Heater core problem, PLEASE HELP

[jogoff69]

About 4 months ago I noticed radiator fluid leaking on the passenger side, near the firewall, of my 91 caprice classic 305. It has slowely gotten worse. I am constantly putting fluid into her now. I recently had a new catalytic converter, and oxygen sencor installed to pass emissions. ( I was failing emissions pretty bad before I did this.) I barely passed emissions. I was told by the mechanic that I had a " blown heater core." He told me it was about $ 500 to fix it. I asked if this is a project I could do myself. He told me I would have to take out the entire A/C system to replace the heater core, and it was something only a trained mechanic should do. Something did not seem right with his answer. Do I really need to take out the entire A/C system to replace a heater core? Where exacly is the heater core? Any advise on repalcing it will help alot. I live outside Chicago, and as you can imagine it is very cold. I have no heat at all. My windshield literally has about a quarter inch of ice on the inside, and when I turn on the defroster smoke fills my car. I can not afford $ 500. I hate seeing my car like this. Everything else seems to be perfect on her. PLEASE HELP.

[burnM]

You shouldn't have to remove the a/c to get to your heater core.
Drain the coolant.
Disconnect the heater hoses at the firewall and plug them with something.
From inside the car, remove the lower right dash insulation panel. If you remove the glove box too, it will be easier later on.
Remove any vacuum lines that may be in the way.
Remove the brace and cover that surrounds the heater core. There are a couple of screws that are hard to get to. Roll back the carpet to get better access to them. Remove the heater core clamp bolt, and the heater core itself (slide it out).
Put in new heater core.
Reassemble everything.
Make sure when you put everything back together, that the cover surrounding the heater core is air tight.
Fill the cooling system with 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water.
Change the thermostat while you're at it for good measure.

I may have missed something along the way, but it shouldn't be that hard to do. Good luck!

[Genopsyde]

burn, the camaro forum misses you.

[RageCage]

On my 85 Caprice I am able to replace the htr core by going in from the engine side. No need to mess with glove box, carpets, etc. I just have to remove the ductwork around the core, on the engine side, and have to flex the a/c pipes a little bit when removing stuff. Just a lot of screws to remove/replace.

Rage

[limodrivr]

Funny,
I just described my heater core adventure with my 85 Caprice last night; it's probably under my subject/(id=limodrivr) , although I thought I created a new subject and don't see it this morning.
Bottom line: hope you re-sealed the firewall else water could seep into the inboard computer located next to front passenger's right leg, behind a panel !
Hal in NJ

[burnM]

Thanks Geno, I haven't posted there in a while but I check in from time to time... I'll have to stop in again soon.

RageCage, On an '85 Caprice you may be able to access the core that way, but from '91 & up the only thing you can see from the engine side of the firewall are the hoses for the a/c and heater core protruding through the sheetmetal. I'd throw up a pic for everyone but I broke my digicam a while back. Next time I get under the hood of my '85, I'll take a look at the difference. I've never had to change one in a boxy.

[jogoff69]

I want to thank everyone that responded. After taking a look at what you guys told me, I am going to save alot of money doing this myself. I also realised my mechanic is full of sh@t. Thanks Burn.