Ok, so there was a topic for the heater core replacement for A/C cars but not really one for non A/C....So here goes!

Est. Time 30 mins (45 mins with black goo and taking pics)
Diff. 4/10 or so



So above is the ONLY area you will need to access, through the front trunk/boot/hood.... Mine has the sunroof rack and that is easy to remove, 3 screws. 2 at each end and on in the middle.



That out of the way opens up a bunch of space and a clear view as in this picture. The good news there is plenty of room to work and no need to remove the windshield washer fluid reservoir.



So here is where the heater core is. The 2 tubes enter and exit here. Mine had this black sticky gum like substance around the holes that made things a couple steps away a PAIN! You will need to remove a large panel here. You can see the outline of the panel and 2 screws in the picture that you will be removing soon in the picture.



So next I removed the black goo from hell with a knife and a LOT of patience (about 10mins) so you don't lose a finger. If yours does not have this you are in good shape. Now you can go ahead and clamp off the hoses. Jazzman in the A/C used the items below but I used what I had, 2 long nose vice grips. Just don't set them too loose or you will lose coolant, or too tight and damage the hoses or close them where there is a cutting edge on some near the handle end. I felt where the end of the tubes were inside the hoses and went about 1 inch down from there just so I would not make it too tight or make it hard to get back together. Once you have them clamped off just loosen the hose clamps (I did not remove them, just slid them down out of the way to make it easier to work.



Next, since I am tossing the core I just took a clamp and crushed the pipe inside one way, then the opposite way (you could anything that will crush it without damaging the hoses). This loosened the hose off the ends really easy. As you can see I found a great use for the black goo, I plugged the core so that it will not spill too much. If I ever have to do this I would undo the lower first and just drain it all out first. I did not think of it till after the top was undone (it might be a pain to try to get to the lower one with the upper one there).






Now both hoses are undone and I have went ahead and undone the panel. You will need to remove a large panel here. The panel is a bit heavy due to the blower motor and such being attached on the driver’s side. There are 7 screws spaced pretty well, only one is kind of hidden from view in the middle. They are all the same size (7 or 8 mill socket) and I recommend a screwdriver type to get them off. They are easy to find. The blower motor and fan will come out as well and it’s a good time to clean it out of any debris and dirt. It is also a good Idea to undo the washer fluid tube and pinch it with anything so you don’t lose the fluid. I disconnected the hose at the white valve (I think it’s a back flow valve). It just gets it out of the way.

On we go.....



Here is a picture with the panel laid out. You can see where everything is and that is the new core installed.



So this is the new core in!!!!!!!!! (The pic of the old one in there did not turn out) Once you had the panel open and the hoses off you just remove the one screw and weird shaped bracket (7 or 8 mill socket again) and it slides out, that easy! While you have the old one out mop up coolant with some towels (I recommend paper towels) and get it as dry as possible. Move the slider inside to heat and cool to get the last drops.

So just slide the new one in carefully and put the funky bracket back in and put the screw in and it’s in there. Get the panel back on and get those screws in and secured.



Once you are done that, slide the bottom hose on as far as you can get it (at least past the bump an inch) and tighten the hose clamp. Then get your funnel with a hose and fill the core up until its full (it’s not much at all) and then put the top on the same way. Make sure that the clamps are tight and you are good to go.

Put the sunroof rack back in if you have it, its uber easy to do.

And you are done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


KIN

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