I kinda already know the answer, but i was hoping that there may be something I'm overlooking..i have that antifreeze in the cab smell, no visible leaks or wet carpet..no measurable coolant loss.. but when i turn on the defrost my windows fog..could it be any thing other than the heater core?

 

Start pulling the dash and get it over with

 

If you don't have a wet carpet, then most likely it is a hose. If you have the coolant smell in the cab you are definitely leaking inside the cab, but obviously only a small amount.

 

Get in the engine compartment and feel the connection where the hoses meet the core. If you feel liquid it may be a hose but I doubt it. In rare occurrences a leak in the hose finds its way down the heater core.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

thanks for the response..i have the FSM and all of the instructions to replace the core..it looks like a nightmare..is it really as bad as it looks?

 

I know guys that have changed the heater cores on their F 150's and I guess it is something like a 12 hour job!! I hear the dealer charges around $1,200 to change them. I keep my fingers crossed that my 97 doesn't take a crap during the winter...or anytime for that matter. One other thing is I hear while you have it apart you might as well change the plastic blender door located somewhere above the transmission? I guess they get warped or whatever from the heat and will eventually go bad. Good luck.

 

No it isn't difficult. Follow the instructions and bag and tag the nuts and bolts and all will be fine. It helps to have a second set of hands to pull the dash out of the truck. I have done 5 or 6 of them. On my truck! It takes me about 5 hours now.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

JMC..too bad you dont live in Atlanta!!!!!

 

my trucks just crapped out on me too.. i am not to happy about it thats for sure! whatever.. its life just gotta move on!

 

You can do it!! I did. Ford pays 8 hrs flat rate on it- It took me a week in the evenings (mine was already taken ALMOST apart and in boxes when I got it) but with pics you can figure it out.

PS JMC- you need to buy better heater cores- STAY OUT OF THE SCRAPYARD!!

 

They're not that bad to do. Take your time, label everything, and you'll be good to go.

I've done quite a few. If I'm on my game and everything goes as planned, I can do them in about three or four hours.

 

yea it isnt as bad as you think. its just alot that has to come out. the worst part is putting it back together with every single screw. i'm glad i got a 93. just drop my glove box and 7 screws and my heater core is out

what are you talking about? who said anything about the scrapyard?

 

Since I rewired the blower motor so that the speed switch doesn't vary the resistance to ground I haven't had a failure.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I have 99 4x4 f150. My heater core just bit the dust. Shops want 800 dollars to put in a 41 dollar part. I live in the Motor city. Any one wants to help i sure would apprciate it lol. Just finish bypassing the core and cleaning antifreze off windows. Any short cuts or tips guys

 

Its not as bad as i thought it would be. I actually went to a junk yard that had a pretty well picked over expedition and did a "practice" run of pulling the dash and getting to the heater core..i figured better to test the process on a junker..it only took about and hour and a half to get to the core and get it out on the junker and it really wasn't that hard. I will pull mine over the weekend but after the trail run i expect no problems..overall i think the trial run on the junker was a good use of time as i now know where things hang up and get tricky..and i picked up a blend door for $2 bucks.