Was our heater core changed or not?

[Penst8grad]

Passat was at the dealership for 2nd no heat trouble in 8 months. 1st time, in Feb, the core was changed and heat was good again. In October, we had no heat again. They diagnosed as 2nd heater core and ordered parts. 2 weeks later parts were in and my wife dropped it off.

When she picked it up she had heat. The next morning, nothing.

I looked at the paperwork and it says they flushed it 2x and changed the heater core. When I checked it out the expansion tank was overfilled by about 3" and there was a lot of air in the lines. She commented, and I confirmed, that confirmed gurgling under the dash.

I burped it and heat was luke warm now.

Today I had a chance to get into the core again. I wanted to confirm the blend door was working, it is. I still have the core I had bought last time when I was going to do the work and was comparing it to the one currently in the car.

Is the date code on the one I had sitting for months newer than the one in the car? I don't know how to decipher VW date codes.

In Car: 34020-1
On my bench: 08520-2

Also, Is there any other way to tell if the one in the car is plugged or just full of air?

 

[Tom in PT]

If you have heat on drivers side and no heat on passenger side, you have a plugged core.
If you have no heat at all, on either side, then you probably have air lock in the system and need to purge that air, then do a test on passenger vs. driver side heat output.

 

[TurboABA]

The TSB is out there and fairly easy to find.
I've posted it a few times already.
Take it back to the dealer as it's still under "warranty" and they haven't fixed it yet.
Let them figure it out.

 

[MrCypherr]

Sounds like they might not have bled it right. PITA for those to bleed.

 

[bustNfuel]

Any updates for us @Penst8grad ?

 

[Penst8grad]

Any updates for us @Penst8grad ?

Made an appointment with a non-dealership VW garage. We picked it up from the dealership and it still blows warm air at best. Totally unacceptable and motivation to find a better option for service. Thanks for the bump and I'll share when it gets resolved.

 

[Penst8grad]

Still no solution and now no car either. We dropped it off last Thursday night for a Friday appt and have not heard a peep since. My wife called and emailed. No response from the garage.

I'm sure you all know the saying, "If Mama's not happy..."

 

[Penst8grad]

My son stopped at the garage today since he lives close. Car isn't fixed, can't figure out what is wrong, so "it must be the heater core". My wife is going to pick it up tomorrow, pay for the diagnostic and we will find somewhere else. While there my son called and said they garage going to call with news. Everything I know is what they told him. 2hr later and still no call.

So, 2 trips to the dealer, 5 days at an independent VW garage, and still no heat. I'll post updates as they come.

 

[miningman]

whats the point of having a warrantee if ypur not going to use it ?? Take it to a vw dealership under the strict understanding that you get a free loaner after nmutally agreable time frame

 

[Penst8grad]

whats the point of having a warrantee if ypur not going to use it ?? Take it to a vw dealership under the strict understanding that you get a free loaner after nmutally agreable time frame

Warranty was not through VW. It was a 12mo dealer warranty that they tried to weasel out of by saying it was mileage too but they called it good will. After them saying it was fixed 2x and it was not, it has become clear that they are not somewhere that should be trusted to fix my wife's car. This is basic stuff and they could not get it right after 2 attempts.

Independent VW garage was an effort to find somewhere up to the task that I can drop and trust their work. I trust myself and the family mechanic but he is not a VW person. Brakes, oil changes, etc he is fine for the VW but not this. They also failed.

I was recommended another local shop today. Will check it out tomorrow. I just want to drop it off, pick it up, write a check, and have heat in her car. Not sure why this has to be so complicated.

 

[Penst8grad]

The conclusion of the story...Wife wanted to take it back to the independent shop and since it is her car that's what happened. They changed the heater core and miraculously there is good heat now. Maybe it was the heater core the whole time? (sarcasm)

Oh, wait...the dealer changed the heater core again back in October when all this started. It's right on the work order. Except they obviously didn't. I have the plugged up heater core that is supposedly only 2 months old. Debating whether to take it, show the dealer, and raise hell or just be done with them.

 

[Tom in PT]

^ Glad you had a good outcome, I would be sorely tempted to take the repair bill from the independent shop and the plugged core back to the dishonest VW dealer and raise hell, and get a refund of all your out of pocket expenses. And report to VW corporate if they do not comply.

 

[TurboABA]

I doubt he has a leg to stand on since he choose to go to the indy shop instead of back to vw to have the same fix re-fixed, etc...... but worth a try.

 

[Penst8grad]

Washing my hands of the dealership. They had it 2x the 2nd time and didn't fix anything. It was under $200 at the independent and I am writing it off as the cost of learning that particular dealership sucks.

It still doesn't take care of the core plugging 2x in 8 months. I think the VW's time with us grows short.

 

[Tom in PT]

Lets hope your indy did a few good flushes when they replaced the core. Not just one but several. I have managed to live with my replacement core for about 4 years and 25,000 miles, knock on wood.

 

[06bluebeetletdi]

My heater core is clogged for the 3rd time. Jan16 - 41k, oct17-53k (sat from march16-sept17 dieselgate/takata) jan22 110k

 

[Penst8grad]

I still plan to replace the glycerine based G-13 with Rotella ELC NF this spring. I'm 100% certain the glycerine cooking in the EGR is the problem. Too cold to do it now.

 

[mak474]

I still plan to replace the glycerine based G-13 with Rotella ELC NF this spring. I'm 100% certain the glycerine cooking in the EGR is the problem. Too cold to do it now.

Correct the EGR Cooler is upstream from the heater core, there is no bypass and as it ages it gets more and more clogged causing more heat buildup. Eventually cooking the coolant which then flakes off and flows directly into the heater core. I can't believe your dealer wouldn't warranty it.
I've thought about changing coolant type after my warranty is gone, but I plan on deleting all the extra emissions stuff. This coolant is all to similar to Dex Cool in the 90s.

This has been my experience with my TDI so far.
2013 Passat TDI SE - LEMON | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum

 

[Penst8grad]

I can't believe your dealer wouldn't warranty it.

Because this dealer sucks. Claimed to have changed the heater core again and did not. Instead was hoping to flush the problem away. They are either lazy, clueless, or both. Either way they are dishonest and will not see our vehicle again except for warranty work.

 

[mak474]

Because this dealer sucks. Claimed to have changed the heater core again and did not. Instead was hoping to flush the problem away. They are either lazy, clueless, or both. Either way they are dishonest and will not see our vehicle again except for warranty work.

That's too bad. My dealer has been great. They did change the core once for it to fail again in 80 miles. But after I pinned them down asking if the EGR cooler was the next component upstream with no bypass they have realized I know this isn't as much a cooling system issue but yet another issue resulting from dieselgate.

 

[Tom in PT]

I'm curious. Why Rotella ELC NF? I looked at a brochure for that product (see link) and it did not state it is compatible with a G12 or G12++ coolant. That is what I plan to use in the future.

https://rotella.shell.com/en_ca/products/lubricants-heavy-duty-products/antifreeze-coolant/_jcr_content/par/toptasks.stream/1490828339244/45be62c8af63663a945e2b2a000db5d6280c6559/shell-rotella-elc-nf.PDF

 

[06bluebeetletdi]

I have some friends who are vw techs, they have a super flush (not sure of the exact details) which involves replacing the egr cooler as well. One car had a heater core that only lasted 5,000 miles when using the normal procedure.

 

[Penst8grad]

Rotella ELC NF?

I plan to remove all the G13 and replace it. That is the most similar non-glycerine coolant I can find and it is rated for more miles than this car will ever see. Somewhere I had read in literature it also has no issue with diesel EGR temps too.

 

[x1800MODMY360x]

I plan to remove all the G13 and replace it. That is the most similar non-glycerine coolant I can find and it is rated for more miles than this car will ever see. Somewhere I had read in literature it also has no issue with diesel EGR temps too.

My car has the G12/+ coolant right now and I purchased more of the "Pink" lid coolant to replace it with when I do the TB.

I see so many people have issues with the G13 as opposed to the G12.

 

[mak474]

My car has the G12/+ coolant right now and I purchased more of the "Pink" lid coolant to replace it with when I do the TB.

I see so many people have issues with the G13 as opposed to the G12.

Well the dealer only has G13 now and its 50/50 which is annoying. I mean I'll go buy a gallon of distilled water and make 2 gallons usually. I feel ripped off when I have to buy 50/50.

I have some friends who are vw techs, they have a super flush (not sure of the exact details) which involves replacing the egr cooler as well. One car had a heater core that only lasted 5,000 miles when using the normal procedure.

The previous owner of mine did one in the spring of last year. Put about 1,500mi on it and sold it to me. Mine clogged up before Christmas this year. About 5 days and 80mi later after having the dealer do and supposedly flush the entire system multiple times. She was clogged again. They've had my car 3 weeks now and changed nearly every cooling system component.

 

[AverageAndy]

My car has the G12/+ coolant right now and I purchased more of the "Pink" lid coolant to replace it with when I do the TB.

That's what I just did. My coolant reservoir still had a G12++ label on it, and I replaced with Zerex G40. The old coolant was definitely tired as it was less than pink.