GM Truck Heater-Core Replacement

[walker1818]

Hi all, just found out the heater core in my truck is on its last leg. My truck is a 2000 silverado half ton with the 5.3l vortec. Wondering where is the best place to get it replaced in the Edmonton area. I know it is quite a labor intensive job to replace and would like to know where it can be replaced at a fair price.

[Foot Stomper]

Pric out the heater core and consider doing it yourself....its just screws and bolts.
Seriously, it's not that hard to do.

[pgavey]

You say It is on its last leg, Is it leaking? or just not heating up?
If it is not heating, back flow flushing will probably fix it.
OLD SCHOOL FIX

[walker1818]

Originally Posted by pgavey

You say It is on its last leg, Is it leaking? or just not heating up?
If it is not heating, back flow flushing will probably fix it.
OLD SCHOOL FIX

I had it flushed a few months ago because there was not much heat and it worked better for a while, but now its started to smell like antifreeze when the heat is turned on. Brought it in and was told its the heater core

[sillyak]

Definitely the heater core. I did my own in a 2005 Blazer. It's about the perfect dyi job for a car owner, since it takes a long time, but isn't overly hard or technical.

A good price at a shop is probably $1000, the heater core itself is probably $150. Is 7-8 hours of your time worth $850?

[Rdamours]

I did the back flush on mine. Pulled the both lines off the pump and and flushed first with a bit of compressed air, some clr and water then immediately flushed with tons of water. I've got full heat back but don't have any leaking.

I've got 380000+ on her but didn't want to spend the money on the work. Bill at Premium automotive in Edmonton would be the only guy know to give an honest quote.

Check youtube for videos. It looks like you need to pull the whole dash apart to get at it.

[pgavey]

Yep if you smell antifreeze it's probably leaking. It should start to fog up your windshield also on the inside when on defrost if leaking. Sorry can't help you on where to take it.

[walker1818]

I was told the dash had to come out to get at it and was told it wasn't overly easy. Thanks for the replies Ill search Youtube, if i can do it myself its worth saving a few hundred dollars for sure.

[gmcmax05]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Pric out the heater core and consider doing it yourself....its just screws and bolts.
Seriously, it's not that hard to do.

Spoken like a guy that's never done one, on these trucks.
OP, about a 8 hr job if you know what your doing, the dash has to come out. If you have never done one, I couldn't tell you how long it might take. That's why it's a good idea to change your dexcool every 5 years to help prevent these type of failures.

[Freedom55]

I replaced the heater core in my 1979 Chev. pick-up last summer. No air conditioner. Fairly easy job as I have done it numerous in my past.

Changed the heater core in my 1981 Blazer with air. Should have done it when the front clip off as it was an ignorant job that I wished I had jobbed out.

Looked at how hard it would be to change on my 2005 Sierra and forget about it. And I have been restoring old Chevy trucks for 35 years. If I was a better reader I could swear that the OP wasn't looking for advice on how to do this job; he was looking for an inexpensive place to get it done.

Smart man.

[Rockyman41]

Originally Posted by gmcmax05

Spoken like a guy that's never done one, on these trucks.
OP, about a 8 hr job if you know what your doing, the dash has to come out. If you have never done one, I couldn't tell you how long it might take. That's why it's a good idea to change your dexcool every 5 years to help prevent these type of failures.

Yep, the dash has to come out, the a/c has to be disconnected, the whole heater box has to be removed. Not a diy job at all

[Kim473]

Originally Posted by sillyak

Definitely the heater core. I did my own in a 2005 Blazer. It's about the perfect dyi job for a car owner, since it takes a long time, but isn't overly hard or technical.

A good price at a shop is probably $1000, the heater core itself is probably $150. Is 7-8 hours of your time worth $850?

X2 - or more.

Check Utube though. Probably have to remove the whole dash. But at least you know how many bolts were not reinstalled when done.

[4thredneck]

Try Elk Island Mechanical in Lamont.

[gulfman]

Unless your a higher end DIY, definitely not a job that should be tackled. The first one for a licenced tech would probably take longer than flat rate would pay, Second or third one may be quicker. Hopefully someone can help you out with a shop to take it to..

[birdee]

chilton flat rate no ac 3.5
with ac 5.9 have to evac and recharge ac system
i think were $150 to recharge can remember been since summer
might be off alittle
want a real quote and book a time pm me .

[walker1818]

Thanks for the replies everyone, after watching some videos on youtube It looks too difficult of a job for me too handle. Sent you a PM birdee

[does it ALL outdoors]

Originally Posted by walker1818

Hi all, just found out the heater core in my truck is on its last leg. My truck is a 2000 silverado half ton with the 5.3l vortec. Wondering where is the best place to get it replaced in the Edmonton area. I know it is quite a labor intensive job to replace and would like to know where it can be replaced at a fair price.

Pm'd

[partsman]

On a gmc site I go on they show a trick where you access the bottom of the heater core housing. I am on my phone so don't know if I can link to it.

[Willowtrail]

Call the guys at integra tire in Sherwood park.

[.257Weatherby]

Originally Posted by walker1818

Hi all, just found out the heater core in my truck is on its last leg. My truck is a 2000 silverado half ton with the 5.3l vortec. Wondering where is the best place to get it replaced in the Edmonton area. I know it is quite a labor intensive job to replace and would like to know where it can be replaced at a fair price.

They got this thing called the Internet.
You can type in the name you tube .
Then type in your problem with your truck.
There are prolly ten thousand trucks just like yours.
I like to fix things myself, but usually end up fixing it till it is broke.
Learned long time ago not to take it to Crappy Tire unless I was 10 thousand miles from home and even then a GM dealership was a smarter choice cause they are usually 9999 miles from home.

Seriously, you tube your make model and problem.
Then go and see if you can see what the guy/gal is doing in the clip.
Can you now do it?

Still can't figure it out, find out who does the service work on the local police dept. vehicles.
They work faster smarter and have truck loads of experience in GM, Ford et all.

Open wallet, but as wide as you would at your friendly big shiny dealership...
A case of beer goes a lonoooong way afterwards too.

You can thank me later,
Rob

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Pric out the heater core and consider doing it yourself....its just screws and bolts.
Seriously, it's not that hard to do.

Really? Looked at doing it on my Ford . Some disassembly required, starting with the trim and the dash, followed by an equal amount of reassembly. Gotta wonder why thy have to make it so difficult, used to mount on the firewall.

Grizz