Heater Core

[RomeoGAOC]

Yesterday I was driving home and smoke started pouring out of my vents. I pulled over and ALL the coolant pissed out the heater control valve I believe. I put some water in there, but as soon as it hit 220, it all pissed out again. And anytime I turn on the car, smoke comes out of the vents like hell. Ive been told by a few people that this is because the heater core is gone. All the ppl that told me this are fairly knowledgable when it comes to this kind of stuff. If indeed it is the HC, how big of a biotch is it to replace. And is there any trick I should know about before going at it?

[Brad97GS]

That is certainly a problem with the heater core. It is a pain in the butt to replace, but I think you should do it (might make you realize how easy working under the hood is!). It is located behind the center console - may be easiest to take the console off and then replace the core. When I did this job in my '89, I did not remove the console, and I had a terrible time!

You need to disconnect the heater hoses from the engine compartment (at the firewall) - that's a bit difficult (at least on mine) because the hoses go under the steering rack. Then, if you so choose, remove the center console. Then you need to take out about ten million screws holding the heater core housing in place - a few are well hidden, and I cracked the housing trying to pull it off. After opening the housing, you will see the heater core there, held in by two (I think) metal straps.

When I put mine back together, I did it sort of half-assed because I was a bit impatient. It worked, though I always heard a little coolant rushing sound after that - think I slightly kinked one of the coolant hoses so that a small air pocket would form. But my heat worked. ;)

As I stated in a different post, get an ALL METAL heater core, and you won't have this problem again! :)