Heater core leak

[dlinden200]

I have antifreeze dripping from the weep tube on the right engine firewall.
I did a search and found a few others that had to have heater core replaced, but under warranty. Mine expired 8000 miles ago.
The shop says 8.2 hours at $135/ hour. Entire dash has to be removed.
I did find steps for removal on 'justanswers.com'.
I'm a teacher and have the summer off, so have the time to do myself and I don't have an extra $1300.
Desperatly seeking advice.

Dan

[H3slate]

Is it leaking into the passenger cabin or into the engine bay?

[dlinden200]

Leaking out the firewall. A drain hole right above the right exhaust manifold.
Nothing inside, yet.
But my antifreeze resevoir tank is about empty and engine is running hotter.
Think I'll fill the resevoir.
But I talked to dealer and they assured me its a leaking heater core.
They said heater core is built inside an enclosure that is designed to leak out this hole instead of the interior.

[H3slate]

Ok, thanks, this is the same drain hole that normally just drips water when running the ac.

[Yarjammer]

If the warranty is up I'd get a quote/second opinion from an independant shop.

I replaced the heater core on my '00 Dodge Ram and regretted every minute of it (all 270 of 'em that didn't include drinking beer). It can be done by yourself, but if you can afford to have someone else do it I would. I would reccommend getting someone to help out or at least be available as a tool jockey/dash holder/beer getter.

[pdsq99f4]

I'd do it for half that price, but you are kind of far away.

[dlinden200]

Thanks for the response from a few of you.
I did get a second quote. It was $800. It was from another GM dealer. They said 6 hours at $105/hour. The first quote was 8.2 hours at $135/hour.
??????

But I have been doing some research, and I am going to tackle it myself.
I am a teacher so I have the time now.
I really can't afford the money. (long story..just moved......)
Going to wait till Monday to start.
I know its going to suck removing the dash (really its called an instrument panel assembly. What we normally call the instrument panel is really called the instrument panel cluster). ((I will probably be calling it the instrument panel cluster F***))
See..I have been researching.

Dan

[H3slate]

Good luck! Post some pics of the tear down of your "dash".