Rear Heater Core

I have a slow leak in the rear heater core of my 98 Winstar. The manual says I have to drain the AC to remove the core. I really don't want to do that. Is there any way to swap heater cores with out venting the AC? Or maybe I will just clamp off the coolant lines to the back. Any body have a similar problem?

something i have used with success for small coolant leaks is alumaseal, can get it at any parts store. just fallow directions on package.

I'm puzzled at how the AC is related to the heater core? they seem to be independent systems. did you mean the coolant? if you meant the coolant, yes, it does need to be drained since the coolant runs through the heater core and replacing it without draining the coolant will be messy no doubt about it.

Hi Mundy5

Yep, I meant the AC. In the rear compartment, the AC coil and the heater core are bolted in the same enclosure. To remove either one requires disconnecting both sets of lines. I was just wondering if any one had come up with a way to drain and remove just the heater core.