Heater core replacement ! OMG !!

[Toolmaster]

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

5 hrs got me here !!!

See more photos at this link http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/tmtoolman/Colorado%20heater%20core/

[Captkaos]

They build the Colorados around the heater core, huh?

[autorepr]

Don't stop now, your almost there!!!!!!!!

[Toolmaster]

Its out !!!

[VileZambonie]

I don't miss doing them!

[Captkaos]

And people complain about 73-87's, HA!  That is CRAZY!

[VileZambonie]

Believe me, there's worse! Much Worse!

[Captkaos]

I hear F-bodies are a nightmare.

[Toolmaster]

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 !!

[VileZambonie]

No prob, did you read the bulletin I sent you? Electrolysis and dexcool on these are an epidemic.

[Toolmaster]

I did !  I will look into that before re-filling.

[1979C20]

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.

[Irish_Alley]

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

[thirsty]

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!"

[bake74]

     Try taking a ford station wagon heater core out, you will never do it twice.