Heater core failure.

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

Well, as luck would have it. My heater core failed. ******* coolant out of the ac drain and strong A/F smell from vents. I've got it bypassed right now but I do need to get this taken care of before the end of sept so I can have defrost to clear the fog from the morning dew. I can somewhat easily do the whole dash removal thing but I felt it necessary to ask if there is another way to get this thing out w/o pulling the dash. I've read about some cutting method then using HVAC tape to seal the heater plenum back up.

what are your thoughts? pull whole dash or try a shortcut? Would also like to know of which brands to avoid when I do purchase a core..

 

[stamp11127]

It isn't as bad as people make it sound just a bunch of screws. There are a few videos on youtube that you should watch prior to the repair. I used a portable impact which really speeds thing up along with the sewing storage containers mentioned in the videos. The biggest ***** was the one screw at the lower part of the plenum for the feet - you can't see it. Also you don't have to "remove" the dash just swing it into the passenger seat. If your seats are motorized move both of them back before disconnecting the battery.

 

[spud]

Let me tell you this much. While your replacing that heater core there is a flapper door and a motor that control it, replace them all at the same time if you do not know how long they have been in there. Them flapper doors the end breaks that slides into the control motor rendering your AC useless. Parts are not that much but the time involved to get to them is a pain so while you already have it apart save yourself a future headache.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

thanks for the "while you're in there" tip. it's kinda the reason I make a post when these things go wrong so someone that has done it before can chime in if I'm missing something.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

After watching the video from realfixesrealfast, he only mentions the blend door. How often does the blend door actuator fail? I've only had one fail in a previous car but that was just a cold solder joint and was fixed easily (after accessing the part)

 

[jfriesen]

I need to do the same repair to my 99 EB 4x4 late this summer early fall...so any information would be greatly appreciated. I am also planning on doing the 'while your in there' fixes.

Was going to take the time with the dash apart to do the solder fix to the mileage gauge as my fades in and out.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

the cluster isn't too difficult to get to, four (8 or so mm) bolts hold it in after you get the two trim pieces off.

I am likely to just do the blend door unless someone chimes in with some failure rates of the motor. the door and motor are about $20 and $30 a piece respectively.