What are the symptoms of a leaking heater core?

5 Signs Your Heater Core is Leaking

• Your Car Smells Sweet. You may notice a sweet smell from your vents.
• Your car windows become foggy.
• Your car is blowing cold air into the cabin.
• Your car is devouring coolant.
• Your car’s cabin is cold, but the engine is hot.

Can you use stop leak on a heater core?

We have the right solution for you. Our Bar’s Leaks Liquid Aluminum Heater Core Stop Leak is a one-of-a-kind solution that is guaranteed to safely and easily seal leaks in plastic, aluminum and metal radiators, heater cores, gaskets and freeze plugs.

Is it hard to replace a heater core?

When working properly, the heater core sends heat to the cabin. When it leaks, it must be replaced. Getting the job done ranges from easy to difficult, depending on the core’s location inside your car.

How do you diagnose a bad heater core?

There are several telltale signs that you’re experiencing a heater core problem:

1. You have little or no heat inside your car.
2. You smell coolant inside your vehicle.
3. Your windows fog up.
4. You see signs of a coolant leak under the dashboard.
5. Your coolant level is dropping, or your engine is running hot.

How long can you drive a car with a bad heater core?

You can still drive on with the condition; however, you should not, for a long time. The heater core uses the engine’s coolant, and a faulty heater core affects the cooling effect which then raises the temperature. Not curing the issue and continue to drive the vehicle this way can lead to further engine damage.

What is the cost to replace a heater core?

The average cost for heater core replacement is between $857 and $1,008. Labor costs are estimated between $578 and $730 while parts are priced at $278. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Can a Subaru coolant conditioner cause a leak?

We have seen quite a few vehicles with multiple doses of the “Subaru coolant conditioner” end up with restricted radiator creating over heating situations ultimately damaging the head gaskets and having an internal leak ( typically around 150k).

Why should you never use Stop Leak in your Subaru?

The radiator was over 60% restricted after installation of the stop leak by another repair shop to the point where the vehicle overheated where as it never had any overheating problems prior to the stop leak being introduced into the cooling system.

Why do you need a radiator in a Subaru?

The car now needs a radiator, head gaskets, attempt to clean or replace the cylinder heads, most likely a engine block, all cooling system hoses and a heater core. A very unfortunate set of circumstances. As soon as the Technician removed the upper radiator hose we knew it was going to be bad.