Heater Core: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming




1. Drain the engine cooling system. Service and Repair
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. Service and Repair
3. Carefully disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes (7).
4. Remove the instrument panel silencer from the driver side of the instrument panel. Service and Repair
5. Remove the blend door actuator (1) from the driver side of the HVAC air distribution housing (2).
6. Remove the two screws (9) that secure the flange (8) to the front of the HVAC housing (10) near the dash panel.
7. Remove the flange from the HVAC housing. Overhaul

NOTE: Take proper precautions to protect the carpeting from spilled engine coolant. Have absorbent toweling readily available to clean up any spills.

8. Remove the retaining clamps (3) that secure the heater core tubes to the heater core (5).
9. Disconnect the heater core tubes from the heater core and remove and discard the O-ring seals.
10. Carefully pull the heater core tubes through the dash panel.
11. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened heater core ports.
12. Remove the screw (6) that secures the heater core retaining bracket (4) to the driver side of the HVAC air distribution housing (2).
13. Remove the heater core retaining bracket from the air distribution housing.
14. Carefully pull the heater core out of the air distribution housing.

INSTALLATION




1. Carefully install the heater core (5) into the driver side of the HVAC air distribution housing (2).
2. Install heater core retaining bracket (4) onto the air distribution housing.
3. Install the screw (6) that secures the heater core retaining bracket onto the air distribution housing. Tighten the screw to 2.2 N.m (20 in.lbs.).
4. Remove the tape or plugs from the heater core ports.
5. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean engine coolant and install them onto the heater core tube fittings. Use only the specified O-ring as they are made of a special material for the engine cooling system.
6. Install the heater core tubes (7) through the dash panel and onto the heater core.
7. Install the two retaining clamps (3) that secure the heater core tubes to the heater core. Make sure that the clamps are installed correctly and securely.
8. Install the flange (8) over the heater core tubes and onto the HVAC housing (10) near the dash panel.
9. Install the two screws (9) that secure the flange to the HVAC housing. Tighten the screws to 2.2 N.m (20 in.lbs.).
10. Install the blend door actuator (1) to the driver side of the air distribution housing.
11. Install the instrument panel silencer onto the driver side of the instrument panel.
12. Connect the heater hoses to the heater core tubes.
13. Connect the negative battery cable.
14. If the heater core is being replaced, flush the cooling system
15. Refill the engine cooling system.