repairs:(

[katelyn]

Great, now I have to buy a new heater core, ugh, which puts off my escape from snow for another month....I just gotta stay positive and hang on a little longer I guess.<br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

sorry to hear this, katelynn. i know the feeling i've being hunkered down in the snow, waiting to escape. stay warm!

 

[akrvbob]

Repairs on the truck are one of my worst fears. We love our rigs that give us such wonderful lives and when they break it really hurts. Every so often I give my F150 a pat on the hood and thank it for its faithful service.&nbsp; Yes, I am a little crazy, but I suggest when the van comes back you give it a little hug! It can't hurt and we already know you are crazy!! Bob <br>

 

[Guest]

I don't know what you're driving, but heater cores are cheap.
$30 - $40, a couple gallons of antifreeze $14 and maybe a couple of small hose clamps $2. Depending on the vehicle and how much of a PITA it is to get to... there's your cost - in labor.
Could always just do it yourself. It ain't rocket science and you don't need any special tools. You were anywhere near SWFL, I'd do it for you.
Hope you find someone to give you a break on the labor cost <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Les H]

Katelyn, sorry to hear of your troubles. I hesitated posting at first, as I don't want to be the bearer of bad news. When the heater core went on my 98 jeep grand Cherokee, I was told it would be $ 5-600, with the parts being $280 and 6-7 hrs labor, NOT the ridiculously low 30-40 that was just posted above. The heater core is buried under the dash, requiring it to be removed. In addition, the AC unit was part of it, meaning the refrigerant needed to be bled out and captured, disconnected, and recharged after the core was put in. On top of everything else, if air gets trapped in it during the process, it can be a nightmare "burping" it out. The Hayes manual I bought for the jeep ( similar to a chiltons manual) said that this was in no way recommended for backyard mechanics. I have done tons of smaller work, have a bunch of tools, and have been in the building trades for 26 years. I didn't do mine, as a mater of fact, I got tired of dumping money into it and traded it in. It's great that someone
will volunteer go help out, but be wary of " if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"
Les

 

[cyndi]

Sorry you're having problems Katelyn and doubly sorry you've got to delay your escape!<br><br>I'm with Bob!&nbsp; I know "Blue" appreciates a kind word and a frequent pat or a hug!&nbsp; A little molly-coddlin' goes a long way!<br>

 

[Guest]

It totally depends on the vehicle but some are as difficult as Les says and some not so bad. I have had to remove entire dash on some vehicles and have been able to reach others by removing some of the dash fascia only. More and more it is as Les describes and the labor will eat you up.<br>I think "Unregistered" is talking about trucks from the 1980's and&nbsp; earlier.<br>AstroBri<br><br>

 

[Guest]

<font face="Tahoma">"Unregistered" and a few others specifically said: the major cost is the LABOR, and the Labor Cost is directly related to the Type of vehicle and how Difficult the heater core is to get to.</font><br><font face="Tahoma">I only work on GM vehicles, '65 to '98 but none of them are anywhere near the nightmare or repair costs Jeep Guy mentions.</font> <br><font face="Tahoma">You can at least save yourself the 20% part markup by going to AutoZone, Advanced Auto, PepBoys (etc) and buying your own heater core.</font> <font face="Tahoma">Get one at NAPA if you like to spend money.<br>Ask around. You might have friends or relatives or neighbors who can fix it for you, or they might know someone. It's also worth looking on or posting on, Craigslist for an out of work mechanic who could use the money and will work flat fee. That way you aren't paying insane hourly shop fees. Skip the backyard mechanics and find one who's certified.<br></font><br>

 

[Tara]

It's an Astro, right? Definitely hard to get to...

 

[katelyn]

<font size="4"><font size="3">wow, I completely forgot about this topic I started!! Sorry, I've been spaced out lately<img src="images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">.&nbsp; <br> &nbsp;So, I didn't have to get a heater core after all!&nbsp; I took it to a mechanic and they flushed the system and put in the 2nd thermostat (first one was a dudd that a friend of a friend put in, I'm sticking to certified mechanics from now on).&nbsp; I got an oil change, coolant flush, brakes were checked and in great condition, new wipers, and a bunch more other stuff I can't remember.&nbsp; <br> &nbsp; Looks like I am leaving Michigan in April, it was suppose to be March, but what's one more month right? Actually, when I get on the highway here, I pretend I'm leaving the state and I get butterflies!&nbsp; I'm a nerd!<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; I want to make sure I have enough money saved up for gas since my first destination is going to be New Mexico. I can't wait!!!!!!&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br></font></font>

 

[VanFan]

Good news!&nbsp; Thanks for the update, and happy travels!<br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P><b><FONT size=3>thank God for good news.&nbsp; think of me when in New Mexico, absolutely love it.&nbsp; Where you stopping at first?&nbsp; Are you going to be blogging?</FONT></b></P>

 

[katelyn]

I am going to drive as much as possible to get to New Mexico from Michigan, google says it takes 1 day and 1 hour, but I'm a slow driver and I'm not in any hurry. <br>&nbsp; My first destination will be Taos, I've been looking at the NM BLM campsites and that is the closest to the eastern border so I'll stay there and relax a bit from the long drive.&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; About blogging, I would like to but I have no idea how to do it. I guess I can look it up one of these days here, I've just been scatter brained from dreaming of getting out of here.&nbsp; And it was freezing rain last night here and now there is lots of snow in the forecast, ugh!&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;Hurry up May I'm ready!!!!!!!<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>

 

[oldnjung]

Katelynn,<br>Lots of places for cheap overnight camping around Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, TX.&nbsp; The canyon is pretty awsome if you have time and if its not out of the way.&nbsp;Best of Luck! jbandh&nbsp;<br>

 

[katelyn]

cool! I'll check it out<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>