Heater core replacement

Topic: Heater core replacement (Read 5701 times) previous topic - next topic

Heater core replacement

October 02, 2014, 11:30:51 PM

Hello all,
I'm not sure where to post this since it's not exactly dealing with the engine. I discovered today that the heater core on the '85 Elan that I bought a couple weeks ago has been disconnected due to it leaking at some point. I went out on a little drive tonight and needed the defroster. No heat came out of the defroster vents even with the blower on high. Got back home and smelled coolant. Looked all over and couldn't find anywhere where it was leaking. Found that the heater core had been bypassed. I looked under the dash and saw that the heater core box was covered in dried green coolant goo. The coolant smell was apparently just from having the defroster/heater air blowing through the heater core which still had coolant residue on it.

So, my question is: has anyone ever replaced the heater core on these cars, and how difficult is it? I need to get it done within the next month, as cold Kansas winters are fast approaching.

Heater core replacement

Reply #1 – October 03, 2014, 12:12:52 AM

there is a write-up on heater core replacement over on coolcats.net

Heater core replacement

Reply #2 – October 03, 2014, 12:19:19 AM

http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html

IT will take 2 to 8 hours the first time. Dont put it off too long.

on my way to kansas for a oversized load were escorting...

Heater core replacement

Reply #3 – October 03, 2014, 12:38:38 AM

Thanks guys!

I literally found that website (coolcats.net) right after I posted this. It doesn't seem like it's going to be too big of an issue. I wonder how soon I'll be able to get a replacement. I'd rather not spend mega bucks on one from a Ford dealership.

Heater core replacement

Reply #4 – October 03, 2014, 09:19:59 AM

SPEND MEGABUCKS ON ONE FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP. Seriously...consider it anyway. Or at least get an "HC5" as they're called, from eBay. Might spend $70-120, but some of the aftermarket ones are truly of weak construction. You don't wanna have to go back in there.

It's not THAT bad, I finally stopped being a wuss after all year putting it off, and dove in about a month ago. Just be gentle with everything, if the car hasn't ever been messed with before then all of the wiring will be where it needs to be, it will let you get the dash back enough for access, etc.

Heater core replacement

Reply #5 – October 03, 2014, 12:22:44 PM

I got a motorcraft one from Rockauto, I think it was the HC5 listed above. Not sure what the differences are from that or the dealership one????

I followed the guide on coolcats, everything went fine, just time consuming.

Heater core replacement

Reply #6 – October 03, 2014, 02:09:04 PM

I got one on eBay, spent about 70 I think....I wasn't *thrilled*. Minor detail--it is copper/brass but the angled tube butted right up against the adjacent tank and was soldered to it on the ORIGINAL core. The one I bought the placement was slightly off and therefore not soldered. So now BOTH tubes aren't as strong against someone yanking abusively on heater hoses, as opposed to just one.

But....naturally I saved the original, which was leaking because of the abuse I just stated...so I only have to re-solder the straight tube and it's happy again :D
I'm just gonna be reeeeeeeeeeaaaaallly careful the next time I do any work near those hoses, ever. And if I have to take them off, most likely just cut a slit, off, and buy new ones.

I could have soldered on a brace like people talk about, but the timing was "I wanna be able to take it out Saturday night, don't wanna spend anymore time". Doofus. And there's not much room to really do it, the way it fits in the box and such. Oh well. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Heater core replacement

Reply #7 – October 03, 2014, 04:55:53 PM

When I did mine, (genuine FORD replacement) I first went to a radiator shop and had them pressure test the new one just to be sure it was OK. Guy charged like $5-10 to test it, was well worth the piece of mind.
Rick

Heater core replacement

Reply #8 – October 04, 2014, 08:48:52 PM

Thanks guys! I went ahead and bought a Ford heater core. I've got all the underhood stuff done for now. I've been trying to follow the steps seen on the coolcats.net write-up, but i'm noticing that there is a lot of stuff i'm having to do that they dont talk about. I've got the console removed, and all the bolts they said held the dash on removed, but the dash will barely move. The steering column didnt drop very far beccause there's this white cord/wire holding it up. I put something under the steering wheel to keep the tension off that cord. I'm not sure what this cord is, or how to remove it. i think the steering column might be whats keeping the dash from sliding forward. I cant leave the car where it's at much longer, tomorrow evening it has to move. any ideas?

Heater core replacement

Reply #9 – October 04, 2014, 10:05:42 PM

There is a bolt under the center of the steering colum that goes to the pedal cluster underneath. The white cord goes to a small red string and attaches to the colum shifter under the dash for the pnd indicator.

Some cars have a bolt next to the glove box, most dont.

Heater core replacement

Reply #10 – October 04, 2014, 10:34:21 PM

Awesome!!! Thanks Haystack!

Tomorrow morning I'll go out and disconnect that little cord and unfasten that bolt. Hopefully then the steering column will drop down enough to where the dash will slide back.
I read on the coolcats.net write-up about the bolt next to the glove box. I looked and I didn't see one, so I hope that means mine is one of the ones that didn't have it.

Heater core replacement

Reply #11 – October 05, 2014, 12:13:14 AM

Yeah, I didn't have a brace/bolt there either. Read about it first...looked...didn't believe my eyes, looked around again, STILL didn't think I'd get away with it. Then I did. I wonder what called for it to be/not be there.

Heater core replacement

Reply #12 – October 05, 2014, 12:07:51 PM

or do this, make it much easier to change in the future,, and a 30min job worse case in the future.
this is in my diy link below incase you want to find it again

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?34998-AND-NOW!!!!-It-s-a-1hour-or-less-heater-core&daysprune=100

Heater core replacement

Reply #13 – October 05, 2014, 11:56:34 PM

Good news everybody!!!
I successfully replaced the heater core in my '85. It was quite a process, and it took about three times longer than I thought it would (it always does), but now I can say I've replaced a heater core. Everything went back together pretty well, and I'm proud to say that there are no leaks! Ha ha.

Heater core replacement

Reply #14 – October 06, 2014, 12:22:47 AM

Wait till you do three or four of them. Youll have it done in 20 mins.