warranty work: heater core replaced

[3dplane]

Are you having problems with yours?

Looks like all three were located in the US South.

No problems with mine yet at 47K miles (except the rear axle but that's a different story)

[clw1976]

I know this is a bit old, but I wanted to pass on that I too now have a heater core that is leaking. I am waiting to see if Mitsubishi will cover the work under warranty, I currently have 65k miles.

[sunsetjim]

Update: I just had the heater core replaced for the 3rd! Time, and neither the dealer nor Mitsubishi has a clue why it keeps failing. This last time, they even had a video conference with the tech guys in California, and everyone is just dumbfounded. Off the record, the service manager said it was a bad design; crimp on vs ring clamps. I was also told to trade it before the warranty expired, because based on the service record of the car, the heater core will fail again in 10 to 12k miles. I guess I'll take their advice, but I won't be buying another Mitsubishi Mirage.

[inuvik]

Update: I just had the heater core replaced for the 3rd! Time, and neither the dealer nor Mitsubishi has a clue why it keeps failing. This last time, they even had a video conference with the tech guys in California, and everyone is just dumbfounded. Off the record, the service manager said it was a bad design; crimp on vs ring clamps. I was also told to trade it before the warranty expired, because based on the service record of the car, the heater core will fail again in 10 to 12k miles. I guess I'll take their advice, but I won't be buying another Mitsubishi Mirage.

Are they using the correct anti-freeze? Regular old school Anti-freeze will cause failure and if they are using regular water for the mix them that is an issue. Distilled water only



Engine coolant based non-silicate, non-amine, non- nitrate and non-borate coolant with long life hybrid organic acid technology

[Cobrajet]

I would assume that the dealership is using the correct antifreeze, right?

What about your radiator cap? If it isn't operating properly, maybe it could cause an over-pressure condition in the cooling system (with the heater core being the weakest point)? Or maybe a head gasket leak is introducing excess pressure into the system?

Does your car spend a lot of time idling in traffic? Put another way, does it often operate in the upper levels of the cooling system's acceptable temperature range?

Just thinking out loud...

I find it very hard to believe that there isn't something else going on with your particular car, as this seems to be a very rare problem for everyone...except you, unfortunately! Mine has nearly 80k on it and I haven't had any heater core trouble, nor have I had to add a drop of coolant since I bought it.

[Fummins]

Update: I just had the heater core replaced for the 3rd! Time, and neither the dealer nor Mitsubishi has a clue why it keeps failing. This last time, they even had a video conference with the tech guys in California, and everyone is just dumbfounded. Off the record, the service manager said it was a bad design; crimp on vs ring clamps. I was also told to trade it before the warranty expired, because based on the service record of the car, the heater core will fail again in 10 to 12k miles. I guess I'll take their advice, but I won't be buying another Mitsubishi Mirage.

What year is your car? I haven't had any problems with any 15's or 17's. Maybe its a 14' thing? I can't see it needing to be changed every 10k... Somethings not right with that.

[sunsetjim]

I would assume that the dealership is using the correct antifreeze, right?

What about your radiator cap? If it isn't operating properly, maybe it could cause an over-pressure condition in the cooling system (with the heater core being the weakest point)? Or maybe a head gasket leak is introducing excess pressure into the system?

Does your car spend a lot of time idling in traffic? Put another way, does it often operate in the upper levels of the cooling system's acceptable temperature range?

Just thinking out loud...

I find it very hard to believe that there isn't something else going on with your particular car, as this seems to be a very rare problem for everyone...except you, unfortunately! Mine has nearly 80k on it and I haven't had any heater core trouble, nor have I had to add a drop of coolant since I bought it.

Who knows? The dealer AND Mitsu both are completely stumped!

[wmo168]

Who knows? The dealer AND Mitsu both are completely stumped!

When the heater core leaks, the AC stop working?