heater core

[LedJetta]

i dunno if this is the right section to post this in, but whatever.

noticed the last two days my 94 turbo wagon was smellin kinda funny. and not the usual "oil buring off on the manifold" smell. it was kinda sweet but stunk, and i thought coolant. on top of this i was having issues with the windshield fogging on a dry, only slightly cool morning...for my entire 35 minute trip to work.

when i put the vents on, the air coming out was cold like AC and i could see it, it was hazy. on top of this i decided randomly to bust out a new pair of sneaks ive been sittin on fer a couple months. i got out and walked into the office and they were wet with coolant.

so my heater cores takin a shit im pretty sure. ive got another car i daily in the summer so its not a big deal, but my questions are these:

1) how much to fix?
2) how long can i put it off?
3) any permanent damage from letting it go for awhile? or is it gonna explode and become a bigger mess if i do that?

thanks

[BAC5.2]

You could bypass the heater core from the engine bay, I think. I'd recomend that until you can get a new one.

[LedJetta]

any specifics?

[Brat4by4]

Goto your local parts store and find a pre-formed piece that looks like this. It will bypass your heater core without kinks and work beautifully.

Replacing your heater core should not cost anymore than the core itself and maybe some safety torx bits if you don't have them to take the airbag off.

Take out all the radio stuff and unscrew all grounds. Remove the glovebox and ac box behind it. Remove the steering wheel, trim, dash instrument cluster, trim pieces, etc. Take out something like 7 screws and the whole dash is loose. Unplug all the electrical connectors and such and the whole dash is out of the car +/-.

Take the heater box apart and replace the core. Take lots of pictures to make sure you put everything back together correctly. You will lose your A/C charge unfortunately.

[93forestpearl]

And swear profusly after getting it apart.

[LedJetta]

thanks gents.

since you guys are still assuming a bit too much about what i know haha, where does that bypass piece go exactly?

[Brat4by4]

In the engine bay, near the starter. Right above it you should see 2 coolant lines that go into the firewall. One goes almost straight back and the other makes two 90 degree bends to another part of the fire wall. Right above the starter you should see where the 2 lines connect to metal pipes. That piece will easily fit on the two.

Maybe someone could grab a picture? I did not drive my Legacy today.