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I just completed replacing the heater core in my '01 Dakota. It's quite the job that took me 2 1/2 days as I did take my time. I did learn that even though you have to disconnect the dash you can just **** the passenger side of the dash out of the way to access the air box. Doing it this way you don't have to unplug the electronics on the driver's side. But I did have to remove the passenger side wheel and inner plastic fender well to gain access to the one nut that was right behind the transmission fill tube. It's not a hard job just a tedious project due to all the wire plugs and numerous screws that need to be removed.
I just completed replacing the heater core in my '01 Dakota. It's quite the job that took me 2 1/2 days as I did take my time. I did learn that even though you have to disconnect the dash you can just **** the passenger side of the dash out of the way to access the air box. Doing it this way you don't have to unplug the electronics on the driver's side. But I did have to remove the passenger side wheel and inner plastic fender well to gain access to the one nut that was right behind the transmission fill tube. It's not a hard job just a tedious project due to all the wire plugs and numerous screws that need to be removed.
Evidently there was a change during production. When I did the heater core on my '97, I just took the steering column and then the dash assembly out completely. I also removed the front seats to clean the carpet as the previous owners were HEAVY smokers and I wanted to get the stench out. The extra room made it a lot easier. I replaced both the heater core and the a/c expansion coil to avoid going in again. I also cleaned the inside of the heater plenum to get the tobacco smell out. I sed alcohol based window cleaner and there was a yellow stream of nicotine running out of it.
I could have left the dash in the truck and tilted it back, but the extra room was welcome.
I purchased my Dakota as a repo with 2K on it and every now and then using the heat I get a mild tobacco smell out the vents. I think a few cigarette's must have dropped down the defrost vents from the previous repo owner.
luckily it's very mild and usually on the first few times I need heat during summer I never smell it.
What's crazy is the first week I owned it I found 5 un deposited checks under the seat I think the repo owner must have been in construction of some kind. the dealership never cleaned the truck out I found tools also and cash.
I purchased my Dakota as a repo with 2K on it and every now and then using the heat I get a mild tobacco smell out the vents. I think a few cigarette's must have dropped down the defrost vents from the previous repo owner.
luckily it's very mild and usually on the first few times I need heat during summer I never smell it.
What's crazy is the first week I owned it I found 5 un deposited checks under the seat I think the repo owner must have been in construction of some kind. the dealership never cleaned the truck out I found tools also and cash.
That's probably why it was a repo. Lack of attention to detail. I had a Ford Expedition I got from a heavy smoker and to get the tobacco smell out of the vents, I used "Ozium" from the parts store. I used to use "Odor Gun" but haven't seen it in years. I sprayed Ozium into the dash vents and forced it through with a leaf blower. I didn't notice the smoke smell after that. The smell comes from mold that grows on the tobacco particles in the vents. It dries out in the winter from being heated. In the summer, the moisture from cooled air promotes it. Lysol will stop it for a bit, but Ozium seems to clean it up.
That's probably why it was a repo. Lack of attention to detail. I had a Ford Expedition I got from a heavy smoker and to get the tobacco smell out of the vents, I used "Ozium" from the parts store. I used to use "Odor Gun" but haven't seen it in years. I sprayed Ozium into the dash vents and forced it through with a leaf blower. I didn't notice the smoke smell after that. The smell comes from mold that grows on the tobacco particles in the vents. It dries out in the winter from being heated. In the summer, the moisture from cooled air promotes it. Lysol will stop it for a bit, but Ozium seems to clean it up.
What's funny is, I used to buy that stuff at the Head Shop back in the late 70's, so my car didn't smell like pot.
What's funny is, I used to buy that stuff at the Head Shop back in the late 70's, so my car didn't smell like pot.
I remember a guy I went to school with wanted to mess with the police. He had heard that charred strawberry leaves smell like pot. Him and a buddy keep charring them with the pop out cigarette lighters in his car. It worked too well. The police pulled him over for speeding then the next thing he knew, several patrol cars showed up. They had been doing a drug enforcement sweep. They didn't find anything except charred leaves. Then they left. After taking his car apart. Seats out, wheels and wheel covers sitting on the ground, trunk panels pulled out. He was left standing on the side of the road with the doors, hood and trunk open while everybody drove past.
Last edited by ol' grouch; Jan 21, 2026 at 06:35 AM.
Reason: i kant spel wurth a durn
I remember a guy I went to school with wanted to mess with the police. He had heard that charred strawberry leaves smell like pot. Him and a buddy keep charring them with the pop out cigarette lighters in his car. It worked too well. The police pulled him over for speeding then the next thing he knew, several patrol cars showed up. They had been doing a drug enforcement sweep. They didn't find anything except charred leaves. Then they left. After taking his car apart. Seats out, wheels and wheel covers sitting on the ground, trunk panels pulled out. He was left standing on the side of the road with the doors, hood and trunk open while everybody drove past.
Heater core
