Hey guys,
So I just finished up a heater core replacement and I thought I would do a write up and add some pictures of the process. I want to start by saying I do not consider myself a mechanic. I have had my LC for almost a year now and learned how to do a lot to the LC since then (mainly from write ups on here). Before owing my LC I didn't work on vehicles very much. My knowledge consisted of changing my own oil and an alternator replacement on other vehicles I have owned. I say all that to say, if I can do this anyone can.
At first this job seems very intimidating but I really didn't think it was that bad. I believe it helps to look at this as a big puzzle of screws and bolts. If something doesn't come loose or pop out then you have missed a screw and you have to find it.
I couldn't find a good write up on here on how to do this. I did however use '94 heater core R/R - done as a reference for pictures. I hope that with that link and my below pictures it will make this job easier.
So things to know: This job took me several days to complete. I spent about 3 hours a night for 5 nights to disassemble. I also had help several of those nights from @KrOswalt ( Thanks again man ). People that say they can do this in an hour or less are full of s***. They key for me during this job was staying organized and taking pictures along the way to see the placement of wires and layout. I highly suggest labeling every screw/bolt/nut that you take out so you know where it goes in the reassembly (There are a lot of them).
The process: we started with taking the panel below the steering wheel off and the fuse box. We then took the glove box and passenger speaker out. You will have to take the steering wheel apart and drop the steering wheel in order to take the gauge cluster and dash out. The tricky part was popping the clock, and vents out. Be patient and use credit cards ( or something similar) to help with the process. From there it's just taking screws and bolts loose. Once the dash is out you will have to take the support brace out. It helps to undo the brackets it connects to to give you more room to get it out. Personally I grinded the support down and put primer on it because mine had a lot of rust on it. From there you will be able to get the heater core and evaporator core out. Many people say it is possible to get the heater core out without removing the evaporator core but we did not see how that was possible. In order to get the evaporator core out you will have to take the hard lines loose under the hood. When you do this freon will leak out so be ready for a great head high if you breath in to much of it. I did this in my garage, the wife was not happy.... But it has to be done which also means that you will have to refill the freon in order to have cool air with the AC. While under the hood you will have to discount the heater lines that run to the heater core. Once all of that is done you can remove the heater core and AC evaporator core.
I had my heater core completely rebuilt for $325. It was leaking from the pipe of all places but had a lot of corrosion in one of the corners. I figured to be safe I should have the entire thing rebuilt. I don't want to have to do this again anytime soon.
I hope this helps guys. In the end, just get started and you'll see it's not as hard as you think. If you have any questions I will do my best to help. Good luck!
So I just finished up a heater core replacement and I thought I would do a write up and add some pictures of the process. I want to start by saying I do not consider myself a mechanic. I have had my LC for almost a year now and learned how to do a lot to the LC since then (mainly from write ups on here). Before owing my LC I didn't work on vehicles very much. My knowledge consisted of changing my own oil and an alternator replacement on other vehicles I have owned. I say all that to say, if I can do this anyone can.
At first this job seems very intimidating but I really didn't think it was that bad. I believe it helps to look at this as a big puzzle of screws and bolts. If something doesn't come loose or pop out then you have missed a screw and you have to find it.
I couldn't find a good write up on here on how to do this. I did however use '94 heater core R/R - done as a reference for pictures. I hope that with that link and my below pictures it will make this job easier.
So things to know: This job took me several days to complete. I spent about 3 hours a night for 5 nights to disassemble. I also had help several of those nights from @KrOswalt ( Thanks again man ). People that say they can do this in an hour or less are full of s***. They key for me during this job was staying organized and taking pictures along the way to see the placement of wires and layout. I highly suggest labeling every screw/bolt/nut that you take out so you know where it goes in the reassembly (There are a lot of them).
The process: we started with taking the panel below the steering wheel off and the fuse box. We then took the glove box and passenger speaker out. You will have to take the steering wheel apart and drop the steering wheel in order to take the gauge cluster and dash out. The tricky part was popping the clock, and vents out. Be patient and use credit cards ( or something similar) to help with the process. From there it's just taking screws and bolts loose. Once the dash is out you will have to take the support brace out. It helps to undo the brackets it connects to to give you more room to get it out. Personally I grinded the support down and put primer on it because mine had a lot of rust on it. From there you will be able to get the heater core and evaporator core out. Many people say it is possible to get the heater core out without removing the evaporator core but we did not see how that was possible. In order to get the evaporator core out you will have to take the hard lines loose under the hood. When you do this freon will leak out so be ready for a great head high if you breath in to much of it. I did this in my garage, the wife was not happy.... But it has to be done which also means that you will have to refill the freon in order to have cool air with the AC. While under the hood you will have to discount the heater lines that run to the heater core. Once all of that is done you can remove the heater core and AC evaporator core.
I had my heater core completely rebuilt for $325. It was leaking from the pipe of all places but had a lot of corrosion in one of the corners. I figured to be safe I should have the entire thing rebuilt. I don't want to have to do this again anytime soon.
I hope this helps guys. In the end, just get started and you'll see it's not as hard as you think. If you have any questions I will do my best to help. Good luck!
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