Heater Core Problem
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Heater Core Problem
I have an 88 F-250 4x4 XLT with a 351, i noticed latley when it's cold or chilli out the front window fogs up alot when I shut the truck off. Also when i turn on my heater or defroster it fogs the whole window up right away. It only does it when its cold outside, but there is no fog on the window after shut off when its warm out. Theres also somthing leaking from under the passenger side of the dash that started about the same time. First thing I thought of was the heater core, but before I go and yank it out and replace it I wanted to make that was the problem. If anybody can confurme this or tell me what else it could be I would realy appreciate it. Thannks
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Asheville, NC
My '83 with A/C heater core was actually easier to replace than my '84 without A/C. If the '88 is anything like the '83, you have to remove the glove box liner. Be sure that you check any gaskets around the core that you find in there. If they are rotton, you can get gasket material at your local hardware mega-store.
Also, CLEAN everything while you have it apart. You will be amazed at what you may find in there.
Also, CLEAN everything while you have it apart. You will be amazed at what you may find in there.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
to change the heater core on an 88, you first need to empty the glove box. then take the door off and the insert out. you will now see the core cover .there is 4 or 6 screws holding it on. remove them and the cover.go outside and pop the hood, and on the passenger side rear, you will see where the heater hoses go into the cab. remove the 2 hoses.you do not need to drain the radiator, the hoses are higher than the radiator. then go back inside and pull the old core out, clean the inside of the box, and reverse steps to install new one.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Asheville, NC
Looks like the 88 and 83 are very similar. While you are in there, if you remove the blower motor and look inside towards the evaporator on the A/C, you will probably find all kinds of crud piled up against the coils. Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to clean it all out. If it is all packed into the coil, while you have the heater core out, you can blast some water thru the heater-core side of the evaporator and 'back-flush' the coil.
After I replaced the heater core on my '83, I had to re-remove the core to re-clean the evaporator. Seems that there was nasty water collecting in there when using the A/C. Now, it drains out like it is supposed to do. The '83 has the small cover over the core, too, with 6-8 screws holding it. Very easy job compared to some Checrolay vehicles that I have worked on in the past.
After I replaced the heater core on my '83, I had to re-remove the core to re-clean the evaporator. Seems that there was nasty water collecting in there when using the A/C. Now, it drains out like it is supposed to do. The '83 has the small cover over the core, too, with 6-8 screws holding it. Very easy job compared to some Checrolay vehicles that I have worked on in the past.
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