Heater Core removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Heater Core removal
I got the dreaded collant leak in my heater core...:cry:
I have disconnected the wiring, pulled the ECM, removed the support bar and 3 screws from the heater core cover box. I can just pry open the box ans see the core, but are there any screws hidden at the top of the box, and if so, how in the hell do I access them???????? :confused:
I have disconnected the wiring, pulled the ECM, removed the support bar and 3 screws from the heater core cover box. I can just pry open the box ans see the core, but are there any screws hidden at the top of the box, and if so, how in the hell do I access them???????? :confused:
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Heater Core removal (ADL)
I'm interested in this as well.. I'll be doing my heater core this weekend.
I have heard that there are two screws hidden at the top and will need to be accessed with an extension or a swivel. That's what I'm planning on anyway.. if I'm wrong hopefully someone will correct me.
Did you tear your dash out or just remove the seat and passenger side hush panel?
I have heard that there are two screws hidden at the top and will need to be accessed with an extension or a swivel. That's what I'm planning on anyway.. if I'm wrong hopefully someone will correct me.
Did you tear your dash out or just remove the seat and passenger side hush panel?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Heater Core removal (ADL)
Two on the top. Use long extensions with a universal joint or a flexible shaft with a 7 mm socket.
You can get to them from the bottom, if you remove the passenger seat.
Mark
You can get to them from the bottom, if you remove the passenger seat.
Mark
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
Re: Heater Core removal (Mark-44)
GOod luck. I am in the middle of removing mine, well i actually just got it out this afternoon. Took me quite a while and I must say I would have rather paid the $300 for a local shop to do it. Now, i tried to do the fast guy method described in the archives. Took the seat out and all, i couldnt get near the stuff on top. Might be because i have a very limited set of tools. So about 6hrs later i had removed everything on earth, and finally got it out. It was very important to get the main air duct out so i could get a straight shot at the top left and right 7mm screws. Also the big metal brace with 6 screws on the right side was needed to be removed to get the fuse/bus brace out to move the defrost tube forward to get enough room to actually pull the heater core box out and down. Now getting it back in I won't know yet since i haven't recieved my new heater core in the mail yet. I'll let you know...good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Heater Core removal (ADL)
You may want to do a search on this subject. It has been discussed ad nausium, for the last 30 - 60 days. Winter must be coming. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Heater Core removal (Ras119)
It goes back together fairly easily if you do one step at a time; however:
1). Don't hook up your heater core hoses before you get the cover on. The cover will not fit and will be in a bind.
2). Take your time.
3). Be careful with the rod that goes to the plastic/nylon connector on the heater door. Mine broke, the Chevy garage can order it but it may be another delay.. might be a good idea to get new one anyway, as heat and age deteriorated mine.
4). Take your time.
5). When reassembling tape the screws into the 7 mm socket, and also tape the extensions together. I did loose one screw somewhere in the dash(it doesn't rattle).
Good luck, yes it would be easier to pay $300 to $500 to have it done, but think of the warm feeling of pride when the heater works, and besides the exercise is good. LOL.
I think it would help to read those heater core topics posted in the past month. Check the archives.
Mark
1). Don't hook up your heater core hoses before you get the cover on. The cover will not fit and will be in a bind.
2). Take your time.
3). Be careful with the rod that goes to the plastic/nylon connector on the heater door. Mine broke, the Chevy garage can order it but it may be another delay.. might be a good idea to get new one anyway, as heat and age deteriorated mine.
4). Take your time.
5). When reassembling tape the screws into the 7 mm socket, and also tape the extensions together. I did loose one screw somewhere in the dash(it doesn't rattle).
Good luck, yes it would be easier to pay $300 to $500 to have it done, but think of the warm feeling of pride when the heater works, and besides the exercise is good. LOL.
I think it would help to read those heater core topics posted in the past month. Check the archives.
Mark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Heater Core removal (Mark-44)
Thanks guys for all the answers. Yes, I did use Fastguy method and removed the seat first, but I have ruined two pairs of pants by getting them caught on the seat mounting stud. :eek:
I suspected that there must be hiden screws at the top, and I can feel the upper right-hand one, but not the on the left side. There is a plastic pipe/duct running behind the console that is not easy to remove. Does this stay there? :confused:
Mabe I should grab the digital camera and let a picture do the talking.
Mark-44 - good tips. Thanks.
I suspected that there must be hiden screws at the top, and I can feel the upper right-hand one, but not the on the left side. There is a plastic pipe/duct running behind the console that is not easy to remove. Does this stay there? :confused:
Mabe I should grab the digital camera and let a picture do the talking.
Mark-44 - good tips. Thanks.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
Re: Heater Core removal (ADL)
I think the hose you are talking about runs to the inside air temp sensor. I pulled mine off, but then again, i pulled off everything in the &&(&$# car but the tires. Anyone wanna make bets as to how many pieces i will have left over when i get this thing back together? Surely not everthing needs to go back in its neat little mounting bracket....I can zip tie and duct tape up most anything :lol: :D :D
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
Re: Heater Core removal (Mark-44)
). Be careful with the rod that goes to the plastic/nylon connector on the heater door. Mark, i dont recall this connector :confused: And my core cover came out without the heater hoses being disconnected. Shouldn't it go back on that way as well? Keep in mind that I wasnt able to achieve the Fastguy method so I have plenty of room to work in there. One other thing. One shop I got a quote from said they always send the core out to have the hoses re-inforced (welded) in place, since they have had probs in the past with them cracking during install. It makes sense, and maybe it would keep some folks from having to dig in there again. I'd hate to discover a leak after the entire install. Oh, now this is really the last thing...Is there some sort of gasket that belongs around the heater core case? Some little rubbery thing fell out during the extraction, but it looked about worthless. i am assuming it was some sort of gasket.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Heater Core removal (ADL)
[QUOTE] I have ruined two pairs of pants by getting them caught on the seat mounting stud. :eek:
ADD-- I have taken to use an old quilt to lay on, kneel on, catchs little parts, keeps things clean and is user friendly--saves pants too--EndADD
I suspected that there must be hiden screws at the top, and I can feel the upper right-hand one, but not the on the left side.
ADD2-- The one on the top left is near the curved part of the cover, about an inch from the seam. I connected the flex extension (could use a universal joint also) to the socket with two more long extensions two remove this one. EndADD2.
There is a plastic pipe/duct running behind the console that is not easy to remove. Does this stay there? :confused:
ADD3 -- I removed a black plastic pipe/duct, it was round at one end and angled at the other(about 6-8 inches long). EndADD3.
LOL -- Take your time.
Mark
ADD-- I have taken to use an old quilt to lay on, kneel on, catchs little parts, keeps things clean and is user friendly--saves pants too--EndADD
I suspected that there must be hiden screws at the top, and I can feel the upper right-hand one, but not the on the left side.
ADD2-- The one on the top left is near the curved part of the cover, about an inch from the seam. I connected the flex extension (could use a universal joint also) to the socket with two more long extensions two remove this one. EndADD2.
There is a plastic pipe/duct running behind the console that is not easy to remove. Does this stay there? :confused:
ADD3 -- I removed a black plastic pipe/duct, it was round at one end and angled at the other(about 6-8 inches long). EndADD3.
LOL -- Take your time.
Mark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Heater Core removal (vinnies87)
I know I have to take my time, but this happened on my last day's driving, before I was abount to winterize it. Now we have snow, and it's getting cold. :mad
I can't start the engine till I fix this, and I want to change the oil for the winter hibernation. So................ I must try to complete this before it's too cold and my fingers fall off from frostbite.
P.S. I live in the Great White North.
I can't start the engine till I fix this, and I want to change the oil for the winter hibernation. So................ I must try to complete this before it's too cold and my fingers fall off from frostbite.
P.S. I live in the Great White North.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Heater Core removal (Ras119)
) Is there some sort of gasket that belongs around the heater core case?
I salvaged the molded piece at the top -- taped it together and in place. I made two pieces of foam gasket much larger than the original and duct taped them to each side of the heater core.
The mounted core needs some wiggle room so the solder won't break again.
LOL...Mark
