Signs of Heater Core Failure

[SHOntell]

Just had a question regarding the heater core. I am buying a gen 1 from a very respected SHO guy.
I took a friend with me last weekend to go for a test drive. The car started very well,ran very well, has great idle, oil pressure etc.

Q: My mechanically inclined friend noticed (but neglected to tell me until lastnight) that when the car start, the inside of the windshield developed some condensation on it. He said this is sometimes a sign of a heater core problem.
I know the car is in really nice shape, and has been sitting for a while, does sitting around lead to heater core probs because of the corrosive nature of coolant?

Do I have reason for concern?

Need feedback. I am going to get it tomorrow and what to know if I have reason for concern.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Rob94]

Does this condensation disappear as soon as the car warms up? Is there a sticky sweet smell of antifreeze in the passenger compartment?

 

[SHOntell]

I didn't notice any strange smells, neither did my friend. It did disappear and I actually didn't even notice.
How much does a heater core run if it does go??

Mike

 

[LaTechSHO]

the part....cheap... circa 30 bucks .... the labor... ridiculous..... probably the one thing on a car i truly HATE doing.... well two.. the evaporator core would be right up there with it wink

Louis

 

[DougLee25]

If you have someone do it for you, expect to pay somewhere between $500 to $600 dollars. The book quotes something like 7 hours. It's ashame the part costs like $45. I did mine myself. Took me about 6 or so. Have fun!

Doug

 

[SHOntell]

I know I couldn't do it myself, and don't want to shell out a ton of cash if it is the case.

So do I have a concern or should I not worry??

Mike

 

[JaySHOguy]

SHOntell:
I know I couldn't do it myself, and don't want to shell out a ton of cash if it is the case.

So do I have a concern or should I not worry??

Mike

I wouldn't worry about it, Mike. I think it was just some condensation that was caused by the car blowing a diff. temp air at the colder/warmer windshield. All my cars do it...

 

[c_olcott]

you should worry if when you run the heat water/coolant leaks on the passenger side behind the glove box

 

[91 SHOplus]

yeah, if the carpet is wet and smelly under the glove box you've got either HC problems, or incontinent passengers!

 

[Lurch]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it. The heater core in our '92 Ford Aerostar went out this summer, and it was very evident. Whether the A/C or heat was on or off, you could smell something a bit like maple syrup, and there was a sticky condensation on the windshield that would not evaporate when you finally did use the heat or A/C. The passenger side floor, under the floor mat, was also wet. It was about $200 total to fix, but of course this is a minivan not a SHO. In short, if the interior doesn't smell like antifreeze when the car is running, it isn't a worry as far as the heater core is considered. Yours just sounds like random condensation.