graygun
Hunter
I have,about 40 yrs ago on a '71 Valiant.
Look at this nightmare (short vid).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7KGvrnq3gs
Look at this nightmare (short vid).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7KGvrnq3gs
Ever replace a heater core?
- Thread starter graygun
- Start date
Good grief! :shock:
I've done a lot of heater core replacements. Many are exactly like depicted in the video. Others are not so bad. The easiest I know of were the 80's era Ford Bronco and F-series trucks. Almost anyone could do one of those in less than an hour.
Either way though, there's a couple of aspects to the job which never vary...meaning that one should never buy a replacement heater core based on price-shopping, because there is a distinct difference in a cheap heater core and a 'premium' heater core. Plus, it pays to stop and think about why the original core failed, which most usually comes down to rot. And rot usually comes down to a lack of cooling system maintenance (and all that that implies)...point there being that if that issue isn't also addressed, you're probably going to be seeing other cooling system related failures in the not too distant future...or you might-well be doing the job over again after the warranty on your shiny-new heater core has expired.
DGW
Either way though, there's a couple of aspects to the job which never vary...meaning that one should never buy a replacement heater core based on price-shopping, because there is a distinct difference in a cheap heater core and a 'premium' heater core. Plus, it pays to stop and think about why the original core failed, which most usually comes down to rot. And rot usually comes down to a lack of cooling system maintenance (and all that that implies)...point there being that if that issue isn't also addressed, you're probably going to be seeing other cooling system related failures in the not too distant future...or you might-well be doing the job over again after the warranty on your shiny-new heater core has expired.
DGW
Notice the bypass hose from the manifold to the water pump outlet. It is there for a reason. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO way am I going to change the heater core. 
Ya don't need heat in Texas. Easier to put on more clothes :wink: :wink:
Ya don't need heat in Texas. Easier to put on more clothes :wink: :wink: 
I've done a bunch of heater cores myself and they are quite often as shown. The one that sticks out in my mind is my first 80's era Taurus. As shown you have to remove the whole instrument panel. If you follow the shop manual it has you remove everything to drop the instrument panel except for one last screw. It just happens to be by the gas pedal. So while holding the complete instrument panel in the air with one arm you have to unscrew and remove this little screw all way under the panel at the floor. To add to this fine mess you have already separated the steering column from the dash so it is loose and flopping on the drivers seat too. Basically exactly in line with where you need to be. That quickly became the FIRST screw removed when doing those.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
Based on my personal experience, this is a VERY accurate summary!DGW1949 said:
Phrased another way, treat the cause and not the symptom.
clintsfolly
Single-Sixer
Never replace one but put a few thousand in Grand Am and Alreo,s. No thanks
Isuzu Stylus also was a "dash removal". No need to get into the new combination of words used. :twisted: Engineers should be made to actually perform the operation prior to making any design a permanent way to fix something.
DeletedMember275
Hunter
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2002
- Messages
- 2,759
Fox Mike said:
Said every mechanic/maintainer, ever. :lol:
I fully agree!
Yes, on a 1959 Chevy Apache pick up. All under the hood. Piece of cake. I never should have sold that truck.
RSIno1
Hunter
When the Taurus was first developed Ford was proud of the fact that they brought mechanics in to work with the engineers to make maintenance easier. Gotta remember Ford's job 1 is to make a car as easy and cheap as possible to build. It's the dealers job/income to maintain it.Enigma said:
daveg.inkc
Hunter
I replaced heat core on my '97 F 150 By time I could get to core, steering wheel was all that was left to dash. Really no reason to make such hard access. Outside, under hood on my 1980 International Scout. Easy 30 min task.
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
I replaced the heater core in my '98 Volvo S-70; Manual had you taking the WHOLE dash apart; Volvo Owners forum showed how to do it removing the glove compartment and sides of the center console and VIOLA !! there is the case holding the heater core disconnect a couple of hoses, open the bottom, slide out the old and in with the new. A couple of hours and sore muscles from awkward positions and the job is DONE>
CLAYPOOL
Single-Sixer
Chev Fix: Back in the "DAY" I would cut the tin on the inside fender liner and fold down. That let you get to one of the bottom nuts on the studs that came out around the heater box cover easier . Then when over bend metal back up. cars were more economical back then. You could tar it also because the roof tar was fibered (SP) and would stay fairly well too.I didn't bother because it drained any water or whatever out the bottom of the liner...
Is the core leaking or no heat because of a block. If you undo the heater hoses in the firewall and clamp on a garden hose and let er rip for 5 minutes or so many times it will unblock. Worked for me on my Blazer.. for once where there was no heat now I have plenty just from the hose procedure
Bull Barrel
Hunter
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Be careful using a garden hose. Too much pressure can damage the core.
Funny this topic came up. I am going to the mechanic today to get an estimate to replace tge leaky core on my 92 Dakota.
Funny this topic came up. I am going to the mechanic today to get an estimate to replace tge leaky core on my 92 Dakota.
ndcowboy
Blackhawk
golferboy426 said:
I did the same thing on a 98 Jeep Cherokee. Worked great and three years later I still have lots of heat.
When I was a youngster,I worked at GM dealerships in the area,mainly pontiac,and Gmc.
When a 1990 Camaro came in with a heater core leak,after I had started working at a Chevy dealer,all the senior techs turned down the job,so the service manager tasked it to me,saying it pays 8 hours,so I jumped on it,and had it done in less than 2 hours.
Then all the senior techs griped because I was getting the gravy jobs! :mrgreen:
When a 1990 Camaro came in with a heater core leak,after I had started working at a Chevy dealer,all the senior techs turned down the job,so the service manager tasked it to me,saying it pays 8 hours,so I jumped on it,and had it done in less than 2 hours.
Then all the senior techs griped because I was getting the gravy jobs! :mrgreen:
Bull Barrel said:
While it's there, you might want to ask him to raise it up in the air and look for signs of leaky/seeping freeze plugs because once 'the rot' starts, ya never know what else might be effected, or where it might show up next.
DGW
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
golferboy426 said:
Careful there; IF it's a LEAKING heater core, using the hose COULD give you a floor board with its own lake !!
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
"Ever replace a heater core?"
Nope.
How about an a/c (edit) evaporator coil? I had an aftermarket one bolted under my '68 Chevy's dash. Couldn't you do the same thing with a heater core?
Nope.
How about an a/c (edit) evaporator coil? I had an aftermarket one bolted under my '68 Chevy's dash. Couldn't you do the same thing with a heater core?
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
Jimbo357mag said:"Ever replace a heater core?"
Nope.
How about an a/c condenser? I had an aftermarket one bolted under my '68 Chevy's dash. Couldn't you do the same thing with a heater core?
NOPE!!
The heater core HAS to be mounted where the ac/heater blower can push air through it and then out through the dash vents, the ONLY place for it is UNDER the dash. No room in the engine compartment anymore.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
My under dash a/c had it's own blower built in. No leg room but there was cold air.Colonialgirl said:Jimbo357mag said:"Ever replace a heater core?"
Nope.
How about an a/c evaporator coil? I had an aftermarket one bolted under my '68 Chevy's dash. Couldn't you do the same thing with a heater core?
NOPE!!
The heater core HAS to be mounted where the ac/heater blower can push air through it and then out through the dash vents, the ONLY place for it is UNDER the dash. No room in the engine compartment anymore.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
The heater core in my 2000 f150 was leaking.
The whole dash had to be taken out so I didn't want to do it myself.
I called Pep Boys and was quoted $800.
The dealer wanted $1000.
I decided on the dealer because I really didn't want Manny , Moe and Jack taking my dash apart.
I have had electrical problems ever since.
My brother has a 2001 f150 and when he saw the price to get the heater core fixed his boys said they could do it.
They had a few screws left over when they were done and now his dash rattles like a buckboard.
The whole dash had to be taken out so I didn't want to do it myself.
I called Pep Boys and was quoted $800.
The dealer wanted $1000.
I decided on the dealer because I really didn't want Manny , Moe and Jack taking my dash apart.
I have had electrical problems ever since.
My brother has a 2001 f150 and when he saw the price to get the heater core fixed his boys said they could do it.
They had a few screws left over when they were done and now his dash rattles like a buckboard.
Jimbo357mag said:"Ever replace a heater core?"
Nope.
How about an a/c condenser? I had an aftermarket one bolted under my '68 Chevy's dash. Couldn't you do the same thing with a heater core?
There is such a thing as a self contained heater with it's own blower unit. The whole thing either mounts under the dash, or bolts to the floor, depending on where you have room to put it.
They are modeled after the old (40's-early 50's) dealer-installed heaters. The last ones I saw advertised were in an old J.C.Whitney catalog, and I wouldn't be surprised if they still sold them.
DGW
Bull Barrel
Hunter
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Mechanic has my truck, quoted 4 hrs plus parts.
Freezer pugs okay. What happens is the core tends to collect junk and corrode if not flushed regularly. Previous owner must not have done it. I already replaced the radiator.
Freezer pugs okay. What happens is the core tends to collect junk and corrode if not flushed regularly. Previous owner must not have done it. I already replaced the radiator.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
DGW1949 said:
Hi,
They might still sell something along those lines. I have owners manuals for a couple of vehicles sold in both the US and Canada, and they refer to "Canadian" models now and then (admittedly, they're 20+ years old, so things may have changed.) One option available was what they call an auxiliary heater and the way the book describes it, I don't think they're referring to block heaters, but to something inside the cabin.
Might be worth some surfing to find out...
Rick C
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Under dash heater. There are lots of them on the internet. There is still plumbing and electrical to do but...
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Mojave-Aftermarket-Heater/productinfo/17290/
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Mojave-Aftermarket-Heater/productinfo/17290/
The last one I did was on a Mercury I owned. It was a dash removal job, but I refused. I planned to take the sawzall to the passengers side dash before I would remove it.
I changed it, without cutting it or taking the dash out, despite what every book, website and mechanic I spoke to said.
Sometimes I wonder if the proscribed method isn't there just to pad the bill. I had a similar thing on a Mercury my father owns, changing the fuel pump. Same thing, all the book and videos say drop the tank. I changed it with the tank in place and it wasn't even that hard. A mechanic friend couldn't believe I did it that way, I guess simply because he'd never tried.
I changed it, without cutting it or taking the dash out, despite what every book, website and mechanic I spoke to said.
Sometimes I wonder if the proscribed method isn't there just to pad the bill. I had a similar thing on a Mercury my father owns, changing the fuel pump. Same thing, all the book and videos say drop the tank. I changed it with the tank in place and it wasn't even that hard. A mechanic friend couldn't believe I did it that way, I guess simply because he'd never tried.
