Done with this heater core. Going to swap it out, and as long as I'm there I almost have to do a new evaporator too. Prices go from $47 for a TYC (whatever that is) all the way to $273 for a Valeo. Is there a great quality difference? Is the workmanship/materials of a cheapo so bad that I might be better off with the factory one that's still working?

 

Why change the evaporator? Those rarely go bad unless damaged somehow. If/when I ever do a heater core change (and who knows, I'm beginning to loose coolant very slowly, and it's wet around the firewall grommet), I'd instead check the potentiometers on those flapper actuators. The only evaporator part you might change, if it wasn't working well, is the expansion orifice and strainer assembly.

 

I stopped by a radiator place I trust. He kind of agrees with you. He put it this way, "I'd much rather have a 15 year old Valeo or Behr evaporator in there then a brand new Chinese $47 evaporator." I'll probably do a new dryer and seal it all back up.

 

Great comments. I'd suggest scan with vag and see if any flapper motors are coding, if so clear and play with the controls in the time before tear down to verify a problem. 1000% easier when it's out.