| Author | Message | ||
     Joe Still (Joedisco) Member Username: Joedisco Post Number: 120 Registered: 09-2002 |
I could sure use advice from anyone who has done a heater core replace on a 95 D1!!!! Genuine LR service manual is like " oh yeah, there's this thing in there somewhere". I've ordered a new LR part from Nathan for $145. LOcal AC shops say 8.5 hrs labor at $50 is about $450 to install part I furnish. I just need opinions on whether I try myself or go cut grass in my spare time to pay someone else to do it. I am pretty good with mechs, weak on electrical. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 572 Registered: 02-2003 |
I think its buried in the dash, which requires removal..... | ||
| flyor (Flyor) New Member Username: Flyor Post Number: 25 Registered: 05-2003 |
It depends on your mechanical skills whether you should try it yourself. You will have to pull the dash the access the heater box. It takes time and patience. There are a lot of bolts and screws that you have to reinstall properly otherwise it will rattle like a SOB. A lot of electrical connections too. If you have a digital camera take pictures of everything. I worked at a LR dealer for years and replaced a lot of Disco dashboards but never had to actually replace a heater core on one. I did replace hundreds of heater cores on RRC though. As far as letting the “local AC shops” install it I would be leery of them working on my car unless they “experimented” on someone else first. I would say that 8.5 hours would be a fair estimate. Where are you located? | ||
| Joe Still (Joedisco) Member Username: Joedisco Post Number: 121 Registered: 09-2002 |
Huntsville AL Flyor. This shop has a good rep for AC systems but it's unlikely they have much Disco experience. Then again I have zero dash exp with Disco. Should I ask the dealer if they will install my part? We just got a new LR franchise in town. Do you think they bring in LR trained people or am I gonna get the Buick sparkplug guy with a different book? Thanks for the input! | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 225 Registered: 05-2003 |
Doesn't Huntsville have a bunch of cerebrals from the space program? They won't put up with too much incompetence.(sp) BTW, what is the labor rate at the dealer? In Calif. it's around $120/hr. Independent shop rates in the S.F. Bay Area - $90/hr. Central Valley - $75ish. | ||
| flyor (Flyor) New Member Username: Flyor Post Number: 31 Registered: 05-2003 |
I worked at a new LR dealer for awhile, they stole a few guys from the other dealer in town so there was some experiance with them when they opened. I would go in there and look around talk to the parts guys, maybe buy some cheap item you need and look around. Find out what their labor rate is and talk to the techs. If you like them and feel good about what they charge let them do it. Most of the LR techs I've met over the years are pretty good and are enthusiastic about the product their working on. It's pretty hard to get too thrilled about working on a Buick Century. | ||
| Joe Still (Joedisco) Member Username: Joedisco Post Number: 122 Registered: 09-2002 |
Eric, don't know yet local rate, I'd guess about 2/3's of Bay area. Flyor I'm gonna talk with local and one in Nashville. In case of a tie I'd better stick with more experienced. Whoops! Just got off the phone with local guy that says the part is 1,100 (already bought it from Nathan for $145) and labor is 1,200 for 15 hrs. I'll get a damn voltage converter and a space heater after short cicuiting the water loop (or buy a heavier coat!). That gets me thru summer and fall which aren't bad here. May have to let AC guy look at it cause I think local dude mistook Discovery for Rangie. Eric, you "can't swing a dead cat without hitting a rocket scientist around here" (apologies to cat lovers) but the pocket protector crowd would have no knowledge of something as oddly engineered as a Land Rover. Generally speaking they are fiscal conservatives and buy American. Nice people though! | ||
| Joseph Bilyk (Denverrover) Member Username: Denverrover Post Number: 124 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey Joe have you tried to reverse-flush the heater core before replacing it? I have an old Jeep Cherokee that was basically blowing ass-cold air. Took a garden hose w/ a nozel & reverse flushed the heater core a few times. Actually did it both ways....and a TON of crap came out. Be careful because you don't want to risk bursting it but I'll tell you what it blows hot now. Let me know...... Joe | ||
| Roger Fastring (Fastring) Member Username: Fastring Post Number: 62 Registered: 02-2003 |
Dont recommend it. I tore the dash out on mine and when installing the new one, broke the new core's nipple connection thing. The way the hoses connect to the core is criminal. That was over 2yrs ago, havent had heat or a wife that liked driving in my rover since. Go figure. Either leave it out or pay the $$, IMO. I will buy a webasto/co/? super fancy 12v thing someday for the same amount of $ and have no worries or leaking, though it takes space... | ||
| flyor (Flyor) New Member Username: Flyor Post Number: 32 Registered: 05-2003 |
Joe, how far is Atlanta from you? You could talk to Mike at Gwinnett and see what they charge. Hell for $1,200 bucks I might be tempted to come on down. How's the weather? Just kidding I'm in the middle of a valve job on mine. | ||
| Joe Still (Joedisco) Member Username: Joedisco Post Number: 124 Registered: 09-2002 |
Good idea on Atlanta Flyor. Also I haven't heard back from Nashville yet. Good luck with the valves. | ||
| Joe Still (Joedisco) Member Username: Joedisco Post Number: 126 Registered: 09-2002 |
Atlanta says part is $211 and 9 hrs at $89/hr. Add to recharge AC as it get disconnected as well. |
