# Replacing a heater core **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** heating, mazda, miata\ **Created:** [December 28, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434 "2009-12-28T22:35:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mitchw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mitchw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mitchw)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/1 "2009-12-28T22:35:00Z")
I may need to replace the heater core on my 96 Miata. I can get a salvage core from a Miata warehouse, or get a new one from the dealer for 400+ dollars. What to do? I am also considering doing the replacement work myself due to the cost. Should I just pay the mechanic? ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/2 "2009-12-28T23:58:18Z")
The labor will be expensive, and not using the best core available might set you up for a repeat repair job later. I had the core replaced on a 1976 Ford Granada with A/C, and my mechanic friend said he would not ever want to do that again. The labor was about 9 hours. A Mitsubishi Montero needs to be virtually disassembled inside to replace the core; at least 10 hours of labor. It’s a job I would not dream of tackling myself. Budget $900-$1000 and get the job done right. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/3 "2009-12-29T00:01:38Z")
I am in agreement with Doc. While the price for the heater core sounds high to me, the fact remains that this is not a job that you would want to have to repeat, so cheaping out on the part is not a good idea. Incidentally–If you think that the parts price is high, wait until you see the labor cost, as this job requires removal of the entire dashboard on many cars. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/4 "2009-12-29T00:32:27Z")
I found a heater core for $100.00 at [http://www.car-stuff.com/mmparts/mazda-miata/heater\_core.html](http://www.car-stuff.com/mmparts/mazda-miata/heater_core.html). I’ve never purchased from them, so buyer beware. ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/5 "2009-12-29T04:21:06Z")
I have not had a Chinese heater core come back on me YET. Unless you plan to keep the car “forever” I’d go with the $100 core. Japan is a lot closer to China than the USA is. The one from the dealer may well be built by the same Chinese factory. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/6 "2009-12-29T05:21:30Z")
Salvage isn’t the best way to get a heater core. Old ones frequently leak when the heater hoses get changed. Used heater cores are not a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![Skypilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/skypilot/32/237_2.png) [@Skypilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Skypilot)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 6:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/7 "2009-12-30T06:09:53Z")
Have you tried to see what a radiator shop whould charge you to replace the core on it if it is replacable? When I worked at a radiator shop 30 years ago we use to replace the core cheaper then a new one. We would soldier the hose end tank and bottom end tank to the new core and pressure test it. Don’t know if this opption is fesable now. ---
**Author:** ![novafan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@novafan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/novafan)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/8 "2010-01-01T21:13:47Z")
At a minimum, the dash will have to be removed. This is not a “$100 tool set from O’Reilly and I’m ready to go” repair. ---
**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/9 "2010-01-01T23:30:02Z")
I agree that the job is difficult and expensive, however I have never heard of a heater core costing $400. I hope my 13 year old core holds up a little longer!! ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/10 "2010-01-02T00:26:30Z")
before you start tearing very expensive things apart, get a service manual and read the replacement procedure. Most PROFESSIONAL mechanics turn these jobs down and for good reason. Amateurs can really get themselves in a jam…The tricky part is getting everything to work correctly when you are done… ---
**Author:** ![steve\_jordan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@steve\_jordan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steve_jordan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-a-heater-core/41434/11 "2010-01-13T00:32:04Z")
Go to [miata.net](http://miata.net) and search heater core. You will find many solutions including step-by-step instructions. I recall Autozone or perhaps Advance had them for less than $150. It apparently can actually be changed out w/o removing the dash (instructions on [miata.net](http://miata.net)). This web site is the BEST source for all Miata questions. Good luck!!!