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Subject: Re: Heater Core repair - V. HVAC cover, heater hoses & pipes Author: davidsoine : member since September, 2004 : 870 posts Posted on: 2004-09-06 20:30:44

4. Tips: Removing the HVAC Cover

Again take some pics of the wire routing.


In addition to removing the 2 actuator motors for the footwell vents, the actuator on the bottom of the HVAC unit (for the rear console vent) must also be removed. This will allow access to the hidden screws that hold the cover on in addition to the clips. Depress the plastic clip on each actuator, then "lever" it out.

There are 3 torx screws, two on the bottom and one on the right side of the HVAC cover.


Now that the cover is off, here we are...a quarter size area of coolant is visible on the carpet.



5. Tips: disconnecting the heater hoses

Rather than disconnect all 3 hoses, I siphoned off coolant to the bottom of the reservoir bottle, figured out which 2 lines were the "supply" lines to the heater core, and disconnected them and blew them out, leaving the "return" line connected. This blew the coolant into the system rather than on the floor. I set the air to about 10 PSI.

6. Tips: pulling the pipes

Obviously have some rags/towels/etc to catch the little bit of coolant that comes out. I probably got a quarter cup total.


Finally we can replace the $3 worth of O-rings that were the root cause of this ordeal...

It's all downhill from here,

Dave

• Heater Core repair - I. general info (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 14:57:36 (15135 views)
  • More followup info (url) - DavidC 2005-04-09 02:43:33 (1231 views)
  • you are one brave man. good work. (nt) - LA-Sean 2004-09-07 01:59:26 (759 views)
    • Indeed, the photos are very graphic. Serious surgery. (nt) - islandbeef 2004-09-07 14:19:00 (883 views)
  • Phenomenal!! Thanks! What was your symptoms that lead to the heater core? (nt) - silber98 2004-09-06 22:31:13 (1074 views)
    • Symptom: Coolant smell when the heat cycled on, esp. Defrost (m) - davidsoine 2004-09-07 10:08:39 (1140 views)
  • Re: Heater Core repair - II. Removing the console (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 19:22:13 (3063 views)
    • Re: Heater Core repair - III. Removing the steering column (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:00:05 (2069 views)
      • Re: Heater Core repair - IV. Removing the 'left support' (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:14:43 (1761 views)
        • Re: Heater Core repair - V. HVAC cover, heater hoses & pipes (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:30:44 (2368 views)
          • Bravo! This is a perfect example of how to document a project - DavidC 2004-09-06 21:49:02 (859 views)
            • The leaking joints were... (m) - davidsoine 2004-09-07 10:18:02 (1012 views)
          • Re: Heater Core repair - VI. Re-assembly (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:46:54 (2147 views)
            • Absolutely Beautiful, Well done - thanks!! (nt) - WTH 2004-09-06 21:04:46 (683 views)
              • My goodness, very impressive! - M.Wong 2004-09-07 00:29:23 (670 views)
  • This is great information David. - farnarkler 2004-09-06 18:56:45 (595 views)