Heater Core on 1995 T-Bird

[sarah95tbird]

It appears that the heater core has died on my 1995 T-Bird. How difficult is it to remove and replace? Does the dash have to come all the way out?

[melfan]

Originally Posted by sarah95tbird

It appears that the heater core has died on my 1995 T-Bird. How difficult is it to remove and replace? Does the dash have to come all the way out?

On every T-Bird I have ever worked on the heater core is behind the dash so the dash WILL have to come out. It should be behind the glovebox. You should be able to look under the dash or pull down the glovebox and see it. I am guessing because I have not worked on a 95 before.

It is not a complicated task just time consuming. The heater core is very cheap (around $40) but it's the labor that gets you. I had one replaced on my 85 and the core was $35 and the labor was $450.

So if you can do it yourself you can save big $$$. Pick up a Chilton or better yet a shop manual for the 95 this will help you see how to remove it.

Hope this helps.

[97Bird]

Look in the "Important: tech help" thread at the top of the main forum page for info on how to replace the heater core. It was posted by CamaroSSBoy346 on the first page.

[sarah95tbird]

That you guys for replying to my question. Since the dash must come out, I decided it best to let the dealer take care of it. Hold onto your seats, but it pays 10 hours which is equal to $845!! Ouch, but I don't want a general repair shop (and definitely not myself!) pull out the dash because without the right experience I'd be afraid that it may not go back in properly - especially since the car is 11 years old and it's had time for those plastic clips, etc. to get brittle. My sanity is worth alot and I don't think I'd be able to handle all the squeaks that an improperly installed dash would potentially make. I LOVE my Bird and don't want to part with her, so $845 isn't THAT bad, right? Anyway the heat hasn't worked for 3 years because the hinge that controls the blend door broke (which required $800 labor to pull the dash out) so I had it parked on A/C and called it good since in Houston, TX AC is MUCH more important than heat. I'm really glad now that my 'cheapness' got in the way of that because if I'd paid the money then to pull the dash out to fix that $6 part, I'd probably be paying it again for this darn heater core. At least now I'll have heat again in time for winter! Again, thanks for posting a reply for me.

[speed95]

$845 for a dealer to do the work isn't bad in the Houston area. My heater core busted awhile back and most small shops wanted $900 and the dealers around here just looked at me funny. I havent done mine yet but might next week.

Also if you like to hang out with other people that love their birds let me know. I always plan meets for the Houston area group. If you got time check out TCCoA.com and look for the Texas Chapter.

[sarah95tbird]

Speed95 - I got my car done at Russell & Smith Ford on the 610 loop here in Houston. If you live close you ought to go over there to have the work done. They did a great job and my service advisor, Russell, is a true professional. Please email me if you'd like any other information.
~Sarah