Originally Posted by
Fummins
...probably squished the heater core tube when removing the hose.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Dirk...if you removed the hoses from those heater core fittings, here's what the heater core inlet/outlet tubes should look like...
These tubes are rigid but they're not very strong and can easily be mis-shaped by improper hose removal or installation. Like Fummins says...it happens to the best of us. Chances are one of your heater core tubes is no longer round and looks like this...
If it's that jacked-up, it probably didn't leave the factory that way. If you aren't the original owner, then you're going to have a hard time convincing Mitsubishi that they need to give you a warranty repair on this. You can always ask.
Goodwill repair? Those are usually reserved for good dealership customers. If you bought your car new there and have paid the dealer to do all of your service, then you're a good customer. If this is the first time these guys have ever seen your face, don't hold your breath. Especially on a cheap car like the Mirage. Sometimes they will split the cost of the repair 50/50 if there are no other options and the manufacturer is feeling generous.
I would take it to your private shop for a second opinion and see if they can do something to straighten out the tubes. The dealership guys don't want to touch it and potentially make it worse. Someone at a private shop would work with it like Fummins suggested.
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)