Hello all,

Well my heater core has started leaking :P
Getting the smell, dampness and film that makes driving a bit of a hazard.
I too have been quoted massive amounts to have it repaired.

I was wondering what the O Ring size is so i can have a go at doing this myself??

Cheers.

I haven't done the core-replace thing myself, but I think getting the seals as Spare Parts from Mitsi would be the go - they are not (to my understanding) the general black/floppy o-ring, but rather a ring-shaped seal (two needed) and only a few dollars from the parts counter.

It is certainly in your ability to do the job yourself, just that getting access to the core (and more importantly room to move the core to allow swapping seals) needs lots of "stuff" dismantled and the dash either moved back or removed.

Search will probably find older threads with more info, maybe even some "how to" instructions, possibly pics.

I just had a similar problem (except it turned out my heater core was actually stuffed). I got quotes of $800 upwards, some of those PLUS parts.
Rang Mal, got a quote of $550 if the lot had to be replaced, or $350 if it's just a leak. Obviously driving with the leak is not good at all, because your heater core seats above your ECU and also your SRS control unit (in my TF anyway). My SRS ended up being fried, and I was incredibly lucky to not have my ECU go as well as it was covered in coolant.
Obviously you live in NSW so it's hard for you to see him :(

What I would advise is that you bypass your heater core so that you don't risk ruining your ECU (big bucks if that goes).
It's actually pretty easy to do, I've never touched an engine in my life and I managed to do it. Basically, at the back of the engine bay there will be two pipes that disappear into the firewall (they run to the heater core).
Do this:
- follow the bottom pipe from the firewall back the engine, and remove it from the engine.
- remove the top pipe from the firewall, and then curl it back around, and attach it to the engine.
So it will change from this:
ENGINE----PIPE----HEATER CORE----PIPE----ENGINE
To this:
ENGINE----PIPE----ENGINE

All this will mean is that you don't have a heater (which shouldn't matter this time of year :D).
Pulling out the dash is a HUGE job. I was there when Mal did it and (kind of) helped him out. And it is pretty confusing and there are a LOT of different types of screws that you need to remember where they came from and what they attached haha.
But good luck!

Thanks for the info guys - will go check in at the local Mits.

I keep the seals in stock here if you are planning on doing this tomorrow

Now you do realise that the complete dash needs to come out and that is just for starters. I did also do a DIY ages ago if you go for a looksee around

Thats a great price from Mal as Mitsubishi here in Brisbane quoted me $1000 plus. I did it myself and it's a big job. In the end it cost me $2.66 for parts. Still have the reciept.

I keep the seals in stock here if you are planning on doing this tomorrow

Now you do realise that the complete dash needs to come out and that is just for starters. I did also do a DIY ages ago if you go for a looksee around

The search function doesn't seem to work.

Yes - I looked for the DIY as well and couldn't find anything.

Looking for some more help - I have all of the stuff out of the dash and am just up to getting the actual dash part out. (#20 in the manual - Instrument Panel.)

I have gotten all 8 bolts out - but when i try to lift the dash out - it seems to be stuck in the middle somewhere??

What direction do in need to pull/ lift to get it out - or what am i missed here?

Cheers.

didn't remove A pillar trim - all out - now the heater core.