heater core
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 19
heater core
i turned on the a/c today and i got a whiff of coolant. i turned on the heater and it got really bad. just wondering who has changed heater core. i really really dont want to do it myself but i might if a shop wants too much to do it.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
heater core replacement
Heater cores are very possible but time consuming.
What year model?
I can only comment on models common to the '99 construction.
Did mine about 17 months ago on a '99 f150.
search the forum for instructions.
someone had a step by step that i followed (with some pics included).
?? maybe it was the "FordF150.net" forum.
Things to note -
1 - although one person can disassemble the screws, it will take two people to LIFT the dash partway out to get access to the heater core.
You certainly don't want to break any of the linkages/wires by just pulling.
2 - when disassembling the dash, use ZIP lock bags and lots of them.
place all screws from the same section in the same zip lock - LABEL THE ZIP LOCK.
I was doing this but my brother got in a hurry about 1/2 way through and so many end up in the same bag. Result was that when all was re-assembled, there were about 5 left overs.
It's worth repeating - BAG and TAG.
3 - The heater core door broke during removal and I had to make another trip. Expect to replace the door or be extremely cautious.
4 - the tubes that extend through the firewall into the engine compartment may need to be hacksawed off. getting the fittings off while blind is difficult.
5 - while you're there, go ahead and replace the heater hoses.
What year model?
I can only comment on models common to the '99 construction.
Did mine about 17 months ago on a '99 f150.
search the forum for instructions.
someone had a step by step that i followed (with some pics included).
?? maybe it was the "FordF150.net" forum.
Things to note -
1 - although one person can disassemble the screws, it will take two people to LIFT the dash partway out to get access to the heater core.
You certainly don't want to break any of the linkages/wires by just pulling.
2 - when disassembling the dash, use ZIP lock bags and lots of them.
place all screws from the same section in the same zip lock - LABEL THE ZIP LOCK.
I was doing this but my brother got in a hurry about 1/2 way through and so many end up in the same bag. Result was that when all was re-assembled, there were about 5 left overs.
It's worth repeating - BAG and TAG.
3 - The heater core door broke during removal and I had to make another trip. Expect to replace the door or be extremely cautious.
4 - the tubes that extend through the firewall into the engine compartment may need to be hacksawed off. getting the fittings off while blind is difficult.
5 - while you're there, go ahead and replace the heater hoses.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 19
okay i went in to a shop that a friend owns and he quoted me about $700 for parts and labor. thats way too much for me. my cousins husband was going to do it on my brothers but my brother was able to get it (broke a bunch of stuff because he got frustrated and impatient). ill talk to him and see if he can do it.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 14
From: Oshawa, Ontario
it's a long - time consuming job that nobody relishes. Make sure your brother knows what he's getting into before he starts because you don't want to do it all over again if the repair doesn't work as it should
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 19
my brother actually did his already. it was a few months ago, he doesnt even have the truck anymore. i wa sactually referring to my cousins husband doing it. he used to work for volvo and he really knows his stuff.
