Hey guys,

I had the problem of a leaking heater core coolant all over the car and every thing so i got a new one and i am trying to get the old one off i am reading the tech article and it is not helping a whole lot. i found the box that houses it and got out all but the side bolt.
the top one i had to have my mom get because she has small er hands. It is on a 1991 z28 so i have heard it is a little more involved, and i am realizing that.

I have tacken off the kick panal dash pad and even un mounted the dash so that i can pull it back to give me a little more room. but i still just cant get to that last size bolt and nither can any of my smaller handed family members.

Please help suggestions would be great is there a trick a step i missed or am i using the wrong tool is there a good tool to use for this. i am using a wratcheting screwdriver with the flexing snake atachment, but i still just cant line it up and get it out

Pleas help, thanks

Raptere
Eli Jacobson

 

I used a 1/4" ratchet with just the socket and slowly turned that damn screw for about 20 mins. till it finally dropped. Then I had a horrible back ache. This is by far the hardest part when changing the heater core, and a little tip to re-installing the new one... leave that screw out.

It will take some time, but I have faith in you.

 

thanks i actually got the cover and old one off. Now i am trying to figure out how to get the ports from the new one to fit through the wholes in the fire wall dosent seem to line up rite or something. also ended up needing to cut the hoses off from the engine compartment, they just wouldnt come of so i need the new ones any one know how much thoes run? Any other tips for putting it all back together?

Ps dont be fooled it is reasonable to do it on the earlier third gens 91/92 i believe were much harder and dont forget which i did that even when the heat is off if you start the engine with the heatercoil disconnected it will spew coolent every where.

Thanks
raptere
Eli Jacobson

and for all the others looking at this post atleast vote on the pole on the top of this page and feel free to post about it

 

to get that bolt out i took the ac duct out and to fit the ports thru the holes at the same time i had to bend one of them a tad and have a buddy guide the things thru the holes

 

so it is safe to bend the copper piping a little to make it fit through the holes in the wall?

 

Yes it is safe to bend them just a little, but dont get carried away. You should only have to bend it a tad as diaz said.

Just go to the parts store and tell them you need about 10 feet of heater hose. It shouldnt be more than 15 bucks.

And yes, the coolant will spew out of the pipes with the motor running even with the heater off. Coolant is always flowing through the heater core regardless of the HVAC controls settings. If you still need to drive while in the process of changing the heater core out, just find a piece of pipe and some clamps to join the two hoses together. Or just route the pipe from the water pump straight to the radiator.

 

thanks again for the follow up into but i noticed the input piping and the output piping are different sizes do you happen to know how large id or od they are

 

Should be 5/8" or 3/4". Just take the old hoses to the parts store when you go, they will match them up. I just used 3/4" all around, no problems yet.

 

Please help me i just cant get the hose off of the metal pipt on the retutn line to the heater core not one the core it self but the mettal tube that goes back to the radiator

i tried heating it which is hard to do and i tried to drmel ( grind ) off the clamp but i just cant get it off and there is no room to work there pleas help

thanks
eli Jacobson
raptere

 

usually all it takes to remove them old stubborn hoses is a twist. take a pair of channel locks and grab the hose with them. twist the hose till it spins freely on the pipe or fitting then pull it off. thats how i do it anyway!

 

thanks but it wont even twist

idont think the space i have to work in in our cars is Realy small

 

Well I finaly finished it and it works, so thanks every one for all of the help and tips.

That is a job i hope to never have to do again three days after school total about 15 hours

Eli Jacobson
Raptere