Heater Core Replacement Cost

The vehicle’s heater core is among the most vital components in a car, and is one which many people don’t think about until it’s too late. 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. The parts aren’t particularly expensive, normally costing $80 – $234, but the location of the heater core means that labor costs tend to be quite high.

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 location and the type of car you drive, so they should only be used as a rough estimate.

Your Mechanic

Midas

Mr. Tire

Pep Boys

Walmart

Amazon

What is the Heater Core?

The heater core looks very similar to a mini-version of your car’s radiator, and in fact is in itself a small radiator. It has a grid of several little tubes as well as a waffled appearance that comes from the fins that are used in dispersing the heat. 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.

Benefits of Heater Core Replacement

Your heater core makes it possible for your defroster and heater to function efficiently.It operates as a miniature radiator that allows antifreeze to flow smoothly through your car’s thermostat and thus controlling the heating system. 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:

Optimized Cooling  – The key benefit that comes from this technology is that you get an optimized cooling for your everyday driving which also leads to better economy in terms of fuel usage. Additionally, it is possible to reduce your front-end cooling module and cooling size for maximum efficiency during the replacement.

Efficient Engine Operation – This technology boosts the operation of other fuel-saving technologies in your car such as exhaust gas re-circulation and automatic grille shutters. This is through enabling them to run nearer to their optimum efficiency levels.

The heater core has the ability to eliminate a good percentage of your car’s total engine waste heat as already it has been plumbed with constant and sufficient coolant flow. When this setting breaks down, your system is no longer operating optimally. Replacing the malfunctioning heater core restores the balance.

The heater core of your car can also be utilized in supplementing on-demand engine cooling so that you can maximize the front-end cooling pack for regular driving. This also contributes to improving your car’s fuel economy.

Although ignoring the necessary repair or replacement of the heater core is not going to leave you by the roadside stranded or totally helpless, it could very well end up making your experience very uncomfortable. This becomes especially critical over the winter. Surviving without heat over winter or to drive a car with frosted windows certainly does not make your driving neither comfortable nor safe, so get the heater core it repaired or replaced.

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, the heater core has either clogged up such that the unit is not having the hot coolant circulating well, or the coolant is leaking.

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.

Depending on the size of the hole, a leaking core could still be supplying some level of heat. 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. A leaking heater core will expose you and your passengers to breathing such toxic fumes which over time could make you ill.

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.

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 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. The hoses bringing in and taking out the coolant must also be disconnected, something which can be quite a task.

The best option is to get a personalized heater core replacement cost estimate based on your specific car and geographical location. However, remember that cheaply acquired and installed heater cores tend to leak easily and may not last that long.

The heater core may not be critical to the function and running of your car while on the road. However, it has a vital role when it comes to making your driving experience comfortable. You will therefore want to make sure that the heater core in your vehicle is function smoothly and efficiently at all times. Take your time, find, and engage a reputable mechanic with experience in motor vehicle climate control maters and let them deal with the issue.

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 only, as the costs will vary depending on your location.