heater core help
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New User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: North Texas
heater core help
I realize this is a truck forum. I tried for some help on a regular ford forum and that was a waste of time. I have recieved great help on this forum in the past about my 460 truck so I am taking a shot about passenger car problem. Lots of great knowledge on this site so I hope someone can help. Coolant leak. Water running down on the cat. converter. Oh, btw, its a 98 Gran Marquis, 4.6....... No water on the inside of the car. I assume its the heater core leaking. I have spent hours laying under the car and can't find exactly where it comes from. Apprears to be coming from the cowling that covers the a.c. stuff. All dry upstairs . Heater hose inlet and outlet is easy to get to up top. One small, one large. 3/4--5/8???? I assume the smaller is the inlet to the core. The old car aint worth much so I'm thinking of cutting linlet hose at the firewall and plugging. No heater in Texas aint a big deal and I cant afford repair work. Any Ford mechanics with advice? Thanks in advance.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
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The 302-powered Panther chassis cars of earlier years had a small drain hole in the plenum box that holds the heater core. If the heater core spring a leak, and if it wasn't too bad of a leak, the A/F would drip out that hole and onto the ground. Not to be confused with the evaporator drain hole, which usually drips condensate water when the A/C is ON. The heater hole is more to the center of the car than the evaporator hole. The later chassis with the 4.6L is probably the same.
To disable the heater core, you can run a hose to loop the engine back on itself, not so easy if the fittings on the engine are indeed different sizes, but may find a hose with a pre-formed 90 degree (if needed) and correct hose end sizes by looking around a parts store back room with a ruler to measure.
Or, if you are going to plug them instead, you will have to plug BOTH hoses.
Yeah, many of us had/have all sorts of Fords!
To disable the heater core, you can run a hose to loop the engine back on itself, not so easy if the fittings on the engine are indeed different sizes, but may find a hose with a pre-formed 90 degree (if needed) and correct hose end sizes by looking around a parts store back room with a ruler to measure.
Or, if you are going to plug them instead, you will have to plug BOTH hoses.
Yeah, many of us had/have all sorts of Fords!
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New User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: North Texas
Torky2, Thanks for your reply. The leaky heater cores I have experienced in the past all leaked into the inside of the car. Your explaination explains why the water is going to the outside. I will be plugging both hoses. Thanks again.
New User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Hi SmokinScott,
I did my 98 expedition back in December.....right when we were needing it! I had been dreading this job because it is very invasive and time consuming. I decided to go ahead and tackle it and save around 700 dollars. The dash needs to be removed, or at least pulled away from the firewall enough to gain access to the heater A/C box. There are approximately 41 steps. There are many screws to keep track of. I used small plastic bags which corresponded to the step at which they were removed. If you search this site for "evaporator replacement", you will find more detailed instructions than what I've provided. Hope this helps.
I did my 98 expedition back in December.....right when we were needing it! I had been dreading this job because it is very invasive and time consuming. I decided to go ahead and tackle it and save around 700 dollars. The dash needs to be removed, or at least pulled away from the firewall enough to gain access to the heater A/C box. There are approximately 41 steps. There are many screws to keep track of. I used small plastic bags which corresponded to the step at which they were removed. If you search this site for "evaporator replacement", you will find more detailed instructions than what I've provided. Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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I would go to your favorite parts store and buy some dye to put in the radiator and a UV or black light, run it for a little bit to circulate the dye and get into/out of the suspected leak. Then once it gets a little dark out, break out the UV light and look all around under the hood and car/truck to see where it is actually leaking from. Here's a link to some DYE and a Light or Two
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 65
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Step by Step instructions for 97-03 F150 Heater core repair
Best of Luck, here's a quick link to the instructions online
javascript
l('http://my.voyager.net/~sscully/F-15097HtrCoreRepairF150_Exp_002.doc');
For 1997 (and later) F-150 and Expedition models.
Allow yourself all weekend to get it done but dont be surprised if you get it completed in 4-8 hours. (even less with help) I could have saved alot of time if I didnt have to learn these lessons the hard way. The service manual recommends removing the dash completely, dont bother, it just needs to be pulled out far enough on the passenger side to access the heater core plenum. Just follow the instructions and skip the steps labeled "optional"...
If you read the instructions all the way through you'll see what I mean.
Here you go...
> Be patient with it, have "all" your tools ready and take it one step at a time...
> Don
javascript
l('http://my.voyager.net/~sscully/F-15097HtrCoreRepairF150_Exp_002.doc');For 1997 (and later) F-150 and Expedition models.
Allow yourself all weekend to get it done but dont be surprised if you get it completed in 4-8 hours. (even less with help) I could have saved alot of time if I didnt have to learn these lessons the hard way. The service manual recommends removing the dash completely, dont bother, it just needs to be pulled out far enough on the passenger side to access the heater core plenum. Just follow the instructions and skip the steps labeled "optional"...
If you read the instructions all the way through you'll see what I mean.
Here you go...
> Be patient with it, have "all" your tools ready and take it one step at a time...
> Don
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New User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Thanks
Well I did the heater core in my 98 F150 last weekend and everything worked out well, thanks to your instructions and tips.I planned for the weekend and did 6hrs Saturday and 6 again on Sunday with plenty of coffee breaks & patience.I only have 3 left over screws too! No creaks or rattles though.It was well worth it and now I'm ready for the cold New England weather.
Thanks again...
Thanks again...
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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Where do those three screws come from, I had the same result,
Congrats, enjoy the heat.
The antifreeze smell inside the cab will go away in time. a good cleaning of the plenum interior really pays dividends now.
Enjoy your balmy winter.
Don
SeattleWA
Congrats, enjoy the heat.
The antifreeze smell inside the cab will go away in time. a good cleaning of the plenum interior really pays dividends now.
Enjoy your balmy winter.
Don
SeattleWA
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 657
Likes: 25
I did it
I did heater core replacemnt in Tuesday and wendsday. It need two full day. I post picture of it just 3-4 header down of this topic. 97 Ford I use that directions. I don't know who first come with them but my thenks to dem whoever is he. Some Michael iven add phtos to same directions and it work great too.
My adition would be that is handy to pull heater core toward beck of trac for 1-2" so you can get access with 4" grinder to cut pipes. Worked for me. It move that shaped foum around pipes from housing but at last for me it was easy to retorn it back.
My adition would be that is handy to pull heater core toward beck of trac for 1-2" so you can get access with 4" grinder to cut pipes. Worked for me. It move that shaped foum around pipes from housing but at last for me it was easy to retorn it back.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 657
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What is great
Whay I fill so good about it is fact that I'm sure that will pull dash any time when need. I (and any one else who did it) don't have to think about how long will heater core (only 40$) or blend door last. It will be fix in one day.
So I do with all cars. I stik with a few. I know a lot abut my Acura Legend and hope lern a lot about my F250.
So I do with all cars. I stik with a few. I know a lot abut my Acura Legend and hope lern a lot about my F250.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2009
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How about Mpls Minnesota winter without heat in truck. 2010 winter I was lucky to have big job and left my tools there, I drow small car to job. But in 2009 I had a few small jobs over winter and tools was with me in truck. I had drive with one hand and scrap ice with another hend at butifol day with 18F high and -10 low. Great filling in your *** at leader sit at -10F. At one point of time I bring heater from Harbor fright that go over cigarett lighter. Second day it katch fire right beside my right foot so I hed for a few second to panch heater with right foot away from me, brake with left foot, scrape ice from windshild with right hend and drive with left hend, all at icy road.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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I used the silver powder called aluma-seal.....$2 at the parts store....that was 2 yrs ago and my heater hasnt leaked anymore. Time to change my antifreeze so I'll be purchasing some more of that powdered stuff.....works wonders and saves alot of headaches!
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