the broken plastic is somehow poking a hole or rubbing a hole through the heater core?

Usually takes 1 of 4 things to make one leak
PH level in the coolant is too low causing the metal core to errode away
Something physicaly puncturing the core or rubbing a hole in it.
Someone moving the heater core pipes/hoses around and causing a leak at the solder joints.
Pressure, if you have a bad radiator cap and there's too much pressure in the system this could cause a heater core to leak.

It's really tough to say without being there, I dont know what the case is doing or looks like on the inside. But I will say I've never had a case cause misterious heater core leaks. Usually its coolant condition thats ruining the cores. I'd question them and ask that they show you where/what/when/how this is happening. If its not rubbing a hole through the core, I'd be highly suspecious of this being the problem.... then again... im not there to see it first hand :/

JamesM · 11-20-2002, 11:52 PM

Thanks for the reply. I've had the heater core replaced 2-3 times at a tire/service (alias: auto-butcher) shop in the past 2 years. If the box is cracked, they probably did it. When the 1-yr warrenty expired on that one, so did my patronage.

Mr. Goodwrench (now doing their 3rd replacement since May with geniune GM parts) says the cracked box allows the core to wiggle around, which leads to leaks.

I'm replaceing the radiator cap this time. I've also told them to hold the old parts for me.

11-19-2002, 12:11 AM	#1
JamesM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 36	Heater core and box I've already been through 5 heater cores on my '93 Chevy Suburban in the last 2 1/2 years. The dealer shop is honoring the warrenty on the one they installed this June, as they are installing the second replacement for that one (the other replaced in Sept.). Now, they say the heater box (containing the heater core and costing $163.00) is cracked, and that is probably why the cores keep failing. Does this sound right? I literally had most of the contents of my radiator pouring out the passenger door when I pulled into the shop! What else could be the cause of this problem? This burb has a history of coolant problems, including radiator leaks in the original, a radiator replacement (the 5-year-old radiator is now seeping), and replaced the "nipples" at the back of the intake mainfold twice. (Lemonade anyone -- with a green-ish sweetner?) Please help.

11-19-2002, 12:34 AM	#2
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	Heater cases dont just crack... well maybe after years and years of service they might but something doesnt sound right. Are they claiming the broken plastic is somehow poking a hole or rubbing a hole through the heater core? Usually takes 1 of 4 things to make one leak PH level in the coolant is too low causing the metal core to errode away Something physicaly puncturing the core or rubbing a hole in it. Someone moving the heater core pipes/hoses around and causing a leak at the solder joints. Pressure, if you have a bad radiator cap and there's too much pressure in the system this could cause a heater core to leak. It's really tough to say without being there, I dont know what the case is doing or looks like on the inside. But I will say I've never had a case cause misterious heater core leaks. Usually its coolant condition thats ruining the cores. I'd question them and ask that they show you where/what/when/how this is happening. If its not rubbing a hole through the core, I'd be highly suspecious of this being the problem.... then again... im not there to see it first hand :/

11-20-2002, 11:52 PM	#3
JamesM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 36	Thanks for the reply. I've had the heater core replaced 2-3 times at a tire/service (alias: auto-butcher) shop in the past 2 years. If the box is cracked, they probably did it. When the 1-yr warrenty expired on that one, so did my patronage. Mr. Goodwrench (now doing their 3rd replacement since May with geniune GM parts) says the cracked box allows the core to wiggle around, which leads to leaks. I'm replaceing the radiator cap this time. I've also told them to hold the old parts for me.



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