As the subject states, the heater core let go, during the winter no less. :o
On a scale of 1 to 10, what is the pain in the butt rating changing the core?
The car is a 2.3 with factory AC.
Thanks,
Mike
For me... 15! lol. Heater core replacement scares me. ;D I believe it's harder if you have factory a/c.
I changed mine this winter, it wasn't to bad, but I don't have A/C. I will probably end up changing the one in the 73 Wagon which has factory A/C. I know it's going to be a HUGE pain in the arse. Just after removing the glove box and looking under the dash in the heater core section almost gave me a heart attack, and I'm only 23 years old! lol
Remove the seats , remove glove box and door, remove the coin tray,,remove heater control cables,, be careful with the heater vents plastic button clips, they can break easy,, also be careful when you remove the steel clips from the heater box,, so you don`t chip it..pry them off from the rear side of the clip that faces the firewall ...disconnect heater hoses from engine bay, Id say this jobs a 6 out of 10 and will take a good part of a day to do .....
I do not have factory A/C, but as someone who has completely removed his dash and everything on the firewall, I can offer this advice:
1) There is very little room to work up under the dash. Like S&H said, you really should remove the passenger seat and the rest of his list.
2) I concur the spring clips are a pain to get off easily
3) Take some time to thoroughly clean the heater box while you are in there, they tend to "crud up" very badly. You will also most likely notice that your gaskets/seals are shot, and your metal diverters are rusty. Might want to lube the control rods.
4) Again, as S&H said, it will take the good part of a day.
Best wishes.
Chris
Mike, so what exactly happened? did it just start dripping, or did it just start filling the inside of the car quickly with coolant?
My 78 (153K miles) has the original core, but I am hoping the original hoses blow first. I want to know what to expect. :look:
I have an emergency bypass kit in the trunk if I need it. Would carrying a drip pan to put inside be of help? I have the original carpet so dont care about it that much...
When I was driving in our record snow/slush storm last week, I kept hearing fast dripping and other water related noises from the right side and it had me scared.
Luckily it was just the snow and slush.
Car has always had good antifreeze, but corrosion could still happen...
I first noticed the windshield and windows had a greasy film, and it now seems as though the heater core leaked a LITTLE for quite a while and let the vapors grease up the joint.
Seems as though the slow leak was taken care of either by evaporation, or mixing with the leaking cowl drips.
I got in the car yesterday morning and saw a yellow green puddle on the passenger floormat.
Just got out, shook my head and got in the truck to go to work.
As I get into it, I will update.
More, as the stomach turns.
That's not what I wanted to hear.... :mad:
Okay, as soon as i start seeing the greasy fog or smell coolant in the summer, the car will be parked. That would be a disaster if you were driving it.
I am almost afraid to change my radiator cap and fix the leaks around the radiator neck this spring... It might build up normal pressure afterwards and blow the core! :nocool: