Heater Core

GMAN

GMAN

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Who has done this? For me the easy part is over. I pulled the entire dash. For me what seems difficult, perhaps because of the tight place. On my gen one, everything is so tight and close. What's the best way to get at the heater hoses connected to the heater core? They are down at the bottom. If anyone has done this job, some tips would be nice.
 
Loosen the hoses on the engine side and then try and spin them so the other clamps are pointing up. Otherwise, just pull REALLY hard and the hose will slide off. If you have to do that though, make sure you inspect it really well before reinstalling, just in case you damaged it.
 
When I had my van I broke both tubes off of the body of the core and pulled the hoses out that way. Easy as pie since you aren't reusing the core. Had I been more patient I would have taken a Dremel to it.
 
buy a set of hose clamp pliers, the kind with the long cable. This was the only way i could get the clamps loose from the heater core itself. Its a very tight space but I could get my hands down between the motor and the firewall.

If you already have the dash out then take the bolts loose from the heater core cover and pull it out. Be careful though, there may still be coolant in it and you might spill it.
 
Take a picture of what you're working with. It seems like the only people responding to this have done it on Gen 2's only. I'm assuming Gen 1's might be different.
 
Ok, here's some pics I just took of where I am. From inside the car, you can see the AC Box. I removed the blend door actuator, and there's nothing wrong with it. Just the heater core. Right below where the blend door goes, I removed the panel below the blend door actuator and I can see the back side of the heater core.
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On the engine side, my problem is the the hose tighteners are turned down, which means they've been on since the beginning. My hands are big this space is tight. What's the best way to get at this? Also, is there something holding it in the box? It seems like it's going to take some doing to get out.
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I have the same problem with my mark.. I grabbed them with a pair of needle nose vice grips and hauled ass I can almost get a flat head on it.
 
When I replaced my heater core I just cut the hoses enough until I could turn the hose clamps and the hoses to get them off. It took a little more time but after I got everything off from inside the engine I just pushed the heater core out and I was done. I also grounded the heater core. I do remember that I could only get one of the hoses that had the stock bends and had to cut the other to match the bends of the other hose. I also didn't pull the entire dash out either.
 
I am most likely going to have to jack the car up, go underneath it, and use a two long extensions and probably a swivel to get to it. Either way, it is going to suck.
 
The car I did it on used spring clamps, not that kind. That sucks. You may just want to cut the hoses off and pull it through to the car. Then, just replace the hoses.
 
I Almost Did a Ripped Camel!

Well, I finally got the the dang hose clamps off. I had to take my saws all to it, and and I damn near did a ripped camel in the process. Good thing I have a parts car. :p
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you could have saved a ton of aggrivation by unbolting the trans from the cross member, then jacking up on the trans, it would have tilted your engine forward, giving you lots of room to get your arms behind the block!!! too late now. nice valve cover too by the way
 
Why does everyone here take out anger on valve covers? I just punch the dashboard or something.
 
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