alright, looks like im gonna try to knock out the heater core..
i bought a core at pep boys for $60... ive done research on the install and what not. but im not 100% sure if i need to discharge my a/c or about flushing my coolant and draining it and what not.. also is there any other parts i need to grab just to go ahead and replace it? and any specialty tools? asking all these because when i did my plenum, i wasn't prepared.. and had to bum rides to town (30min away) just to get some little part and what not.. lol any tips and pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Discharging the AC all depends on what heater core you bought. OEM style or swivel. Me, I'd go with discharging and replacing both at the same time.

 

I am gonna second this notion. Go in once, do what ya gotta do, and don't worry about it again.

 

do you really think so on my truck though? it only has 78k on it.. AC works perfect. its just the heat :/ i can do the AC later when it goes out.. and the heater core i got is the spectra premium from pep boys. $60

 

The evap core is just as old as the heater core..... If your replacement has fixed inlet/outlet tubes, you are going to have to evacuate the A/C anyway..... probably.... and dropping the dash is not a trivial exercise.... Do you REALLY wanna go in there twice??

 

how much is it to evacuate the AC or can i do it myself or what? im not too knowledgeable about the AC. lol and by "fixed inlet outlet tubes", are you saying they don't "swivel"? if so, what's the difference and why?

 

Not sure on the cost to get the system discharged but its the best way to go. If you decide to do it on your own thats ummmm... well... not a good idea or you will have the "tree" huggers throwing things at you for killing mother earth and destroying life as we know it.. I personally didnt have to discharge the ac on my 01 when I replaced the heater core.

 

Evacuating ac system takes special equipment. It is a recovery unit. They usually will pull it out for no cost, but then sell it back to you. About $1.00 an ounce or more. But they willl also charge some labor as system has to have avacuum pulled on it before charging. Or you could cheat and blow it to atmosphere. But you would still have to vacuum down and recharge.

 

So what about draining the coolant to do the heater core? Do I have to do that a
Or no?