Heater core replacement

Tiny
WANTTOBEPILOT
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I need to remove the (Power Adjustable Pedals W/ Memory) IE accelerator, brake pedals. It is mounted as a single unit. This will be the only way that I can gain access to the heater core for replacement.
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 AT 8:39 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

I have included in the diagrams below the step by step guide(s) for the removal, installation,and calibration of the heater core/HVAC system in your vehicle. I have also included a link down below for AC recovery as well. Hope this helps and let us know how it goes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
FDM2000
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,355 MILES
I have a 2004 T&C LX and recently I have noticed a sweet aroma when I first turn on the heater fan, also the windows inside get fogged up land do not respond to the defrost setting.

Could this be a simple fluid hose leak or am I going to have to deal with a defective heater core and all its replacement issues and expense when taken to the dealer?

I thought I had extended added care warranty coverage for this heater component, but a read of the coverage doesn't mention heater core anywhere!

Thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

Frank
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Sorry heater core no hoses inside car
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FDM2000
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Docfixit

Thanks for the response and input. My fears are confirmed. Looks like and labor intensive, expensive undertaking. Sure hope the anitfreeze aerosol is not a hazard to my respiratory system.

Frank
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
If you don't mind the cold remove hearter hoses and connect together with pipe and clamps.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
44FRANK86
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 66,000 MILES
Coolant leaking from engine side of fire wall passenger side. Plugged hoses to heater and leak stopped. If heater core has to be replaced how do I get to it?
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Removal - FRONT HEATER CORE

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal injury or death.

WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation. Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal injury or death.

1. Remove the silencer boot fasteners located around the base of the lower steering shaft from the dash panel so that it may be pushed aside.
2. Remove the brake lamp switch from its mounting bracket.
3. Disconnect the power brake booster input rod (push rod) from the pin on the brake pedal arm.
4. If equipped with power adjustable pedals, remove the adjustable pedal assembly.

NOTE: Take the proper precautions to protect the carpeting below the heater core from spilled engine coolant and have absorbent toweling readily available to clean up any spills.

5. Remove the heater core tubes.
6. Remove the two screws that secure the heater core mounting plate to the HVAC air distribution housing.
7. If NOT equipped with power adjustable pedals, pull the accelerator pedal upward (Accelerator Pedal) and push the brake pedal downward (Brake Pedal) for clearance to remove the heater core from the air distribution housing.
8. Remove the heater core by carefully pulling it straight out of the side of the air distribution housing.

Installation - FRONT HEATER CORE

1. If NOT equipped with power adjustable pedals, pull the accelerator pedal upward and push the brake pedal downward for clearance to install the heater core into the HVAC air distribution housing.
2. Install the heater core by carefully pushing it straight into the side of the air distribution housing.
3. Install the two screws that secure the heater core to the air distribution housing. Tighten the screws to 2 Nm (17 in. Lbs.).
4. Install the heater core tubes.
5. If equipped with power adjustable pedals, install the adjustable pedal assembly
6. Connect the power brake booster input rod (push rod) to the pin on the brake pedal arm.
7. Install the brake lamp switch into its mounting bracket.
8. Install the silencer boot around the base of the lower steering shaft on the dash panel.
9. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
10. If the heater core is being replaced, flush the cooling system.
11. Refill the engine cooling system.
There you go.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TINAMARIE2007
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  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
How much is it to fix heater core how long does it take?
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Hi:
The cost of the heater core should be $100.00 or less. However, the labor is going to hurt because the dashboard has to be removed. I believe the flat rate is around 6 hours x labor rate.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Joe
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRAZURI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
My car overheated and the shop said the hose from the anti freeze area to the back of the car cracked. The part alone was $700. Can you explain this to me? He said something with the heater core, going thru the fire wall.

Thank you!
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
If its the heater hoses and line to the rear heater system
You can use regular heater hoses and no need to spend that much money for an original parts
but if its the heater core that need to be replaced than its all labor to get to it
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARMARHAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
1998 Town & Country LXi - About a year ago, fog started forming in the center of windshield occasionally. Months ago, floorboard on driver's side became wet. A week ago, the entire windshield started fogging over, the entire floorboard is soaked, car smells like coolant inside, and the heater/ac will not turn on. Is this the heater core, blower motor, or multiple problems? Don't want to run out buying parts until we know what we're looking at.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Sound's like your heater core is leaking and needs to be replaced. So your blower fan is inop in any speed?Something could have been damaged from the coolant. Do you have a multimeter to do some testing?
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARMARHAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Blower doesn't turn on at all, ac or heat. Don't know if it's relevant, but the lights on the buttons for air & rear window wiper/defrost, etc. (All on the ac/heater panel) have been flashing for several months. We do have a multimeter.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So the light's are flashing like in a sequence or they stay on for a while then go off then come back on later?Have you checked all the fuse's?It says you have to remove the glove box to replace the blower motor but I bet if you look you can find the wire going to it without removing the glove box to do some testing. Put the key in the run position turn the blower motor on high you should have battery voltage on the dark blue wire and 2 ohms or less on the black wire with a tan stripe let me know what you find.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOW LANCELOT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,725,000 MILES
I have a 1998 Chrysler Town and Country. I'm getting a bit of leaking from the front passenger side, a mix of coolant and water. Yesterday, while idling the heat turns to cold air. Is this most likely the heater core?

What size job is this for a weekend do-it-yourselfer?

Thanks.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Yes that is most likely the problem
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOW LANCELOT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for your reply. In my research it seems that a bad core manifests as a leak in the passenger floor board. My leak is at the front of the engine on the passenger side. Is that possible, or has that leaked caused the core to fail?

Thanks again.
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Are you talking at the front bumper or firewall?
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Monday, November 16th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)

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