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98 cavalier, heater cores keep leaking, 3rd one this year
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amuck10
New User
Nov 6, 2008, 8:58 AM
Post #1 of 2
(2013 views)
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98 cavalier, heater cores keep leaking, 3rd one this year
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Hello,
Sorry that this is so long, but I really don’t know what is relevant and what isn’t, so I am telling you everything. I have a 1998 Chevy cavalier which started having cooling issues last December. Coolant was leaking and the engine temperate was really hot. I took it to a nationwide chain repair shop. First, they said it was the water pump, and the replaced it, there was no change. Then the said it must be the ecm and the replaced that (turning my car into a giant paperweight and having to have it towed to the dealer) Anyway, that didn’t help either. So then they said it was my heater core. I agreed to let them try again because they offered me a discount because of the previous 2 repairs that made no difference and leaving me without a car for a week until the dealership got it running again. When they replaced the heater core, the leaks and cooling issues stopped…for about 4 months. Then the heater core started leaking coolant again (well more like pouring). This repair was 100% in warranty. Ran great for about 4 months. It just started pouring water again. Anyway the shop is covering the part in warranty again but not the labor, but I still feel like I’m stuck with them rather than paying full price. Do you have any idea what could cause a car to go through 3 heater cores in 10 months? I am hoping you can give me advice on what to have them check.
Also, there are 2 other things that may or may not have anything to do with anything:
1st. My check engine light has been on for about a year. The first 2 repairs, they couldn’t figure out why. At the third, they said my oil sensor was leaking onto my timing sensor. The fixed the leak but said I didn’t really need the sensor, so the light is still on.
2nd Since they replaced my water pump, I sometimes hear a sound when I am starting my car that sounds like sucking a mix of liquid and air through a straw. Like when your kid is at the bottom of the soda but keeps sucking on that straw making those gurgling type noises. I can’t make the car do it, I have no idea when it will, and everyone else thinks I am a little insane.
Thanks in advance for you help and any advice at all is appreciated,
Rachel
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 6, 2008, 2:28 PM
Post #2 of 2
(2003 views)
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Re: 98 cavalier, heater cores keep leaking, 3rd one this year
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Rachel; First, I'd say to find another repair shop. With that said; Could be poor installation (heater hoses 'pulling' on heater core..the core tubes are rather fragile) or poor quality heater cores. You should not be paying any labor for this replacement. The repair shop can file a labor claim with their supplier. The ECM? Hmmmm. Well, if the cooling fan wasn't coming on, maybe? I hate to even suggest this, but, a leaking head gasket can cause excessive system pressure; But, don't have that same shop check it. The "gurgling" noiseyou describe could be an air pocket in the heater core. Once it's fixed and the system bled, that should go away. Get another shop to check it. If the oil pressure sending unit was leaking, yes it should be replaced. But the other sensor? You mentioned 'timing' sensor?
Crank sensor, maybe? That would have nothing to do with your heating problem.
The "Check Engine" should be addressed. It could be something very minor or NOT. You just don't know. Again, I'd have a different shop check it out.
Loren
SW Washington
(This post was edited by landdchamploren on Nov 6, 2008, 2:35 PM)
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