Changing heater core

[HeRo]

Hey guys I'm sure I've seen it somewhere but I can't find the link to change the heater core.

Anyway is it really difficult? Is it DIY level? And do we really need to take out the entire dash to change it? I have the bottom console exposed and can see the heater core box. If I unscrew the box can I access the heater core and swap it out?

I was quoted $600 in labor to swap it. Fark

[shadowarrior]

People have accessed it without taking the entire dash off. So yes, it is do-able. It's just a pain in the ass job for the amount of things you have to take apart to get to it. And then the rubber pipes of the heater core breaking when you try to install. So have to be careful and patient while doing the job, that's it.

[dstocks]

Actually,that depends. Do you want to have to degass your aircon. If no, then dash out. If you dont mind degassing aircon at the 100+ cost of getting it regassed, then you may manage it. Problem is that the units next to the heater core have to come out and most of those are held on by nuts on top of the units.This makes getting to those nuts very difficult without taking the dash out. In someways I think it would be quicker to take the dash out. Is an absolute prick of a job. Having done it a number of times now, ive got it down to about 1.5 hours. First time, expect to take 3 hours. This is why you are being quoted that much labour. If you dont want to degas, undo all nuts on units and you can squeeze the unit to the right of the evaporator unit (black) and to the left of the unit with the heater core in it.

[silverGPX]

Evaporator nuts come undone easy with a flexi extension.

[dstocks]

and if you know where they are and if you are a contortionist. Tried to get at them that way and failed and I knew where the nuts were.

[Supplanter]

Some people are just better at handling awkward nuts than others.

[dstocks]

Must be true. Certainly not my forte.

[silverGPX]

Haha I had at flexi with 3 hard quarter drive extenders. Its only one nut!

[silverGPX]

Hardest part is putting the pipes on the core while its in its slot in the dash.

[silverGPX]

Cos u cant put the core in with the pipes on it lol

[dstocks]

Do it the other way and you can

[HeRo]

Yeah thanks guys. I had a look; could I temporarily take out the hoses out the firewall in the engine bay and connect them so it doesn't go through heater core? Seems like a good temp fix but I'm afraid of simply tugging the hoses out in fear that my car will self destruct

[dstocks]

Yes you can. Just join the hoses together. Ive used a 19mm elbow irrigation fitting before

[HeRo]

Do I just pull it out of the firewall? Won't risk damage of anything inside?

[dstocks]

Nope. The hoses only go a cm or so through the firewall. They are pressed onto plastic fittings that come out of the firewall. The plastic fittings have a tendency of snapping, so try and be gentle. I tend to try and rotate them on the pipe first to loosen them before trying to pull them off.

[HeRo]

Yup got it thanks! I don't have a mechanic background so whenever I achieve anything with cars I.e. changing radiator I feel satisfied haha

[dstocks]

Yeah, im like that too. Changing an engine over gives you a real buzz. Particularly if it starts....

[Chebus]

Replacing a timing belt, turning the key, it doesn't explode! Best feeling

[dstocks]

But not the best feeling 5 seconds before turning the key.

[HeRo]

Worst feeling - getting brave and jumping into the deep end not knowing what to do and by the end of it don't even care if the problem is fixed but just want your car back together!