Sauna Option - Unwanted
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 116
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From: Florida
Sauna Option - Unwanted
My 87 F-350 w/460 just started a bad habit of steaming in the vents.. And there is a distinct smell of anti-freeze. Then I noticed the dripping from what I'll guess is the heater core (under the glove box). I just had the cooling system flushed and changed - maybe that's what sent it over the edge. Do you think I'm right on the heater core and if so, how big of a job is this? I'm handy but not a full time mechanic.
Also - until I get this to the shop or under the wrench, is there a setting that will stop the drip? (defrost, A/C / Panel etc.)
Thanks for the help!
Also - until I get this to the shop or under the wrench, is there a setting that will stop the drip? (defrost, A/C / Panel etc.)
Thanks for the help!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 11
From: LA and CO
Sauna Option - Unwanted
It sounds like the heater core bit the dust! I'm not sure how hard of a job it is to change. Until you get it fixed you can take both hoses that go into the heater core and disconnect them from the core and hook them together. This will bypass the heater core altogether. This is the only way I know of to stop it from leaking until you get it fixed.
John
John
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 116
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From: Florida
Sauna Option - Unwanted
Thanks for the suggestion. I did a search on heater cores and it sounds like my problem. Plus it sounds like it's a pretty easy fix, which would be a first! I had the cooling system flushed because this truck is " thermally challenged" - tends to creep up on the temp gauge when sitting in traffic. I've put on a flex fan, checked about everything - maybe the heater core was part of the problem. We'll see.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 43
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From: Texas
Sauna Option - Unwanted
i just had the heater core replaced on my 94 f150 and took it to the shop because i did not have the time to fool with it. it only took a little time, i think around 2 hrs., which makes it sound like not too tough of a job. in case you don't want to mess with it, the total was around $200 at the shop...OUCH!
just a little more info so that you can expand your options!
Good Luck!
just a little more info so that you can expand your options!
Good Luck!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 54
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From: Kelowna Canada
Sauna Option - Unwanted
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Feb-02 AT 00:23 AM (EST)]just go to lordco or napa and get a heater core for your truck (year/model)... it comes with instructions, very easy to install/swap... not very expensive (i think it was like $90.00 CAD).. then take back your old core (to wherever you got your new one from) for a refund (i think i got $30.00 CAD back)
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 807
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From: -
Sauna Option - Unwanted
I replaced the heater core in my NON a/c truck before, easy easy easy. Tried to help a buddy with his a/c equipped truck, took us 5 hours. The a/c condenser, if part of the heater core, will make things VERY difficult. If you have to remove the a/c lines you will have to take it in and have the lines first emptied then filled again. Probably not cheap. Goto to your local Ford dealer and ask em for a printout of the heater core and a/c core layout, hopefully the heater core can be removed no prob... good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 396
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From: Ohio
Sauna Option - Unwanted
Hey Fences--
You just said why your truck is "thermally challenged". Im sure that the flush broke loose something major in the heater core, but to tell ya the truth...it was probably leaking before, and you just didn't notice it...kinda like a pinhole leak. Anyways, I have done a ton of heater cores in my time, so I can tell ya this...as long as it aint off a '89 Dodge Shadow, you have no problems...it took me 14 hours to get the old one out and the new one back in...my dashboard was on the floor of the garage.
Good luck with it.
Ken
You just said why your truck is "thermally challenged". Im sure that the flush broke loose something major in the heater core, but to tell ya the truth...it was probably leaking before, and you just didn't notice it...kinda like a pinhole leak. Anyways, I have done a ton of heater cores in my time, so I can tell ya this...as long as it aint off a '89 Dodge Shadow, you have no problems...it took me 14 hours to get the old one out and the new one back in...my dashboard was on the floor of the garage.
Good luck with it.
Ken
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 116
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From: Florida
Sauna Option - Unwanted
Just so we can close this one - it certainly was the heater core. Took about an hour. 30 minutes was me trying to figure out how to get the glove box out. Other than that, a pretty easy job. I did have to trim the heater hoses coming in to the core. They had grown into the seams on the clamps so just take an inch off them and ensure a good seal.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Sauna Option - Unwanted
My heater core bit it last year. Went to Autozone, picked up a new one for about $30 and changed it in about half and hour. My truck has A/C and all that, but it was still and easy job. Easiest fix yet actually. She has beening going strong since.