Heater Core leaking?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Walterboro, SC
Heater Core leaking?
Just in the last couple months I've been noticing radiator fluid puddling in my passenger's floormat, and it's continually getting worse. I would guess it to be the heater core leaking, but I'm not completely sure. I've taken the glove box out and the heater core cover off and the core fins are colored green.
Is this something I can fix myself with normal tools, or is there something special to do? I would guess that I just detach the two hoses under the hood then pull the core off and put the new one on?
One other question: Why does coolant run through the core when the heater is not turned on? Is it just part of the coolant flow loop?
Thanks all.
Is this something I can fix myself with normal tools, or is there something special to do? I would guess that I just detach the two hoses under the hood then pull the core off and put the new one on?
One other question: Why does coolant run through the core when the heater is not turned on? Is it just part of the coolant flow loop?
Thanks all.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Thats the basic way to do it. A few screws here and there. The heater core ALWAYS has coolant flowing through it. it's like a mini radiator. Pick up a Haynes manual if you need more specific info.
-Matt
-Matt
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
While you are at it, if your heater core hoses look bad replace them too. Better to spend an extra $20 now then to be stuck on the side of the highway 2 hours from home with rad coolant all over the road. 
Good luck!
-Matt
Good luck!-Matt
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hey nothingbutFord - or anyone else reading this thread-
I need to replace the heater core on my '84 F150. Haven't had time to look into it yet. Is it/ did it turn out to be something a shade tree mechanic can handle in an afternoon, more or less?
Thanks in advance for any replys.
EA
I need to replace the heater core on my '84 F150. Haven't had time to look into it yet. Is it/ did it turn out to be something a shade tree mechanic can handle in an afternoon, more or less?
Thanks in advance for any replys.
EA
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I think I need to replace mine as well. I am maybe going to bypass is until fall. It is a pretty easy thing to do. Maybe get a Haynes manual and it should have step by step directions. Good luck!
-Matt
-Matt
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Walterboro, SC
Replacing the heater core was really simple. I did not replace the hoses (probably should have!) I did cut the very end of the hoses off where the clamp was so I could clamp down on a fresh place. One thing that struck me as funny is that the two hoses are different sizes! One of them fit the core pipe perfect, the other hose was about 1/8" larger on the inside and only fit loosly until I clamped it.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Houston area
mine is leaking too and would like to bypass it for a while. is this as simple as just taking one of the hoses & looping on the engine?
Thanks,
Wes
Thanks,
Wes
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Yes, that's it. I did it on mine, but if you run air and it gets to be too cold it won't change because the heater supplies the little bit warmer air to be less cold, rather than the outside. As long as you have the standard heater, it is pretty easy to replace, I spent about 1/2 hour on it. If you have the high output heater, it's more involved. The way to tell the difference is by the placement of the core. If it passes through the firewall, you have the easy one. If it goes into the heater case, you have the harder one.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Houston area
Felro86,
"The way to tell the difference is by the placement of the core. If it passes through the firewall, you have the easy one. If it goes into the heater case, you have the harder one."
Not sure how to dertemine which I have. I do have hose connections that are fixed into firewall and the heater hoses conect to them if thats what you mean. My truck is a '93 F150 XLT Super Cab, 5.0, Auto E4OD, 2wd.
Thanks,
Wes
"The way to tell the difference is by the placement of the core. If it passes through the firewall, you have the easy one. If it goes into the heater case, you have the harder one."
Not sure how to dertemine which I have. I do have hose connections that are fixed into firewall and the heater hoses conect to them if thats what you mean. My truck is a '93 F150 XLT Super Cab, 5.0, Auto E4OD, 2wd.
Thanks,
Wes
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Yes. Get one of your hoses and disconnect it from the engine. Get the other hose and disconnect it from the heater core. Then hook the hose onto the opposite spots of where you took them off. Good luck!
-Matt
-Matt
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Not sure which ones you guys have, but on most of the newer ones atleast the ones i have done from 97 and up vehicles, you have to remove the WHOLE dash to get to the heater core because there is no way in hell you can get it out with all the air ducts that are up underneath the dashes, once the whole dash is removed then you can take out the whole heater box and disassemble it. It only takes about 30-45min to get the whole dash off, really alot easier than it sounds. Its really cool how they have built the insides of the newer vehicles.
