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barrie1
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« Reply #20 on: January 06, 2009, 11:42:31 pm » |
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$800. is very expensive for a heater core as I have never paid more then $100. myself for one. The one in my truck for example was only around $65.00 when I bought it 3 years ago approximately. AS I installed myself that part was free of course. 
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rrocket
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« Reply #21 on: January 06, 2009, 11:44:35 pm » |
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$800. is very expensive for a heater core
It's not the core that costs, it's the labour. On many newer cars, the heater core is BURIED in the dash. Some take 4-5 hours. I suspect on your truck it's very easy to get to. |
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How fast is my Supra? I sh*t on Cessnas from a roll....
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articsteve
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« Reply #22 on: January 07, 2009, 12:14:49 am » |
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List for 98 Golf heater core is $169.00 CDN.
On many newer cars, the heater core is BURIED in the dash. Some take 4-5 hours.
Double that on cars with air bags. I did my Town Car and it took me 16 hours over 2 1/2 days. My Silverado Suburban took 45 minutes. |
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“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,” Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.
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weebl
Auto Obsessed
 OfflineVehicle: 2006 Toyota Sienna LE; 2008 Fleetwood Utah trailer
Gender: 
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 984
 
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« Reply #23 on: January 07, 2009, 12:15:40 pm » |
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the power doors work via the air pump behind the back seat.. they usually slow down and the pump runs longer and longer.. then it burns out. try sucking through a straw for 10 years without getting tired  They didn't use electric motors for the locks? Interesting design. |
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Suck, squeeze, bang, blow - who wouldn't love the internal combustion engine? |
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Honda Owner
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« Reply #24 on: January 07, 2009, 04:30:54 pm » |
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Some take 4-5 hours On cars with low cowls like Chrysler LHs it is a 16 hour job. |
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vicali
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« Reply #25 on: January 07, 2009, 05:05:14 pm » |
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vanagon blower motor in the dash, everything comes out > hope you have a weekend.. they had to put beds in the back so that you could rest while your changing this part |
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articsteve
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« Reply #26 on: January 07, 2009, 06:56:47 pm » |
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“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,” Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.
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rrocket
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« Reply #27 on: January 07, 2009, 06:58:20 pm » |
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I had a 1990 Mustang GT. You could see the heater core through the glove box. You could touch it. But it was all just a tease.......I had to take the dash apart to get to it....  |
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How fast is my Supra? I sh*t on Cessnas from a roll....
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barrie1
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« Reply #28 on: January 07, 2009, 11:57:56 pm » |
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Yes mine was very accessible in comparison to many of the others. Even Steve with his newer truck had little hassle to do his he says as well so its each companys design that costs more or less. Another reason why I like the products I do. |
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articsteve
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« Reply #29 on: January 08, 2009, 01:20:46 am » |
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Even Steve with his newer truck
It was a 85 Suburban Silverado 6.2 diesel. |
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“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,” Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.
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barrie1
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« Reply #30 on: January 09, 2009, 12:08:52 am » |
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The new ones are probably just as easy as that truck was as access is right up front. I know the older Mercedes vehilces had 2 fans in the Heating cooling systems as they had one for each and were a nightmare to replace them or the heater core as well. Hours and hours of labour went into them to get it done. |
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jewels007
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Location: Toronto
Posts: 22
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« Reply #31 on: January 10, 2009, 08:26:10 pm » |
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Hello - I am the original poster and the reason I didn't respond sooner is because CanadianDriver didn't alert me to the responses to my post. I thought no one had responded and therefore did not check the site. It was not because I was hiding, or whatever that one poster said. Sheesh. This is a tough crowd.
Answers to people's questions and comments:
- My car has 178,000 km on it.
- I had some of the work done at the dealership and other work done at an independent shop.
- Yes, you're right: it was the first time I had my coolant changed and you're right that the heater core going was most likely my failure to do a coolant flush. BUT I know many people who have never even heard of coolant flushes and their heater cores don't blow, so what gives?
- Many of you are of the opinion that most of these items were regular maintenance items. Other people seem to think this list is excessive. The truth is I wouldn't know what's "normal" and what's "excessive" - I am a 31-year-old female who has no mechanics in her family. I am not a car aficionado like many of you here - just an average (female) consumer.
Here is a final thought: VW (in North America, that is) has a reputation for being unreliable - you know it and I know it. Just check Consumer Reports. Perhaps my repair history is "normal maintenance" and I was too green to realize that, but surely not all VW owners who are unhappy are green like me. Where there is smoke there is fire!
Thanks,
Jewels
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« Last Edit: January 10, 2009, 08:35:33 pm by jewels007 »
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airbalancer
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« Reply #32 on: January 10, 2009, 08:35:37 pm » |
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Have you read your maintenance manual, the usually have list of things to do
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articsteve
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« Reply #33 on: January 10, 2009, 08:38:42 pm » |
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VW (in North America, that is) has a reputation for being unreliable - you know it and I know it.
That's accurate.
50% of those repairs were due to crappy quality. VWs are "driver's cars". not "owner's car".
You still driving it? Might as well.
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“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,” Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.
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jewels007
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Location: Toronto
Posts: 22
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« Reply #34 on: January 10, 2009, 08:45:05 pm » |
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It doesn't look too bad for a 10 years-old car. You seem to be going through ignition wires and coils more than normal. Why a second water pump replacement? What happened there? How many kilometers do you have on the Golf? I have a 1998 VW too with 180K.
The second water pump because the first mechanic apparently didn't know what he was doing and I had to have it redone by a totally different mechanic. Ignition coils and wires -- not sure why I am going through them faster than normal. Do you have any idea? I have 178 km on it.
I wish I could do my own repairs but I am a girl! |
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airbalancer
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« Reply #35 on: January 10, 2009, 08:47:05 pm » |
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It doesn't look too bad for a 10 years-old car. You seem to be going through ignition wires and coils more than normal. Why a second water pump replacement? What happened there? How many kilometers do you have on the Golf? I have a 1998 VW too with 180K.
The second water pump because the first mechanic apparently didn't know what he was doing and I had to have it redone by a totally different mechanic. Ignition coils and wires -- not sure why I am going through them faster than normal. Do you have any idea? I have 178 km on it.
I wish I could do my own repairs but I am a girl!
What does being a girl have to do with doing repairs  |
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jewels007
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« Reply #36 on: January 10, 2009, 08:52:29 pm » |
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Well, I still have it although I have been considering trading it in for a Toyota Yaris. I don't know if I should spend another $650 + tax on the new tie rod, tires and alignment.
To answer the other poster - yes, I have read the owner's manual (are you getting cute with me?). But the owner's manual stinks. VW needs to hire better writers and editors to produce their owner's manuals. It's not clear, it's all over the map and it makes no sense. I've read it 10 times and still don't get it. Did I mention I'm an editor?
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jewels007
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« Reply #37 on: January 10, 2009, 08:53:59 pm » |
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What does being a girl have to do with doing repairs You must know a lot of girls who fix cars. |
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airbalancer
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« Reply #38 on: January 10, 2009, 08:56:19 pm » |
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Well, I still have it although I have been considering trading it in for a Toyota Yaris. I don't know if I should spend another $650 + tax on the new tie rod, tires and alignment.
To answer the other poster - yes, I have read the owner's manual (are you getting cute with me?). But the owner's manual stinks. VW needs to hire better writers and editors to produce their owner's manuals. It's not clear, it's all over the map and it makes no sense. I've read it 10 times and still don't get it. Did I mention I'm an editor?
Most Canadians do not read any of their manuals Maybe manual was a straight translation from German |
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airbalancer
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« Reply #39 on: January 10, 2009, 08:59:22 pm » |
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What does being a girl have to do with doing repairs You must know a lot of girls who fix cars.I know some Also know women who are plumbers, sheet metal mechanic, and electrians I always hear, if a man can do it, a woman can do it better |
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