Heater core going out?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 218
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From: S.E. Georgia
Heater core going out?
I posted this in the heat, a/c board but I have not gotten a response yet. I turned my heater on in my truck last week and when it finally warmed up it was like I had a fog machine on inside my truck. It smelled a little like anti freeze, but it has had that smell for a while. It just started with the FOG. Is this the heater core???? How hard a job is it to replace in a 1979 F250 4WD?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Yes it sure sounds like the heater core.....non- AC and it is quite easy.
Drain some antifreeze, disconnect the two heater hoses at firewall, remove 3 (maybe 4) nuts on the firewall engine side, and the heater box should drop right down, may have to disconnect the heater control cables and the blower wires as well, remove old core and reverse process.
Been a few years since I did one so I may have missed a step or two but it is really quite easy....unless you have AC the all bets are off.
Drain some antifreeze, disconnect the two heater hoses at firewall, remove 3 (maybe 4) nuts on the firewall engine side, and the heater box should drop right down, may have to disconnect the heater control cables and the blower wires as well, remove old core and reverse process.
Been a few years since I did one so I may have missed a step or two but it is really quite easy....unless you have AC the all bets are off.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 84
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Menroid, I just put an A/C system in my 79 crew SB. From guidance of Chiltons and Hayes, I believe you pert neer hafta go through the tailpipe to change the heater core.(LOL). If memory serves me right, you need to split the inner section and the outer section apart to get at it. Not a fun job. Under the dash, you will see the main inner section on passenger side. You need to remove about 8-10 nut/bolts, vacuum lines, etc. Then it "should" pull away from the firewall. At this point I think you need to pull the assembly away from the firewall in the engine compartment. This is very tricky, as you need to **** your tongue and cross your eyes just right to get it out. The heater core is in the engine bay side.
Antifreeze smelling and fog are generally a sign of a bad heater core.
Antifreeze smelling and fog are generally a sign of a bad heater core.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13
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My 79 F350 4x4 started doing the same thing. Had to stick my head out the window to see where I was going. Once the truck got warm it would abate some. I disconnected the heater cause stop leak didn't work, then the radiator started leaking so now its in the local repair shop. I have the high output heater in my truck. I wonder if that part is still available. I probably should done this job myself and saved some $. I don't have AC. Greg
