73-87chevytrucks.com
General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: Toolmaster on November 01, 2011, 09:02:05 am
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My wife has been driving a 05 Colorado, nice truck, drives good. Then the heater core started leaking,the fan quit working on the lower settings and the drivers side window quit working.
The dealer wanted 12-13hrs labor to replace the heater core. After searching the net I decided to tackle this project myself. OMG !!!!! The dash and everything behind the dash has to come OUT !!! When they built this truck they started with the heater core. It took me 5 hrs just to get to the heater core, today I will see what is involved in removing said heater core.
Here is where I am at today
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/Colorado%20heater%20core/IMG_0230.jpg)
5 hrs got me here !!!
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/Colorado%20heater%20core/IMG_0229.jpg)
See more photos at this link http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/Colorado%20heater%20core/
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They build the Colorados around the heater core, huh?
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Don't stop now, your almost there!!!!!!!!
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Its out !!!
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/Colorado%20heater%20core/IMG_0241.jpg)
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I don't miss doing them!
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And people complain about 73-87's, HA! That is CRAZY!
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Believe me, there's worse! Much Worse!
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I hear F-bodies are a nightmare.
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And the bad thing is the parts man at the dealer tried to sell me a heater core the you have to remove the old tubes from the old core and have them crimped on the new one, but they don't have the tools to do that and were no help at all.
Then he shows up with another core that has the tubes installed but I will need new connectors and hoses, But they don't stock those and wanted another $75 for the connectors. I went to the AC Delco store in town and they can have a new core with tubes installed and the proper connectors with hoses for only $68 and they will have it by noon tomorrow.
If you own a Colorado and the heater core starts leaking, Sell the thing in the summer !!!!!!!
If I was a drinking man !!! I would ..................
Thanks for the info Vile !!! I owe you one !!
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No prob, did you read the bulletin I sent you? Electrolysis and dexcool on these are an epidemic.
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I did ! I will look into that before re-filling.
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It took me 40 minutes to get the heater core out of the truck cab sitting in my driveway. Itll probably take me an hour to get the one out of my trucm because of the wheel well.
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vile i have heard mixed opinions with electrolysis and dex. i take it you believe there is a problem there? i know my 04 impala hasnt leaked yet but it only has 70k i know there are some impalas that do leak. its almost like there is a 50% chance of them leaking. then gm and their intake problem some linked that to the dex cool others said it was just bad design. but if other companies are having the same problem and the only thing linked is the coolant. but whats the currant mechanics rate 90$/hr thats over 1k in labor then thats not the price of the core. just to replace the core
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When they built this truck they started with the heater core.
I can remember working on some imports with my dad (he was an old school mechanic from the 40's to the 80's) and he used to say "Somebody held this bolt up and then they built the car around it...Now it the first one I gotta take out!"
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Try taking a ford station wagon heater core out, you will never do it twice.
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vile i have heard mixed opinions with electrolysis and dex. i take it you believe there is a problem there? i know my 04 impala hasnt leaked yet but it only has 70k i know there are some impalas that do leak. its almost like there is a 50% chance of them leaking. then gm and their intake problem some linked that to the dex cool others said it was just bad design. but if other companies are having the same problem and the only thing linked is the coolant. but whats the currant mechanics rate 90$/hr thats over 1k in labor then thats not the price of the core. just to replace the core
Electrolysis is no myth. I've posted on here before with all of the details if you search it but you can easily check for it with a volt meter. It's part of my safety check list I created so every student who performs a safety check must also check for electrolysis.
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A few anecdotal stories to cheer you up:
One of my buddies has a 2001 Dodge 3500, he replaced the dash with a new dash (they're notorious for cracking). The whole dash assembly has to come apart to replace the upper piece. Several months after replacing the dash the heater core went out! So everything comes back out again...
Another buddy has a 2000 Dodge 3500 he uses to pull his race cars. For whatever reason he chose to use hose clamps at the connection under the dash. Bolted everything back together, started it and found he had forgot to tighten the hose clamps!
I helped a friend this summer with a 2003 F-150, I told him we could replace the heater core, but it would take at least a full day to do the job. He didn't have the money or time to replace the heater core, plus it was summer. So I helped him bypass the heater core, well it's now getting time for a heater... The other day I half jokingly suggested he buy one of those hot-rod heater setups and forget about the in dash heater (I was only half joking).
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Well just to let yawl know ! I now have a new style heater core. Only problem is I have no new connectors to go with it. The AC Delco man said that the new core had the complete kit in the box, After looking in 2 of the box's and finding no connectors, they told me the connectors would have to come from the dealer. And the dealer don't stock them !!!!
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I love my old trucks! LOL
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Lets hope the 2011 1500's are not like this !! If I had known this 2 weeks ago I might have gone with another brand.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/2011%204x4/IMG_0212.jpg)
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I think that whether Dodge, Chevy, GMC or Ford; one is probably doomed to an impossibly difficult when it comes to replacing a heater core.
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I would really like to know how much time was involved.
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I got just over 8 hrs in it now and I haven't started re-assembling yet. Still waiting for parts.
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So if you are a flat rate tech this is a 6 hour job. You're already working for free lol. Do you have pics of the connections at the core or the core inlet/outlet tubes?
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Dorman to the rescue
Click Here (http://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearch.aspx?q=inmeta:year%3D2005+inmeta:make%3DCHEVROLET%2520TRUCK+inmeta:model%3DCOLORADO%253A%2520Z85+inmeta:engine%3DL5%2520%252D%25203%252E5L%2520%2528211%2520CID%2529%253A%2520GAS%253A%2520FI%253A%2520N%253A%25206+inmeta:parttype%3DHVAC%2520Heater%2520Hose%2520Connector&dnavs=inmeta:year%3D2005+inmeta:make%3DCHEVROLET%2520TRUCK+inmeta:model%3DCOLORADO%253A%2520Z85+inmeta:engine%3DL5%2520%252D%25203%252E5L%2520%2528211%2520CID%2529%253A%2520GAS%253A%2520FI%253A%2520N%253A%25206+inmeta:parttype%3DHVAC%2520Heater%2520Hose%2520Connector&type=parttype)
(http://www.dormanproducts.com/images/Product/icon/800-403-007.JPG)
(http://www.dormanproducts.com/images/product/icon/800-403-001.JPG)
(http://www.dormanproducts.com/images/product/icon/800-411-007.JPG)
(http://www.dormanproducts.com/images/product/icon/800-411-001.JPG)
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Flat Rate !!! HAHAHAHAHHA The dealer said it was a 12-13 hr job. The old core had one small fitting and one large. The new core has both tubes the same size. The old fittings were like you posted. However the new fittings have a wire that slides into the fitting to hold it in place. I will take some photos when I go back out to the shop. I have a diabetes class tomorrow, so it will be Friday before I get started putting it back in.
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Are you ready for this?
Labor Skill Level Mfg.Warranty Standard
Heater Core
Replace B 4.0 5.9
Does Not Include: Refrigerant Recovery Or Evacuate & Recharge AC System.
So 5.9 hours plus 1.4 to service the AC
4 hours warranty time!
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I'm sure if I had the proper instructions I could have been quicker with it. I have those now thanks to you !!!!! I feel it will go back together much quicker. I never worked for flat rate and never will.
Thanks again Vile !!!
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Lets hope the 2011 1500's are not like this !! If I had known this 2 weeks ago I might have gone with another brand.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/2011%204x4/IMG_0212.jpg)
X2..except the other brand part
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After seeing this I dont think I will buy a colorado!!
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this guy i know has a 2001 dodge 1 ton well he wasn’t even doing anything with it just driving and it decided it doesn’t want to run anymore and shuts off. so they all have their problems its just which ones have less
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Looks like fun. :-\
I had the same amount of fun with my 2000 GMC 1/2 ton. I had found some nice step by step instructions on the net that made it much easier. However, it still isn't something I would like to do if I don't have to.
The only luck I had was that my truck was a V6 and a manual transmission so the space under the hood was plentiful and my steering column had no shifter linkages.
But I also reused my connectors without any issue. I didn't know how to remove them from the metal lines of the heater core at first, so I cut the heater core lines and then figured out how to remove the couplers. They weren't leaking after I put the new unit back in. I drove the truck for another 5 months or so after that and had no issues.
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As of today the dash is back together !!! All thats left is 2 hose clamps (I ran out of clamps :o) on the new fittings, and refill the tank.
Vile I took photos of the fittings but left the camera in the shop. I will post them tomorrow.