Someone recently suggested that I cut out part of the housing to remove my heater core, then replace and tape or glue in the piece I cut out. Does anyone know if this will work on my specific vehicle? Any help would be greatly appreciated. The dash is already pulled away from the firewall, but replacing it the right way seems to be a nightmare.

 

If you've already cut the dash loose, your more than half way there.. Drivers side unbolted, and dropped the column down? Problem is that the heater cover is screwed down on top and holds/supports the inlet/outlet pipe, angled as well... If the dash is already pulled away, you can drop it all the way downand 'back' on the passenger side releasing only some of the wire harnesses in the right kick panel area for needed room.. It's a tight squeeze, and a bit of a nightmare, but the core WILL come out without removing the dash completely but has to lowered as far down as possible, and as far backwards as well.. The heater core has pretty long/angled coolant tubes, and pulling it out of a cut opening would be more workthan dropping the dash down when you factor in a repair to the box..

 

The problem is I'm no mechanic although I try, and I don't know how to get the housing apart to get to it. Does anything other than the hoses need to be undone under the hood? I have A/C and things are very tough to get at in that area. I'm getting really frustrated on this job, and am about to just put it back together and sell it as is.

 

Understand your frustration...They are not any fun to do..

The nut/s that you see from the engine compartment hold the 'flanged' studs in place and don't really need to be loosened.. They are double sided studs pulling the heater plenium and A/C evaporator core housings together.. The nuts inside on the heater plenium are the only ones you need to take loose... I high lighted the nuts to take off from the inside.. The upper nut is behind the blend door motor, kind of tough to get at.. Even more so if you don't have the dash pulled away and back..Also, a pic showing the heater core and cover.. If you need help I can send you some of the steps, or explain them with just some illustrations for direction..

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[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/66700B0F52584E549CB801D9240576B1.gif[/IMG]

 

Wow, those are the diagrams I WISH my Haynes manual had. That will help alot. You rock. Thanks.