Stuck on the last step of a Heater Core removal

[m_w]

See the attached picture? That black tab is in the way, the heater core does not seem to move to the left at all that would be necessary to clear that clip. What am I missing?
I am almost certain this is an original heater core (so I think its the correct unit that is in there). It won't move to the left because of the concave design of the heater core box.

Ideas?

35010

[sdg3205]

Do you have the HVAC box out of the car? it splits in half.

[m_w]

Do you have the HVAC box out of the car? it splits in half.


Yep, its out of the car, that picture was taken with the thing on my workbench

[sdg3205]

Refresh my memory, it's been a long time since I had mine out.

The case should split into 4 pieces - left and right (vertically) and top and bottom (horizontally). Is your case split this way?

[m_w]

Refresh my memory, it's been a long time since I had mine out.

The case should split into 4 pieces - left and right (vertically) and top and bottom (horizontally). Is your case split this way?


Maybe that's what I'm missing. The case split into two halves. The aircon half and the heater half. The aircon half split it two pieces as well. I have that side completed. Does the heater half also split in half? It didn't seem obvious to me if it does.

[DMCMW Dave]

The heater slde does not split in two


Sent from phone

[sdg3205]

The heater slde does not split in two


Sent from phone

This is all you DS. I can't remember.

[m_w]

So I was able to figure it out. I went with the idea that the heater core side must split apart - and the two screws buried behind the vacuum models at the "back" of the unit let me do that.

With the guts pulled out, the heater core can lay in that flap unit and then the whole thing slides back in.

Pics or it didn't happen

3501535016

[Some guy]

I have to do this soon, Can you take a picture of what your car looks like inside?

I am trying to get an idea of what i am in for.

[sdg3205]

I am trying to get an idea of what i am in for.

It's... poopy.

[SS Spoiler]

I changed out my AC core without pulling the whole box.
musta' been pretty flexible in my youth. Now I don't think
I can "assume the position" anymore.

[DMCMW Dave]

I changed out my AC core without pulling the whole box.
musta' been pretty flexible in my youth. Now I don't think
I can "assume the position" anymore.

I've seen a few done that way. They always seem to be missing a few screws though. The ones in the back are hard to get back in.

[sdg3205]

I changed out my AC core without pulling the whole box.
musta' been pretty flexible in my youth. Now I don't think
I can "assume the position" anymore.

I pulled the whole box, so yes, it was quite the undertaking early in my ownership! But the wife (and even I) were getting cold without any heat. My PO bypassed the heater core as it had a significant leak.

[m_w]

I pulled the whole box, so yes, it was quite the undertaking early in my ownership! But the wife (and even I) were getting cold without any heat. My PO bypassed the heater core as it had a significant leak.

I was writing a very long winded post. Instead ill say that this was the most unpleasant job I've ever done on my car.

If it ever leaks, I will bypass the heater core. I'm never doing this project again.

[Some guy]

I was writing a very long winded post. Instead ill say that this was the most unpleasant job I've ever done on my car.

If it ever leaks, I will bypass the heater core. I'm never doing this project again.

With an answer like that, this job is getting pushed far down on the list.

[1batt4u]

I am going to pull my entire box out within a week. That much of a hassle??

[sdg3205]

Well - let me put it this way, to quote my grade 4 teacher about long division;

"It's not that it's harder, it's just MORE easy steps!"

In our cases, a LOT more steps :)

[Kozmatic]

I recently did this job. I too read all the warnings on how much of a PITA this is. I have to tell you, after hearing all that I was expecting an absolute nightmare. It was NOWHERE near as bad as most make it sound. Sure, it'll take a few days if you give it a few hours here and there, but it's not really all that bad. Just time consuming...which is EXACTLY why I bought this car...to consume some free time :D

[kings1527]

Well - let me put it this way, to quote my grade 4 teacher about long division;

"It's not that it's harder, it's just MORE easy steps!"

In our cases, a LOT more steps :)


I recently did this job. I too read all the warnings on how much of a PITA this is. I have to tell you, after hearing all that I was expecting an absolute nightmare. It was NOWHERE near as bad as most make it sound. Sure, it'll take a few days if you give it a few hours here and there, but it's not really all that bad. Just time consuming...which is EXACTLY why I bought this car...to consume some free time :D

Completely agree with both of those statements. Just give yourself time. And be sure to take the extra 5 minutes and remove the seats to give yourself more room to work. To do the job right, the whole box has to come out and it's not at all that bad. But also, when you start to actually pull the box out, either remove the carpet or put down some super absorbent towels to keep residual coolant from pouring onto your carpet.

[1batt4u]

Completely agree with both of those statements. Just give yourself time. And be sure to take the extra 5 minutes and remove the seats to give yourself more room to work. To do the job right, the whole box has to come out and it's not at all that bad. But also, when you start to actually pull the box out, either remove the carpet or put down some super absorbent towels to keep residual coolant from pouring onto your carpet.

Remove both seats or just passenger??

[kings1527]

Remove both seats or just passenger??

Just the passenger's side. All of the work you'll need to do with the AC box in terms of getting it out of the car will be done on the passenger's side.

[Kozmatic]

Just the passenger's side. All of the work you'll need to do with the AC box in terms of getting it out of the car will be done on the passenger's side.

100% agree... remove that seat and the carpet. Makes things much, much easier.