Heater core replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Heater core replacement
I read posts on this before and am contemplating this job soon...don't know for sure whether that's my problem or not.
1. Ocassionally (just occassionally), I'll get a fine mist right in the center of my windshield on the inside. I usually get this after I've driven the car, parked it for about 15-20 minutes, jump back in and fire it up...there's the little mist. It goes away really quickly, say 1-2 minutes, and has no antifreeze odor or taste...nor does it leave residue. I can't figure it out...unless it's the heater core (not sure)....any thoughts?
2. IF I have to change the core, it appears to be one mother of a job involving removing the DASH (what genuius designed that?). Does anyone have any shortcuts to offer or pitfalls to avoid?
Thanks for your time.
Dave :)
1. Ocassionally (just occassionally), I'll get a fine mist right in the center of my windshield on the inside. I usually get this after I've driven the car, parked it for about 15-20 minutes, jump back in and fire it up...there's the little mist. It goes away really quickly, say 1-2 minutes, and has no antifreeze odor or taste...nor does it leave residue. I can't figure it out...unless it's the heater core (not sure)....any thoughts?
2. IF I have to change the core, it appears to be one mother of a job involving removing the DASH (what genuius designed that?). Does anyone have any shortcuts to offer or pitfalls to avoid?
Thanks for your time.
Dave :)
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Heater core replacement (emoshn)
2. IF I have to change the core, it appears to be one mother of a job involving removing the DASH (what genuius designed that?). Does anyone have any shortcuts to offer or pitfalls to avoid?
Thanks for your time.
Dave :)
Thanks for your time.
Dave :)
Step 1) Purchase a FACTORY service manual.
Step 2) Be sure to give the manual to the person who buys your car, because they've got one nasty project ahead of them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Heater core replacement (emoshn)
Are you running the AC when you get the mist? If so the door that closes the defrost vent when you turn on the AC may be malfuntioning. Cold air on the inside-warm air outside could cause a mist.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 460
Likes: 12
From: Gulf Shores AL
Re: Heater core replacement (emoshn)
It may just be some condensation from the heating ducts. If you don't smell the antifreeze and don't have the puddle in the passenger footwell, you probably don't have a heater core problem.
I didn't hate replacing my heater core as much as most folks. It took a good day and a half, and I scraped a couple of knuckles, but it did not require any extraordinary skill. Just some patience. The dash pad was easy to get out. You have to disassemble part of the wiring harness to make space to access the core. That was annoying. Finally, fixing the new core into place required some dexterity.
Unfortunately, I don't believe there are any shortcuts. The chassis service manual is essential though.
I didn't hate replacing my heater core as much as most folks. It took a good day and a half, and I scraped a couple of knuckles, but it did not require any extraordinary skill. Just some patience. The dash pad was easy to get out. You have to disassemble part of the wiring harness to make space to access the core. That was annoying. Finally, fixing the new core into place required some dexterity.
Unfortunately, I don't believe there are any shortcuts. The chassis service manual is essential though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Re: Heater core replacement (jwg2)
The puddle on the floor thing bugs me. It HAS had that...one time, the other times it's just simply been a small mist that disappears after a few minutes. The one time the carpet was damp, again there was no smell, taste, or residue of antifreeze...so I attributed it to a small leak somewhere from outside the vehicle.
I'm not going to rush into the job. I DO have the two Hayes shop manuals. That's where I read the procedure (which has about 50 steps...the last one being: "remove the heater core".) :crazy:
So, for now, I guess I'll let it rest. But I have a sinking feeling that this job is in my future.
I'm not going to rush into the job. I DO have the two Hayes shop manuals. That's where I read the procedure (which has about 50 steps...the last one being: "remove the heater core".) :crazy:
So, for now, I guess I'll let it rest. But I have a sinking feeling that this job is in my future.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Heater core replacement (emoshn)
I never did reach the "puddle on the floor" stage. Eventially, the carpet on the firewall DID get damp. My first indication of a problem came when I was out of state at a race. I fired it up late at night to head back to the motel, and the windshield fogged up, where I had to wipe it every minute or so. I survived the weekend and actually many months more, with the addition of a container of Alumaseal, radiator stop leak. When that finally gave up, I "short curcuited" the heater out of the cooling system. I point all this out, just to illustrate that you CAN buy time, before you have to tear into it. Good luck. Don't forget my easy two step method, posted above. I'll use it next time.
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:44 AM 3/29/2002]
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:44 AM 3/29/2002]
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Heater core replacement (emoshn)
I attempted to swap it. I couldnt get the new core through the dash, and had no idea how I was going to connect the door again.
My solution? Pull the entire A/C & Heater system from the car. Heater was dead for over a year anyways, and A/C had been on a half dozen times in the few years I drove the car. So no real loss :)
My advice, find a shop thats stupid enough to do it!
Goodluck if you change it.
Matt
My solution? Pull the entire A/C & Heater system from the car. Heater was dead for over a year anyways, and A/C had been on a half dozen times in the few years I drove the car. So no real loss :)
My advice, find a shop thats stupid enough to do it!
Goodluck if you change it.
Matt
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Re: Heater core replacement (emoshn)
I don't know what the gods say about this stuff, but they do make a liquid that you pour into your coolant system to plug leaks. It's this brown nasty stuff that - I think this is how it works anyway - you put into the coolant and as it starts to leak out, it dries up and plugs the hole.
I used to smell antifreeze every once in a while, then did this and I don't smell it anymore. If the leak is small, then I'd try this first. It could save you a bunch of time.
Now let be say a little more before someone else does it. Do you really want to put something in your coolant system that it's main purpose is to clog stuff? Well, it's a chance I took a few years ago and I haven't had any problems (yet).
Could be worth a shot.
Good luck.
I used to smell antifreeze every once in a while, then did this and I don't smell it anymore. If the leak is small, then I'd try this first. It could save you a bunch of time.
Now let be say a little more before someone else does it. Do you really want to put something in your coolant system that it's main purpose is to clog stuff? Well, it's a chance I took a few years ago and I haven't had any problems (yet).
Could be worth a shot.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Heater core replacement (jshope)
I don't know what the gods say about this stuff, but they do make a liquid that you pour into your coolant system to plug leaks.
Good luck.
Good luck.