1995 Pontiac Grand Am: heater or radiator coil repair?

DURKM

MEMBER
1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM

Engine running while in parking lot, heard "psshh" sound resulting in large watery/liquid leak on ground (smelled a bit like burning rubber). Car was able to restart/drive onto tow truck. Seemed like radiator hose leak, but garage diagnosed heater coil needed replacement - approx 7-hr job, $700-800. Based on limited description, does diagnosis and repair estimate seem inline?

5 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Did you get antifreeze on the floor inside the car? A bad core will steam your windows and leak on the passenger side rug! Some cars require you to completely remove the dash, most shops will charge up to 1000.00 if that's the case.

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Monday, October 15th, 2007 AT 2:53 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

They got their parts and labor guide quote certain vehicle requires that long to get in/replace/reinstallation process for the heater core.

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Monday, October 15th, 2007 AT 2:54 PM

DURKM

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3 POSTS

Thanks to merlin2021 and rasmataz for such quick responses and suggestions. There was no leak inside the car, thank goodness. Had no idea the repair might entail removing the dash. Thanks again.

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Monday, October 15th, 2007 AT 2:59 PM

JONESJT

MEMBER
7 POSTS

The 1995 may be different, but on my 93 Grand Am SE the heater core is contained in a sealed box with an overflow spout routed through the firewall. As such, if the heater core fails, the coolant does not leak inside, but pours out of the engine compartment near the firewall. In the 93, the dashboard doesn't have to be removed, but the center console and under-dash panels do. This job was a pain (literally), but saved me $700 as opposed to doing it at the shop. The heater core itself costs $50.

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Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 AT 8:02 AM

MERLIN2021