Heater Core...

[Chrisssssssss]

OK, hey

This car is getting me to the end of my ropes. It seems that I never can have it working properly. I think that I might sell it and buy a Honda. I am going to put a really big wing, lots of decals, and the biggst fart can that I can find.

I was driving down the road yesterday and then just after I finished picking up my date, I see steam on the window with a fresh sweet smell of coolant. I pulled over and looked at my car, and there was antifreeze spewing from the backside of the engine. I could not tell where it was coming from, so I just drove it to where we were going and let it sit for the evening. I filled it back up with coolant and drove it home when it was cooler.

I am thinking that it is either one of those rear heater hoses, or the heater core. There was coolant steaming up from the vents when I has the defrost on, and when it was off, then only a little bit of steam was coming out of the vents. If it was only a hose, then there would not be any steam from the vents right?

So I think that it is the heater core, but until I get into it, I can't really tell. I haven't even looked at it yet. I am fed up with this car and tired of fixing it. Any ideas? I just want one week without this thing causing me grief.

I understand that it is a bizneich to do the heater core. Is there any procedure or instructions around that will help guide me? What do I have to do for this?

<small>[ July 22, 2002, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: Chrisssssssss ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

If you're lucky, the problem is only the connection of the heater hoses to the core. The leak and cause coolant to spray/leak through the firewall holes and cause it to end up in the heater box.

Use a small inspection mirror and flashlight to inspect the connections with the system pressurized and heated up.

If there is no evidence of leaking there, look for coolant draining out the AC condensate drain below the lower evaporator line. If coolant is coming out there, the core is leaking.

GFL

The heater core was my first project on my 89. No fun.

Steve
89

 

[pjtoledo]

If you do have to replace the heater core, use lots of baggies, tape, and markers to label EVERYTHING!! Lots of stuff has to come off, its a lot easier going back together if labeled.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[pete c]

If it is the core, I would think the coolant leak would be in the car. Sounds like a loose/cracked hose. I would remove the hood. It is easy and makes looking at the back side of the motor a **** of a lot easier.

 

[Chrisssssssss]

Where would I be looking if it were inside the car? on the passenger side floor? It was coming through the vents pretty good when I had the defrost on. Not much when the ETAC was OFF.

 

[pete c]

Beats da **** outta me!!! I would jut assume that since the core is behind the fire wall, it would leak into the car.

 

[CheckerSHO]

If coolant is leaking from the heater core itself, coolant may not get into the passenger compartment. It will come out where the a/c evap. drain is under the car(where water normally drips out of with the a/c on).

 

[projectSHO89]

Like CheckerSHO said, it will leak out the AC condensate drain, not into the passenger compartment.

At least Ford did something right when the designed the heater box on the Taurus.

Steve
89

 

[Chrisssssssss]

OK, I took it to my mrchanic buddy and he said that he was 99% sure that it is the core. Let's say that it is. Since it is the middle of the summer and I don't need the heat right now, would it be relatively easy to bypass the core for now, at least until I have time to pull it apart to fix it properly? Suggestions? Ideas? Comments? Insults? Lemme have 'em!

 

[Slo-Sho]

Yes, you can bypass the two hoses going into the firewall with a union. The whole dash has to come out for access to the core, not a fun job. Whatever you decide to do, you might as well do it now, cause when winter comes it definately won't be fun working on it. I hate working on a car in cold weather! shoot

 

[Tim Schloz II]

when i bought my 91 it needed a heater core that was the reason i got it so cheap($500) the dealership gave the previos owner a quote of like 700-900 to correct it. i looked it up in a labor manual it said it takes like 9hrs. when i replaced it i had it done in 1.5 hrs i didnt unhook wiring or anything didnt even take the dash all the way out just left it all hooked up and layed it on the seats. if you have anyquestions just ask

 

[Chrisssssssss]

HMMM, So Tim, What did you do... Where exactly is the core? I think it was somewhere in the middle of the dash?

So you think that it is not that bad to replace? I can get a core for a really good price, but I am just worried about having to do it, and not getting it done. Do you remember the steps that you took to do this job (approximately?) I need the car to go on a trip and I was just thinking about bypassing it for a bit until I can get into it. I am pretty handy and usually do well for finding cutting corners.

 

[Tim Schloz II]

The core is just to the right of the radio/climatecontrol i paid about 30 dollars for mine from advanced auto. Any questions just ask

 

[Tim Schloz II]

It was pretty easy to do the, the reason people say it takesd so long is because most people remove the gauge cluster to remove the speedo cable, since i have small hands i just reached back behind the dash and got it lose. By not removing ther cluster it saved alot of time. i could walk you through if you want to. I would say no nmore than 3 hours max.

 

[CheckerSHO]

Chrisssssssss:
HMMM, So Tim, What did you do... Where exactly is the core? I think it was somewhere in the middle of the dash?

So you think that it is not that bad to replace? I can get a core for a really good price, but I am just worried about having to do it, and not getting it done. Do you remember the steps that you took to do this job (approximately?) I need the car to go on a trip and I was just thinking about bypassing it for a bit until I can get into it. I am pretty handy and usually do well for finding cutting corners.

Mine is currently bypassed...looks like it wasnt as simple as running a hose from one place to the other...mine has a few 90 degree fittings n stuff in it...havnt looked real close maybe there is an easier way. its a helluva lot easier than replacing the core though thumbs_u

 

[Tim Schloz II]

I had mine bypassed for awhile but then it just got to cold not to have heat. it wont hurt anything but you gonna have to replace it sooner or later.

 

[CheckerSHO]

Tim Schloz II:
when i bought my 91 it needed a heater core that was the reason i got it so cheap($500) the dealership gave the previos owner a quote of like 700-900 to correct it. i looked it up in a labor manual it said it takes like 9hrs. when i replaced it i had it done in 1.5 hrs i didnt unhook wiring or anything didnt even take the dash all the way out just left it all hooked up and layed it on the seats. if you have anyquestions just ask

Id be interested in knowing what all had to come loose just to do what you did...im going to have to do mine soon . does the a/c have to be evacuated to do the heater core?

 

[Chrisssssssss]

I don't think the AC has anything to do with the core because right now, I have mine bypassed and then I will be putting in a new one ($40 cdn) from Lordco when I get back from my trip to Cali (Mt Shasta) for a family houseboating thing.

 

[projectSHO89]

does the a/c have to be evacuated to do the heater core?

Yes, and the lines have to be disconnected from the evaporator in order to remove the heater box from the car.

Steve
89

 

[pete c]

Tim Schloz II:
...since i have small hands i just ...

you know what they say about small hands, don't ya? Well, I got small hands too. Sux. frown