2003 Taurus SES - Heater Core Issue

Hello Fello Taurus Owners,

Yesterday, I used the heater for the first time this season. The air from the heater smelled of coolant. I then checked below the heater core area and the carpet was begining to become moist with coolant. For the short term, I added Prestone Stop Leak and the leaking has stopped. However, I wish to replace the Heater Core. Since this is my third Taurus (what did P.T. Barnum say was born everyday?), I have a collection of manuals.

-Is there a way to remove the core without removing the dash?
-Do I need to remove both air bags before the procedure?
-Have any of you replace your own Heater Core?
-And if so, please relate the repair.

Thank You,

FB88 :banghead:

Will any of my Taurus brothers help me with my car? 49 views. o responses.

Thank You

Hello Fello Taurus Owners,

Yesterday, I used the heater for the first time this season. The air from the heater smelled of coolant. I then checked below the heater core area and the carpet was begining to become moist with coolant. For the short term, I added Prestone Stop Leak and the leaking has stopped. However, I wish to replace the Heater Core. Since this is my third Taurus (what did P.T. Barnum say was born everyday?), I have a collection of manuals.

-Is there a way to remove the core without removing the dash?
-Do I need to remove both air bags before the procedure?
-Have any of you replace your own Heater Core?
-And if so, please relate the repair.

Thank You,

FB88 :banghead:

I replaced the heater core on my '02 Taurus last weekend in a little under 2 hours :) without removing the dash. I'll tell you how, but I don't have access to pictures because I'm on the road. (By the way, factory flat rate is around 4 hours).

1. Disconnect battery (to prevent airbag deployment)
2. Drain the cooling system or clamp off the hoses going to the heater core.
3. Remove glovebox
4. Remove radio/heater control panel
5. Remove ashtray and bracket
6. Remove blend door actuator from heater case
7. Remove shield below blend door actuator and GENTLY remove linkage arm to secondary blend door. CAUTION: ARM IS PLASTIC
8. Remove 3 screws holding heater core door
9. Remove the defroster outlet cover (pry up on aft panel and release clips)
10. Remove (3) 8mm bolts
11. Remove hinged dash side covers (they are held with clips)
12. Remove (2) 13mm bolts on each side of dash
13. With an assistant on the drivers side and you on the passenger side, pull the dash rearward and tilt up. This will give just enough clearance to remove the heater core and install the new one.
14. Reverse removal process.

:banghead: What took longer on mine than the heater core was removing the metal/rubber heater lines in the engine compartment and replacing them with hoses and tees/elbows. The metal lines were corroded through from the outside.

I hope this helps.