L Series Heater Core - Where to get a new one ??

dree · Post by **dree** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:34 pm

I replaced one in an 89 L about two years ago, Subaru stung me about $450 from memory. The problem with mine was the end caps were I guess perished and cracking, they are plastic. there are also two hoses on the inside of the fire wall, I have also had one of these leak.

You need to remove the whole dash to get them out.

I'll have a dig around for my old one and take some pics.

Wraith · Post by **Wraith** » Sat May 27, 2006 1:11 pm

i changed mine out in my L series 2 years ago as well.

Picked up a brand new one(but not genuine Subaru) from NatRad down here in melbourne after ringing around. Cost $215. with 12 month warranty. From memory, about have the price subaru docklands quoted me.....

That made me cry, for sure, but i cried alot more when i had to pull the dash of the firewall to be able to change the bugger!!!!!! Allow yourself a weekend if ya havent pulled a dash before, like me. I expect experienced folk could do it in 4 - 5 hours. I took my time about it!!!!

Havent had any problems since.

my 2 cents.

dree · Post by **dree** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:19 pm

Hey Wraith, the heater radiator you got from Natrad, was that a total new unit, or just a recored one with old end caps? Just wanna know because I have another car with a leaky one, don't fancy spending another $450 bucks.

I know you said it's was brand new, just clarifying?

Wraith · Post by **Wraith** » Sun May 28, 2006 8:53 am

hey dree

yep, brand new in vacuum wrap and box.

NOT recored. i confirmed this with them, and also my own eyes

this was an aftermarket part, not oem, you realize????

they threw in 2 x 1 litre bottles of coolant concentrate as well, cause the bloke felt sorry for me!!!!!! 8O

i ended up getting it, after an hour on the phone and head buried in the yellow pages, at NATRAD in i think, montmorency, maybe greensborough, down here in Vic.

hope this helps

bear in mind, that was 2 years ago

dree · Post by **dree** » Sun May 28, 2006 10:26 am

Thanks for that I'll check it out during the week.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:32 am

Hi guys,

Somewhat good news.....

I called my local NatRad (In Osborne Park Perth).
They can supply heater cores for L series.

Condition - Brand new, not refurbished
Type - Aftermarket, not genuine Subaru
Part number - IHC1005
Warranty - 12 months
Price - $305.00inc GST Supplied, not fitted

Might be worth getting one Jaffa - mabey they'll give us a discount if we both buy em at the same time!

Wraith · Post by **Wraith** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:18 pm

see i told ya!!!!!!

price has gone up somewhat tho.....

bugga

stamp_licker · Post by **stamp_licker** » Tue May 30, 2006 8:41 pm

thats good to hear my missus will be very happy.i want more power, she just wants a heater thats works.

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Tue May 30, 2006 11:02 pm

AndrewT wrote:Might be worth getting one Jaffa - mabey they'll give us a discount if we both buy em at the same time!

Go for 3!!, I am up for one too, just that the 2nd hand one out of that wreck might be alright for a while, but feel it would be better with a new one.
Except I am on the other side of the river/world from Osy Park.
I havent pursued this locally yet as I am not quite ready to do this job yet.

dree · Post by **dree** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:31 am

It seems prices vary allot, I just ordered one from:

Natrad Moorabbin
Thompson's Radiator Service 18 Keys Rd MOORABBIN
03 9555 5755

For $180 incl, also I checked 91 Liberty GX as I need one of those too, $260 incl.

Talk to Brad at the above number, he can get them over night, I guess he can ship interstate??

If he can't let me know, and I'll ship it for you. email me

andreas at pixelpoint.com.au

Thanks for the excellent tip Wraith

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:41 am

$180 wow, yeah that's definitely worth sending over.

I might do abit of a ring-around this morning and see if any places other that NatRad might do them too!

dree · Post by **dree** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:19 pm

Picked up the new heater core today, looks great, brass tanks instead of Plastic, should last longer, probably outlast the L series.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:58 pm

Mine was bypassed on the L when I got it, pulled the core and it was just the elbow hose leaking, quick trip to supacheap got it sorted out. Jus tmight be worth checking before forking out big dollars.....

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:53 pm

cool thats more like it

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:05 am

Thats great dree, I hope I can get one as good as that when I get round to that bit....probably over next summer LOL when I get round to it!

dree · Post by **dree** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 5:40 pm

You should do it now, it's not that hard in an L.

That core doesn't look that good in the picture, but it is actually brand new, and in perfect nick, they just don't clean and finish them after manufacture.

I took one out of a 92 Liberty GX today, what a frigin nightmare, and it turns out the one I got from Natrad is the wrong one, so the car is off the road till I can get it sorted.

Fun and games.

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:27 pm

I got one quote today for one locally - $280 including air freight from Canberra, the same - new, copper core with metal tanks. Going to ring around again.

Anyone in WA get a price thats better?

dree · Post by **dree** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:18 pm

Subanator,

What's your postcode, I'll get a quote on sending you the $180.00 one, shouldn't be more than $20 - $25 via AusPost on the slow boat.

I haven't put mine in yet, but I plan to over the next couple of days, I'd like to do that before ordering another one, considering the trouble I had with the Liberty one.

Dree

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:09 am

Hey thanks Dree, that would be great. Post code: 6173
Is that a copper core/brass tank one as a aftermarket replacement?
Or is the picture brass core/brass tanks? Looks almost original.

The original ones being brass core/plastic tanks (the weak spot).

dree · Post by **dree** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:13 pm

It's the after-market Natrad sourced copper core brass tank one, tell me have you got an original one to look at? I haven't pulled mine out yet, and it's been a couple of years since I saw one. If you do does the one in the picture look as if it'll fit?

I did an online postage calculation for up to 5Kg 30cm x 20cm x 30cm it came in at $19.55 I'll double check postage b4 giving you a final cost.

If you want to go ahead I'll check stock with Natrad and then PM you my bank details?

Dree