maremrak Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 How hard is to replace Radiator and the Heater Core on 1995 STS, and how much it can cost? I have to see my mechanic on Saturday and want to get prepared. Any input appreciated. 1960 Sedan De Ville (sold) 1970 Coupe De Ville (sold) 1987 Mazda RX-7 (sold) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fred Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I've always known heater cores to be a ***** to replace and radiators are easy to replace.. as far as I've ever known. MerryChristmas Be a Capitalist or work for one. Work for a Capitalist or be one. MerryChristmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maremrak Posted October 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I'll let you know once my mechanic replaces it on Saturday. The Heater Core is only $34 so I guess for such a cheap part it should not take more then an hour to do the job. But, I could be wrong. 1960 Sedan De Ville (sold) 1970 Coupe De Ville (sold) 1987 Mazda RX-7 (sold) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 It is probably easier to replace the radiator than the heater core. I would say the heater core will take as much as twice the time you spend on the radiator replacement. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fred Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I'll let you know once my mechanic replaces it on Saturday. The Heater Core is only $34 so I guess for such a cheap part it should not take more then an hour to do the job. But, I could be wrong. Well a timing belt costs $49 for my ex wifes chinese car and the labor is $339 The water pump was $40 and the labor was about the same I made her do both of them when the belt went and I paid for it Well I paid 200 to have it done MerryChristmas Be a Capitalist or work for one. Work for a Capitalist or be one. MerryChristmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Actually the heater core is easy to replace it comes out through the glove compartment, it is NOT as involved as it used to be, where the HVAC unit needed to come out. A radiator at the dealer can be an expensive proposition. This is a 4.9 but see Post #38 in this thread it will give you an idea of cost: http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...11176&st=30 I'll let you know once my mechanic replaces it on Saturday. The Heater Core is only $34 so I guess for such a cheap part it should not take more then an hour to do the job. But, I could be wrong. Try not to think of repairs this way. My Deville needs an Input Speed Sensor, the sensor is $49..... The cost to install? $1400 to $1500... The dealer allots 12 hours labor for the job... Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fred Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Is the heater core easy to change on the 4.5 and 4.9 now? Good to know if so.. they use to be a real bummer of a job! The radiator on the 4.9 is a piece of cake to do yourself! I usually go to the radiator shop and they put a new tank on there for $40 or $60 I've never had one cost over $60 to fix before. Over $100 an hour would make me spit nails and turn red and fiery MerryChristmas Be a Capitalist or work for one. Work for a Capitalist or be one. MerryChristmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Actually the heater core is easy to replace it comes out through the glove compartment, it is NOT as involved as it used to be, where the HVAC unit needed to come out. A radiator at the dealer can be an expensive proposition. This is a 4.9 but see Post #38 in this thread it will give you an idea of cost: http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...11176&st=30 I'll let you know once my mechanic replaces it on Saturday. The Heater Core is only $34 so I guess for such a cheap part it should not take more then an hour to do the job. But, I could be wrong. Try not to think of repairs this way. My Deville needs an Input Speed Sensor, the sensor is $49..... The cost to install? $1400 to $1500... The dealer allots 12 hours labor for the job... Mike, It might be tougher on earlier Cadillacs, but I would not say that was easy on my 4.9. You still have to play with the hoses on the heater core (not easy to reach for), remove all the computers, cover, heater core and put everything back. It is not easy to position your body so that you could do the job comfortably enough. The radiator is straight forward. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Is the heater core easy to change on the 4.5 and 4.9 now? Good to know if so.. they use to be a real bummer of a job! The radiator on the 4.9 is a piece of cake to do yourself! I usually go to the radiator shop and they put a new tank on there for $40 or $60 I've never had one cost over $60 to fix before. Over $100 an hour would make me spit nails and turn red and fiery Fred the car in question is a 95 STS, the radiator is also easy. Tank? On the 4.9 there is no tank, its a reservoir. A radiator can cost from $150 to $350 depending on OEM, aftermarket, dealer prices, etc. Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maremrak Posted October 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I wish I could find some information on labor hours needed for any type of mechanical works on our cars. Is there such book? 1960 Sedan De Ville (sold) 1970 Coupe De Ville (sold) 1987 Mazda RX-7 (sold) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I'm sure there is. That is how the dealer figures labor rates. Helm does not seem to carry the manual. I would have thought they would. Might be cost prohibitive if you can find one though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAUL T Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 A dealer quoted me $600 labor to replace my heater core in my 92 Deville. It was 8 hours labor. The core price was about what you were quoted. www.helminc.com has the manual you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 When replaceing heater core, make sure you are patient and you have the right core. The nipples need to be the same as the original or you will break the plasic housing on fire wall trying to put hoses on, because there will not be enough room. This is what I did, it wasn't untill the end of the job I figured this out. And do the job in the daylight. I finished mine at night and ended up jaming the heater core in a little, broke some fins and plastic housing, and wrenched my back. Just work very slow. Yes it is behind glove box and it swings out once you have screws loose. Ther are many wires you need to move the core around ,be carefull, good luck Larry ps you will need allen wrench to pull the glove box out once you move outside screws. The hex screws are inside glove box and you will need to take air bag wire off box, or disconnect batt. and disconnect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maremrak Posted October 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Here is the report from Saturday job: -New Radiator, Upper and Lower Hose, Thermostat (took over 2 hours to replace all) -New Heater Core (another 2 hours) Heater Core was not that difficult to replace. It will come out under the glove compartment and the major pain was to hook up the two hoses that go under the hood on the other side of the glove compartment. I got the thermostat without the rubber O ring from Rockauto.com so be careful if you order one from them. You better ask if it comes with it. The old O ring was in good shape so I re-used it. Over all, it took my mechanic some 5 hours to do the whole job, and it made me lighter $300. The parts itself (all from Rockauto) was another $250. I must say he was against the tablets, but I convince him to put them into the lower hose anyway. He said that tablets will clog my Heater Core again. I must admit, for a split second I had a second thought about putting the tablets, but at the end decided to trust this message board that saved me so many times already. Now I finally have Heat coming out of the lower vents. The last winter I was freezing, not anymore. 1960 Sedan De Ville (sold) 1970 Coupe De Ville (sold) 1987 Mazda RX-7 (sold) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 He said that tablets will clog my Heater Core again. Another myth. If that were the case, GM would never have used them in the first place, or would have stopped using them and all GM cars would have clogged heater cores. Where do these guys come up with this stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 And if you get 12 years out of it BEFORE you need to replace it you are thrilled. Would you rather replace a heater core or the head gaskets? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 He said that tablets will clog my Heater Core again. Another myth. If that were the case, GM would never have used them in the first place, or would have stopped using them and all GM cars would have clogged heater cores. Where do these guys come up with this stuff? Ditto! GM recommends tablets be used to check minor cooling system leaks. Other sealants can be used, but I believe the recommended sealer is tablets. I've not heard of clogging associated with sealers that are designed to be left in the system. However, block and head gasket sealers which are not suppose to be left in can present a problem if they're not flushed according to manufactuer's instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fred Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Those tablets you have to use they clogged my core All I could find was BARS tablets I'm not saying they caused the clog- there could have been a pre-existing clog in the core which would of course trap the bars particles. PS: Had a scare when I was flushing my core I saw WATER INSIDE THE CAR thankfully it got in through the firewall and didn't come from the core. I think the core in my 90 is a whore to change. MerryChristmas Be a Capitalist or work for one. Work for a Capitalist or be one. MerryChristmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maremrak Posted October 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Just when I thought that I will be relieved for a while I got Message "Very Low Refrigerant - A/C Compressor Off" while driving back from work tonight and there is some funny smell inside the cabin (is Freon dangerous if inhaled?). The AC system feels loose on touch. It looks like my mechanic fixed one thing but damaged another. I re-charged the AC last year and there were no leaks at that time. Can it be that something got disconnected and that Freon is leaking? I do not have much experience with AC. Any input appreciated. 1960 Sedan De Ville (sold) 1970 Coupe De Ville (sold) 1987 Mazda RX-7 (sold) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Just when I thought that I will be relieved for a while I got Message "Very Low Refrigerant - A/C Compressor Off" while driving back from work tonight and there is some funny smell inside the cabin (is Freon dangerous if inhaled?). The AC system feels loose on touch. It looks like my mechanic fixed one thing but damaged another. I re-charged the AC last year and there were no leaks at that time. Can it be that something got disconnected and that Freon is leaking? I do not have much experience with AC. Any input appreciated. Start a new thread with this issue. KHE (Kevin) is the AC guy and I am sure he will help out with this, Mike Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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