Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) heater core time to change

[Swineheart]

I have noticed a smell of anti-freeze in the cab when the blower is on high. Also get a funky film on the front window. I haven't had to add any anti-freeze and can't find any leaks. I'am not looking forward to diving into that project. How much work is involved in changing the heater core?

 

[GCroyle]

I considered it a PITA job, get issue 59 and read Joe's how to. I think at some times it should be two man job being on both sides of the firewall at the same time. I also got a bit of extra room by sectioning aside a chunk of the heavy firewall insulation, you need all the room you can get to clear the lines for the new core. We just did it last weekend.

 

[The patriot]

If it's just the HC youre doing it's not too bad. You dont have to remove the HVAC box out of the dash. (which was a HUGE PITA)

You can pretty much pull the dash back far enough to slip it out the top of the HVAC box.

Yea, it's tight but it beats pulling the whole unit out.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Get the replacement heater core from Napa with the swivel heater core tubes, makes it easier to install the new one. Did this job on the '96, it's a PITA, pretty much figure it taking all day.

 

[hsmith]

Also it is a good time to check all the vacuum servos for oil contamination. I had two that were "lazy". I also replaced all the insulation around the blend doors at the same time. Had the entire box out and apart. You will have to evac and recharge the ac also.

Less than half day for me, but then I do this for a living, not much of one, but a living.

 

[nascar mark]

It's not a bad job at all. Don't let it scare you. We did one in the shop recently in 2. 5hrs for one man. Gary and Vaughn have some good advise in their post.

 

[Glen Pratt]

You might also want to replace the A/C evaporator while you have the dash out. Being your truck is a 1997 it would suck to do all that work and have to do it again for an A/C evaporator leak. Just my 2 cents. -Glen

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

How often to they really go bad? The one on my '96 looked OK, truck had 408,000 on it when I did the heater core. AC works great.

 

[The patriot]

My 98 started leaking about 2 summers back.

I finally got to it this summer.

 

[kenny61]

mine went 2 or 3 years ago. it is parked outside and the leaves got into the box. when i pulled it out it was leaking in a bottom corner where all the leaves had gathered. I think it was a combination of moisture and acid from the leaves

 

[The patriot]

Mine looked virtually new... . other than the tell tale oil seepage on the evaporator.

I keep up pretty good on the debris on the intake.

 

[hsmith]

I did the evap at the same time too. They leak more when not in service and is hard to detect a leak there most times.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

it's easy and you don't need 2 people. just get in and get after it

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

There's tons of leaves that fall on my '96, small ones from a white birch, but I didn't find a single leaf in the HVAC system anywhere when I took it apart.

 

[BHuebner]

#ad


The job wasnt as bad as i was prepared for. like everyone says if its just the heater core, theres enough room to pull the dash back w/o messin with the a/c. i pulled my seat to have the d side repatched & clean the carpet.



i also pulled the blower motor on the p side (3 8mm bolts) had some leaves in there.



If by chance you break the plastic retainers that hold the dash in under the windshield. its part#6504485ab

 

[The patriot]

There's tons of leaves that fall on my '96, small ones from a white birch, but I didn't find a single leaf in the HVAC system anywhere when I took it apart.

I dont get a lot of leaves where my truck is normally parked.

I was all set to get the citrus solvent and wash the insides out. To my surprise, it was nearly spotless in mine.

All I've done was keep whatever leaves that flee in the cowl area off, and about once every month or two (two in the winter) I sprayed Lysol (any brand really Walmart, Kmart etc. etc. )or something similar in the intake while running the fan.

Been using Oust lately on recommendation of a duct guy .

We got more pine needles than leaves here. I didnt find any of those either.

 

[kenny61]

Now that I remember it was my evaporator that went not the heater core

 

[Swineheart]

read the tdr issue

Thanks for the input guys I did buy a heater core with swivel tubes. I also reread the back issue on the replacement. I am going to dive into it this weekend and get it done.

 

[WPeschel]

Here is a thread that I started a while back. . You definately want to evac the ac so you can get the box out and see how dirty your evap core is. . Take a look at the pics in the thread you will know what i'm talkin about. . Also I put a proaliance heater core from rockauto.com and it only lasted about 7 months and started leaking again. . I just replaced it with a mopar unit from Moparpartsamerica.com. . I hope it lasts, it's not to bad of a job. .

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...eater-core-evap-core-how-too.html#post1907955

 

[GrantP]

I had the same experience with the proliance heater core from rockauto. Mine lasted more like 3 months... avoid them (proliance, not rock auto).