Heater Core: Service and Repair

Front Heater Core


Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable, then wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag system. Failure to take the proper precautions may result in accidental airbag deployment and possible serious or fatal injury.


Review the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation.


The heater core tubes are not serviced separately from the heater core. The heater core tubes should not be repositioned, loosened or removed from the heater core. Failure to follow this warning may result in a coolant leak and possible serious or fatal injury.

Removing

- Drain the engine cooling system.

- Disconnect the negative battery cable.

- Remove the left side instrument panel silencer, if equipped.

- Remove the foam seal (1) from the front of the HVAC housing (2).






- Disengage the shift lever cable from the retaining clip located at the bottom of the heater core cover (5).

- Remove the two screws (4) that secure the heater core cover to the left side of the air distribution housing (3).

- Rotate and tilt the heater core cover as necessary to disengage the retaining tab that secures the cover to the front of the HVAC housing (2), near the foam seal (1) and remove the cover.

• Take proper precautions to protect the carpeting from engine coolant. Have absorbent toweling readily available to clean up any spills.

- Remove the two clamps (1) that secure the heater tubes to the heater core.






- Disconnect the heater core tubes from the heater core and remove and discard the O-ring seals.

- Install plugs in, or tape over the opened heater core tubes and heater core ports.

- Carefully pull the heater core out of the driver side of the air distribution housing (2).

Installing

• If the foam seal around the heater core is deformed or damaged, it must be replaced.

- Carefully install the heater core into the driver side of the air distribution housing (2).






- Remove the tape or plugs from the heater core tubes and heater core ports.

- Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean engine coolant and install them onto the heater core tubes. Use only the specified O-ring as they are made of a special material for the engine cooling system.

- Connect the heater core tubes to the heater core.

- Install the two clamps (1) that secure the heater core tubes to the heater core. Tighten the screws on the clamps to 1.7 Nm (15 in. lbs.)

- Position the heater core cover (5) to the HVAC housing (2) and engage the retaining tab that secures the cover to the housing, near the foam seal (1).






- Install the heater core cover onto the air distribution housing (3) and install the two retaining screws (4). Tighten the screws to 1.2 Nm (10 in. lbs.)

- Engage the shift lever cable to the retaining clip located at the bottom of the heater core cover.

- Install the left side instrument panel silencer, if equipped.

- Connect the negative battery cable.

- If the heater core is being replaced, flush the cooling system.

- Refill the engine cooling system.