OK, I think my heater core is bad? I smell coolant when I turn the heat on. How hard is this to change? Does anyone have a step by step on how to do this?

Thank you for the help!

chitown[sm=americanasmiley.gif]

 

I'm pretty sure changing the heater core is quite the PITA. If i remeember correctly you have to take the entire dash out. Theres quite a lot of time devoted to simply getting to the heater core itself, then reassemblind everything.

 

The dash would need to come out or rolled onto the front seats. Then you can remove the heater box assy.

 

If you do it yourself, you will need a weekend and a 12 pack of beer to complete this job. while you are at it, this is a good time to check and clean the A/C coil as well since this is just next to the heater core.

 

This sounds like it's going to be fun!!! I don't do 12 paks, I am a 30 pak man........go big!

Thanx!

chitown

 

Can anyone tell me if there is a book or a manual I can buy for reference? Pictures are always a good thing.....lol

Thanx!

chitown

 

I think a chilton's or haynes manual will have what you are looking for. it's not fun I tell ya. At least a 8 hour or more for a first timer to remove the dash. Lots of things to unplug and etc. You will need alot of patience and make sure you mark everything in prepartion to put everything back together and everything still works. Otherwise you will need to tear the dash down again if you have forgotten to connect something.

 

Another recommendation, buy the heater core from the dealer itself. I had mine replaced and I did my homework looking for one. Most aftermarkets look cheapy and have alot of plastics, OEM version does not. all metal. Now when you buy one from the dealership, PLEASE INSPECT the core before you walk out of the parts counter. To my surprise, the first 2 cores they gave me off the shelf WAS CRAP! First one was rusted, and the 2nd one looks like it was used???? But the 3rd time and was their last one, brand spanking new. Maybe that is why some users were complaining there dealer installed replaceement cores did not last long because they were putting in some crappy cores?? They also have a 3yr/36k warranty on the heater core. Best warranty of any cores that I looked for on the net. Most aftermarket only offer a year. Core from dealer ran around $150.

 

I think I will call the local Dodge dealer for a quote. I will then go from there. Thanx again!!



chitown

 

I did my 2000 Durango a few months back. Wasn't too bad as long as you have patience, some background knowlegde, patience, some beer, and patience. There is a 2001 Dakota service manual posted in the Dak forum (thanks to whoever first posted it!) that helped a great deal. Virtually the same as the 2000 (some differences - electronic blend door, etc) but 95% the same. I found that this was the most helpful, the Haynes manual explained the whole process on 1 page, not enough pictures or detail, but it was somewhat helpful to use a combination of both. There were a few sticky things like the last HVAC mounting bolt that is right behind the exhaust manifold on the firewall, but all in all, I would do it again (this was my first core/evap/motor replacement). One tip that worked for me was to tape the bolts from something that you remove to the part itself. That way you are not guessing what bolt came form where. Good luck, let us know how it goes. By the way, did I mention patience?