Heater core Removal

[snitz]

Can someone point me in the right direction on dash removal I have a leaky heater core any comment on the best place to get a replacement greatfully accepted.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Mate if you haven't heard already it's a pretty mammoth job. It requires most/all of the dashboard out so that you expose the engine firewall. New heater cores can be had wherever you get replacement parts; www.germanautoparts.com, www.ecstuning.com, a company called Tooley's here in NSW, or ASV, There's a place in South Yarra in Melbourne I think...there's heaps of places to get a replacement.

Not many people attempt the job though; it's usually left for a mechanic or someone who's willing to do it over a few days.

[DubSteve]

Wolfsburg motors have told me that they can do it for $500 and it will only take one day, these guys are good I'd go to them. Infact I did with my purple VR!

[Golf Loon]

snitz, welcome to the forum, use the search feature and you will find some hints on heater matrix replacement.

Here is one link I found. The you tube link is pretty awesome.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=19676&highlight=heater+core

It is a pretty epic job to change the heater matrix. $600-$1000 is the least you would be paying to get a workshop to do it. Its at least one full days work for a skilled bloke and much longer if you have never done one before.

The matrix is not expensive, but the labour and pain involved is.

Basically you need to take the whole dashboard out, the kneebar metal support behind it too and then the heaterbox, then reassemble in reverse order.

I run a workshop down at campbelltown and can help you with parts and or fitting if required.

Update your location in your profile and ask away with the questions, we are a friendly lot in the main.

[The_Hawk]

Wolfsburg motors have told me that they can do it for $500 and it will only take one day, these guys are good I'd go to them. Infact I did with my purple VR!

Mine got done for about $800 odd including the part. While it's possible to do it yourself, it is a tedious job that takes ages. This is what I posted in the other thread if you haven't seen it already:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=R1H_hXbfet4

Let me tell you, in winter it's the best $800 I ever spent, much like your AC on a hot day, it's something that is very nice to have.... Having said that, it's non essential so you can bypass it and live quite happily with nothing more than a wooly jumper

[snitz]

Thanks for your help.didnt mean to start a war!! I have some spanner skills and have done a 404 pug heater(nasty)just need some clues on where to start.fixing positions etc.cant afford to pay and have to do head gasket when I'm finished.While I'm here the Auto is lazy when cold any thoughts?

[Mrk_Mickey]

all wars settled mate, no problem

Mate I wish I had your courage, I'd love to do my headgasket...

What do you mean by ''auto is lazy''...do you mean the transmission itself? If so, I could only guess that it'd have to be something like oil level/quality before it warms up because if it's crap or low then it won't perform nicely until it's at peak operating temperature..

[DubSteve]

.While I'm here the Auto is lazy when cold any thoughts?

Autos are shyte and are very laggy. You will have to wait till the car warms up a bit first before taking off kinda standard with older cars these days.

[Golf Loon]

I thought you ran a wrecking yard ? If you run a workshop why isnt your business listed with the MTA ?

Thanks for caring. It is listed. we do new and used parts and all repairs.

all wars settled mate, no problem ..

Yup, all friends here (insert big gay hug here!)

[thestu]

i did it myself, took less than 4 hours and only cost what ever the heater core was... its really not too hard

[Spyda]

i did it myself, took less than 4 hours and only cost what ever the heater core was... its really not too hard

Everyone barred by the stu haha

Is it as hard in a mk2?

[Mrk_Mickey]

Everyone barred by the stu haha

Is it as hard in a mk2?

It'd be a similar thing, it just depends what is and isn't in the dash compared to the mk3 obviously. It'd still be a huge job.

[snitz]

Good to hear we're all friends again.The auto is slow to take up,like the clutch or whatever it has is not engaging.Going out to start dash.Let you know how it goes.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Good to hear we're all friends again.The auto is slow to take up,like the clutch or whatever it has is not engaging.Going out to start dash.Let you know how it goes.

Wow, gutsy as hell! good luck mate

[tommymac]

the mk3 is just two screws holding it into the HVAC unit. Mk2 is a tad harder i think