eng208

Has anyone replaced a heater core without breaking the A/C system? I have the dash loose and pulled forward, but I didn't really want to tear into the AC unit. I got the old heater core out, I disconnected the hoses and then cut the metal lines and lifted the core out of the box. Was wanting some ideas on how to get the new one back together. I thought about cutting the metal lines and splicing it with some good quality hose and stainless clamps. That would make replacement in the future easier, and the chance of hoses leaking there would be no higher than a leaking hose under the hood.
Any suggestions?
Chris

mrclean

That was quite a feat, getting that core out without taking out the entire box! IMO, you'll be further ahead to just empty the AC and remove the whole unit. Most likely the AC evaporator will fail sooner rather than later, and you'd be doing the job over again. HTH

tinbanger

NOOOOO dont do it. i just did mine like 4 months ago. if you buy the dodge one you are screwed, i bought one fron the local parts house(knecths) and the lines rotate 360deg.i just destroyed the old one(its bad anyway)getting it out, so as not to have to remove the heater box. you have to remove the little foam divider right were the lines pass through the firewall to get the new one in, but it can be done.

it is kind of a trick to get the new one in even with the ratating lines, it took me while, a coupl eof beers, but all of the sudden it just fell in.

good luck.

torquefan

Sounds like you are doing it the hard way, by far. I have done dozens of these and it's not a bad job, taking the HVAC unit right out and splitting it apart on the shop floor. I enjoy it. That way you can clean out the mouse poop and dog hair, mop up the coolant, and have a look at the evaporator.

tinbanger

Shoot.... sound like i should have called you to do mine, took me like 5 hours and it wasn't fun, i'm shure that i would be lots faster the second time around though.

torquefan

After a couple of them, you'll be a pro.