I have 92 camaro RS v8

Today my heatercore decided to leak, so i took it to the mechanic since i didnt have time to research how to fix it and fix it myself.....

my question is, do you have to remove the dash, the centerconsole, and the intrament panel....because freaking mechanic cracked the dashpad, cracked the plastic bezal on the centerconsole, left the lights for the instrument cluster disconnected, and didnt put the centerconsole back together!!!
thanx

 

MY HEATER CORE BLEW AND I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO GET FIXED. NOW WHENEVER I TRY TO USE THE HEATER IT DOESNT COME ON , DOES ANYONE KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH IT

 

For '86 Camaros you don't have to remove the dash, mine didn't just a small black panel underneath. However, every other year I've heard of has to remove the dash.
As for the other question not having the heater work, does the fan come on? If not make sure the wire to the fan motor is hooked up.

 

The heater core can beaccessed by either removing the right dash panel lower trim and right dash anchor bolt (without removing the upper dash pad) or by removing the upper dash pad to access the top core case screw. The instrument cluster and center console do not have to be removed in either case.

Personally, I wouldn't accept the car until it was repaired correctly. It's really no different than if they had dropped it off a lift and totalled it while changing a muffler, just a matter of degree. Damage is damage, and you can't be expected to accept that kind of work just because they say so. Talk to the shop manager and tell him/her your position, and see what they say. Don't be confrontational - it won't get you anywhere. Just explain the situation and what you expect them to do to repair it.

 

iroc_cragg, check in the back of the lever used to turn on the heat for a wire unplugged, but more likely its a vacuum line under the hood causing the vent for the heater to remain closed.

Same thing happened to me last year when i changed mine.

------------------
--Matt
82CamaroZ28

 

I'd threaten to sue the **** out of him if he didn't fix it and repair everything he tore up.

From my experience, you do not HAVE to remove the center console, but it certainly helps. In order to get enough room to swap heater cores, you will need to LOOSEN the ENTIRE dash. This means removing the dashpad and loosening the steering column (don't have to remove the instrument cluster)

 

Damn, I agree with Vader and Pukka...It sux to replace a heater core, I have done it . But still a mechanic shouldnt tear up your car doing it, he might not of known what he got himself into. Still, make them pay for what THEY jacked up....IMO

rocc

 

I've done the heater core twice in my 92 RS.Didn't remove the dashpad either time. It can all be done from underneath (with your head in the passenger footwell), but that top bolt in the heater core cover is tough.
-Rich-

 

Rich,

That's exactly what I have been telling everyone. All you have to do is remove the lower right dash panel mounting bolt and flex the dash panel back toward the seat about an inch (50mm for the rest of you). This allows you to get a ¼" ratchet and extensions with 7 mil socket onto the upper case screw, and get the case apart without removing the dash pad. I can't understand at all why anyone would need to even go near the center console or I/P. ¿?

It tales me longer to get the freakin' hoses on the outlet tubes in the engine compartment than to change the core. Really nice how much space the ISN'T back there, huh?

 

the mechanic said it was 6 hour job, for that car,

he said it was one of the hardest models to ge to the core,

 

I am not intimately familiar with the Camaro dash, but on my '86 T/A, the whole dash had to be moved, including dropping the steering column and unbolting, but not disconnecting the instrument cluster.
Not counting time to run to the parts store for new heater hoses, it took about 6 hours, 4 skinned knuckles, and having to shampoo spilled coolant out of the carpet and my hair.
Most difficlult part is trying to figure out where the extra screws came from

 

I did mine on my 86 Trans Am last year, accessed everything from underneath the pass side, took about 45 minutes.

Today I helped do an 86 Camaro.
Had to remove the dashpad and loosen the dash on the pass side to get clearance to the top bolt of the heater box.
There was no way around it. That took the longest time.
Total of 3 hours taking our time.

 

SC 86,

That's odd, since it took me about 45 minutes to change mine, and the last time I checked mine was still an '86 TA:

 

Well, that's what I get for paying attention to my service manual.
Next time, ill try it your way. With any luck, (knocks on wood) there won't be a next time (crosses fingers)..........

:hail: Vader

 

i changed mine in august. it wasn't that hard but the top bolt is much easier if you remove the dashpad. all i loosened was the dashpad and the passenger side and pulled it out enough to get my hands back there. it took me 4 hours plus 2 trips to the parts store. first one leaked on me. have fun it's pretty tight on the back of the head where the hoses hook up.