The dreaded Heater core replacement

[chevrol8t]

My 2000 Tahoe I purchased needs a new heater core. I knew it was like that when I purchased it but living in AZ it was no big deal-however- I will be driving back to NC to see family in October and would like to get this out the way. I know how difficult and the nightmares that come with changing out the heater core but I am about as ready to tackle it vs paying the 1100 dollars quoted to have a repair center do the work.

Once again, I understand the level of difficulty, I need to have the A/C reclaimed and the time. So my question is. Once I get into this thing, what other bits should I change while I'm in there?

Thanks!

 

[AH64Medic]

You can do mine too when you are done! On a side note, while I got to redoing my AC I thought about just utilizing my rear heat. That job is just way too much for me to want to deal with. Maybe one day. Good luck with it!

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

HAHAHAHA "Attack of the heater core" i live in az to and i bypassed mine last summer wich like you said no big deal here in arizona untill i had to go to tucson for a couple days in january

 

[AH64Medic]

Mine too is bypassed. Driving to PT at 4am can get pretty cold in the winter months. I keep a blanket in my suburban to keep warm! Luckily winter only lasts so long.

 

[chevrol8t]

Ok I know it's been last month since I first posted but I have some good news! The heater core is fine! When I first purchased the Tahoe the last owner had the core bypassed. Well after flushing the core out (a crap ton of sand and grit came out since the core was not plugged) I plugged the lines back up and tested the core. Sure enough it leaked but the leak was not coming from the heater core. It was coming from those notorious GM quick disconnects! One of the connector was so brittle that when I went to remove one of the hoses. The QD fell right apart!

Removed the remaining disconnect and plugged the hoses straight to the heater core. Leak gone!

I suspect that when the previous owner seen the leak and the anti-freeze steam it did not dawn on him to check to see if the interior floor was wet and that it was coming from the connector and not the heater core itself!

Hell of bullet I just dodged...for now.