hey folks,
Just wanted to share some of the fun I've been into the last couple hours. After smelling coolant inside the vehicle I skimmed the wonderful internet to find advice leading to the heater core. Well sure enough it was leaking and I could actually see it leaking prior to doing what you see in the photos.
TIP: I used the base model electric Dremel rotary tool with quick attachment metal cutting discs to cut the frame. Don't forget to wear goggles! (dont get the battery powered dremel it sucks)
TIP: There are 2 bolts holding the frame solid where I circled in red - It stumped me for 20 mins why I couldn't bend the dash frame forward until I found the upside down bolt (10mm wrench I believe was the size)
TIP: cutting the plastic vent pipe I circled in yellow is almost impossible to cut without the proper tools - I ended up using a drill bit and drilling it until I basically sawed it off using only the drill bit.
I have a few questions
#1 do I have to drain the coolant before removing it?
#2 (if yes to #1)once I drain the coolant how much coolant will leak inside the vehicle once i remove the heater core?
#3 (#2 ifso) should i wedge a towel up under the heater core connection expecting the flood of coolant?
#4 the only thing I broke in the process was the plastic clamp that held on a sensor? indicated by the red arrow in the photo(what is that? should I get creative and clamp it back on by other means?)
#5 can I get replacement seals for that heater core connection? its clearly leaking from the connection
#6 should I just replace the whole thing to avoid replacing it in the future?
Just wanted to share some of the fun I've been into the last couple hours. After smelling coolant inside the vehicle I skimmed the wonderful internet to find advice leading to the heater core. Well sure enough it was leaking and I could actually see it leaking prior to doing what you see in the photos.
TIP: I used the base model electric Dremel rotary tool with quick attachment metal cutting discs to cut the frame. Don't forget to wear goggles! (dont get the battery powered dremel it sucks)
TIP: There are 2 bolts holding the frame solid where I circled in red - It stumped me for 20 mins why I couldn't bend the dash frame forward until I found the upside down bolt (10mm wrench I believe was the size)
TIP: cutting the plastic vent pipe I circled in yellow is almost impossible to cut without the proper tools - I ended up using a drill bit and drilling it until I basically sawed it off using only the drill bit.
I have a few questions
#1 do I have to drain the coolant before removing it?
#2 (if yes to #1)once I drain the coolant how much coolant will leak inside the vehicle once i remove the heater core?
#3 (#2 ifso) should i wedge a towel up under the heater core connection expecting the flood of coolant?
#4 the only thing I broke in the process was the plastic clamp that held on a sensor? indicated by the red arrow in the photo(what is that? should I get creative and clamp it back on by other means?)
#5 can I get replacement seals for that heater core connection? its clearly leaking from the connection
#6 should I just replace the whole thing to avoid replacing it in the future?
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