Heater Core

[Bruce]

Saturday morning, I noticed the lovely green liquid leaking onto the floormat. I started searching through the archives and found Ian's very complete guide to removing the heater core.

I've got all of the screws holding the cover to the heater box out and there's not enough room to remove the cover. Ian's guide suggested removing the "side footwell trim panel." I didn't do this and can't figure out what I'm supposed to be removing - this is probably my problem. I also didn't remove the ECM, though I did remove the screw that holds it to the dash. Removing the ECM itself makes me a little nervous.

Please help, thanks,

Bruce

 

[lSyclonel]

you have to remove the ecm. cuz you cant get the cover out far enought to pull it down. the cover hits the ecm. and when you do get the ecm out. it will be very very tight.

 

[SYO237]

http://www.sytyarchives.com/howto/viewarticle.php?article_name=heater_core.php&dir=climate_controls


go print this article out. full detailed instructions including pics. The FAST crew has been able to do heater core swaps in under 2 hours from start to complete finish of the truck running.

 

[Bruce]

Adam, yes that's the article that I'm following. It's excellent. I just am missing what the footwell trim panel is - under interior removal - step 2. I think if I could figure that out, it might give me more room to maneuver.

 

[SYO237]

that would be the long black plastic piece located right under the actual dash board.... it crosses all the way over to the driver side.


if your still lost... put your hand on the small section of carpet right in front of the center console under the dash. that long black piece of plastic directly across from the console, thats the culprit.

 

[Bruce]

So this is the piece that has three of it's scews directly under the bottom of the glove box door?

Does the piece actually come off? Or does it just allow the whole dashboard to swing out a bit?

Thanks, Bruce

 

[Ian Turgeon]

Im thinking you dont have one considering you cant figure this out? Its a big trim panel that covers the footwell passanger side... If youve gotten to the ecm bolt its already off, or was never there.


your gonna have to take a few of the bolts on the bottom edge of the dash that hold it in place... And wrestle the bottom side of the dash out a bit so it gives you enough room to get that cover out.

 

[Bruce]

I may not have that piece. In this picture, is the piece already out? Mine looks like in this picture...

http://www.sytyarchives.com/howto/climate_controls/heater_core_images/heatercore05.jpg


How many bolts have to be removed under dash to let it rotate and drop down? I have one out so far.

Does the ECM really need to come out? Any danger of damaging it? I guess I need to remove the negative lead from the batttery.

Bruce

 

[Ian Turgeon]

the battery is a good idea.. but I never have taken that precaution removing the ecm. You are missing the trim panel then. taking the far right bolt out, and pulling the dash so it pulls out and over that bracket(that the bolt goes into) should give you enough room.

 

[Bruce]

You were right - I am missing the trim panel - any idea what the part number is and if it's not discontinued?

Removing the ECM and pulling the dash out did give me enough room to maneuver. At this point the new heater core is in and I have the cover in - have to start putting the screws back in tha hold the cover.

One question - I should have taken better note of this when I took it out, but I didn't.

To install the heater core's tube support, do I need to bend the tubes apart a bit, or is there another way to get that piece in there.

Thanks again,

Bruce