it's an 85 firebird, does the heater core come out from under the dash, or do oyu have to remove it from under the hood..

also when the defrost is on, i get this wierd clicking sounds and the rpms drop for a sec...

any clue?

 

The heater core is under the pass side dash. you might get lucky like me and some and only have to remove a small black panel. However, others have to take out the whole dash.

 

I have not used my heater yet. But the other night, I got leaking from the heater core. I removed the lower panel and i cant see where it is coming from. Do i need to take the dashpad off to see better??? Is it very hard to take the core out???? I need some advice here, this is something I have not yet worked on.

Thanks

 

i have a 91 ta and mine was under the passenger dash and i had to remove the pad and the little black plastic cover, and with a little twisting and minipulating iwas able to change it. it would have been easier to take out the dash, but then you spend the time you saved puttiong the dash back together.

 

Your RPM's probably drop 'cus your A/C compressor comes on when you turn on the defrost?

 

My RPM's dont drop. I am getting more leakage now. I guess I will just destroy the dash and start digging for the problem. I checked at NAPA online and they list 2 cores, one is about 20, the other is about 60..... is there any difference, advantage, disadvantage. The only difference is warranty, that I can see.

 

I paid around $30-40 for mine from Trak Auto.

 

I had to work today and didnt get a chance to check and see where the leak is coming from..... Is there a common place for it to leak???? Do they crack??? Or is it probably just hoses/clamps and gaskets??? Just wanting to see what is common, so I am one step ahead when I get to it.

 

The tubes inside the core usually crack. The only hoses and clamps are in the engine bay.

As for replacing it...

1. Drain radiator.
2. Remove hoses to heater core in the engine bay (2 hoses going into passenger firewall, just behind the head)
3. Remove hush panel under passenger dash. Position interior light so you can use it as a flashlight
4. Remove ECM for more clearance (optional)
5. Remove heater core cover - its obvious once the hush panel has been removed.
6. Once the cover is off, you can see the core and the shroud. Remove both as an assembly.
7. Reassemble and fill coolant.

Some of the screws will be VERY difficult to get to. Make sure you have an assortment of 1/4" extensions and a wobble socket. You can also remove the dash pad to better see what you are doing.

That clicking noise you hear is from your AC compressor clutch engaging and disengaging and is normal. It should operate in all AC modes as well as defrost. The RPM's drop due to the extra load placed on the engine from the AC compressor