Changing the heater core
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Help!!!!!
I decided to take on the heater core job and have completely got in over my head im currently putting it back together. My problem is that im not sure if my plugs all plugged into somethin cause for two of them they dont one is on drivers side the other is the passenger side. The P side is a blue one and connects to the right side of the truck. The D side is under the steering wheel. When i try to start it up i have power to everything except The blower and the truck wont start i have no idea why not sure if i blew a fuse or it the plugs or possible cause i havent put it back together all the way just part. I just wanted to make sure it works before i screwed it all back together. By now i am completely flustered wish i could take it to a mechanic but i cant start it so have to do it myself. Any ideas please.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
Just did my 2002 with directions off internet, was a piece of cake. Will see if Ican find the link again and post.
Also one thing that might not be mentioned here is to make sure and add a ground wire to your new core to prevent the electrolsis from doing it again.(A Ford Mech. told me that one)
Also one thing that might not be mentioned here is to make sure and add a ground wire to your new core to prevent the electrolsis from doing it again.(A Ford Mech. told me that one)
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I was wondering if I told get those instructions u said u could send please and thank you
I also got my new core from the Dealer, 40.00.
One item thats easy to forget is the foam tape that wraps around the core that keeps it snug inside the plenum. Get some from the dealer, they just gave me a piece off a large roll, enough to get the new core wrapped.
My fluid needed changing so I drained the radiator. If your fluid is in good shape, and your system doesnt need flushed, just skip it. This doesnt get it all out of the block unless you pull a freeze plug, but I flushed it out well enough before adding new coolant.
Don
Full step by step Heater core instructions available upon email request only.
One item thats easy to forget is the foam tape that wraps around the core that keeps it snug inside the plenum. Get some from the dealer, they just gave me a piece off a large roll, enough to get the new core wrapped.
My fluid needed changing so I drained the radiator. If your fluid is in good shape, and your system doesnt need flushed, just skip it. This doesnt get it all out of the block unless you pull a freeze plug, but I flushed it out well enough before adding new coolant.
Don
Full step by step Heater core instructions available upon email request only.
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
May as well keep this old and informative thread going instead of starting a new one.
I've got a 2000 F-150 V6 2wd with 170k miles on it
Last week I started smelling coolant in the cabin and am now noticing a film on my windshield.
Engine temp is normal and the cabin heats normally.
Mechanic said it's the heater core. $900 bucks? Yeah sure.
Friends at work say to just disconnect the heater lines and flush the heater core with water and air for free dollars.
Said he had a friend do it and a bunch of rubber and crap came out.
Does anyone have experience with this? Good idea or bad idea? Thank you!
P.s. just checked today and both hoses seem to be warm.
I've got a 2000 F-150 V6 2wd with 170k miles on it
Last week I started smelling coolant in the cabin and am now noticing a film on my windshield.
Engine temp is normal and the cabin heats normally.
Mechanic said it's the heater core. $900 bucks? Yeah sure.
Friends at work say to just disconnect the heater lines and flush the heater core with water and air for free dollars.
Said he had a friend do it and a bunch of rubber and crap came out.
Does anyone have experience with this? Good idea or bad idea? Thank you!
P.s. just checked today and both hoses seem to be warm.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Bypassing the heater core is a bad idea in modern vehicles as the HVAC systems in today's vehicles use the AC compressor during the winter to remove humidity and to control temperature. This is done with a door in the HVAC box that is used to close off the AC and the heater core to blend the two together. Good luck 
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