Heater Core Leaking?

ALISONDRAIN

MEMBER
HONDA CIVIC

I have a '95 Honda Civic Coupe DX at 212,700 kms. Recently while driving, I noticed coolant leaking onto the passenger floor mat while I had the heat on. I talked to my neighbour and he said it sounded like my heater core had a leak and I should get it fixed ASAP. I've driven short distances the last few days, with the heat off and haven't seen any leakage. I just wanted to get a second opinion to see if this is most likely what the problem is or if not, what else it could be. I've also been told that if the heater core needs replacing, since I have a/c, I will have to take it into a shop. Do you have a rough guess of how much this will cost?

2 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

On some models shutting off the heat cuts off the flow of coolant to the heater core. You can also plug the two hoses to the heater from the engine side thus stopping all flow of heat to the cabin.

Replacing the heater core is a good deal of work. Not sure the cost though as I have always done my own work.

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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007 AT 4:31 PM

MIKEYBDMAN

MECHANIC
623 POSTS

A Honda dealer is probably going to charge 6.5 man/hours to change it and around $300 for the part. So all total it might be as high as $850 for a dealer to do. Some shops will beat that in price and if you get a core that is not genuine Honda parts it might save some.

As for if the core is leaking, turn your heat on and run it for a while. If the radiator fluid runs on the floor, smells like radiotr fluid, and your windows fog up a lot, then it is the heater core leaking.

If you are mechanically inclined, buy you a Chiltons manual, and follow it step by step and replace it yourself. Should take you a weekend of good work.

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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007 AT 4:39 PM