1995 buick lesabre heater core leak

[csaservman58]

I have a pretty serious leak in the heater core area. for now i have bypassed it with a section of hose. Is replaceing the heater core a difficult job? are there any fittings that may be cracked or hoses/clamps that may be hidden in there? (it may be necessary to take off the fuse panel cover above it to gain access) anyone had any experience with a leaking heater core in this car? thanx.

[sturdei]

I've replaced mine three (or four) times now. I've got it down to about a 20 minute job. Easiest way is to pull the dashboard apart and remove the glove box. Then pull the bottom kick panel off the passenger side. The vacuum controller needs to be unplugged but you don't have to remove it. Pull the computer out of its slot and lay it on the floor. Then use a nut driver and remove the two screws that hold the heater core cover in place. You can get to one from the underside of the dash, but the upper one is easily reachable from the removed glove box hole. You need to carefully remove the metal control arm and then the heater core cover can be wiggled out of place. There are two screws that hold the back side of the heater core in place with a little bracket. Once its free, go to the engine compartment and remove the plastic fuse cover thing right up against the firewall. Use a channel lock pliers and pull off the hose clamps and yank the hoses free. Then go back inside and pull the heater core out. Honestly, the hardest part is getting the glove box out.

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

Originally Posted by sturdei

I've replaced mine three (or four) times now. I've got it down to about a 20 minute job. Easiest way is to pull the dashboard apart and remove the glove box. Then pull the bottom kick panel off the passenger side. The vacuum controller needs to be unplugged but you don't have to remove it. Pull the computer out of its slot and lay it on the floor. Then use a nut driver and remove the two screws that hold the heater core cover in place. You can get to one from the underside of the dash, but the upper one is easily reachable from the removed glove box hole. You need to carefully remove the metal control arm and then the heater core cover can be wiggled out of place. There are two screws that hold the back side of the heater core in place with a little bracket. Once its free, go to the engine compartment and remove the plastic fuse cover thing right up against the firewall. Use a channel lock pliers and pull off the hose clamps and yank the hoses free. Then go back inside and pull the heater core out. Honestly, the hardest part is getting the glove box out.

4 times is alot to replace it!
Buy the Steel package CORE, instead of the Plastic ones. It lasts alot LONGER!

[sturdei]

These were all the aluminum core replacements, guaranteed for "life". Unfortunately, that "life" was only about a year for each of them. I've changed to that long life anti-freeze and this last heater core has been good for quite some time now. I think it has even lasted over a year so far!