How do you change a heater core on a 86 pontaic firebird?

Answer 1

I have successfully completed this repair but be forewarned it is time consuming and occasionally frustrating due to the extreme tight space you will have to work in.

In the Engine Compartment

#1. You will need to raise the front end of the car. Either drive onto a pair of ramps or jack the car and support on jackstands.

#2. Disconnect your battery's negative power cable.

#3. Drain the radiator.

#4. Remove the drain hose from the bottom of the heater case.

#5. Place a bucket or pan beneath the heater case( near the firewall where the heater hoses attaches to the heater core).

#6. Disconnect the heater hoses (2 in number). They are small tube-like hoses that are clamped to the end of the heater core. Allow any fluid in the hoses to drain into the bucket/pan. NOTICE: The hoses will be firmly fastened, if not fused to the core. You may have to cut and twist the hoses where they attache the to the metal tube ends of the heater core and replace with a new hoses upon completion.

In the Interior of the Car

#7. Work on the passenger side. Push the passenger seat as far back as possible. As odd as it sounds it, it may be better to sit upside down with your legs hanging over the back of the passenger seat to comfortably reach all the components. You must remove all the screws on the underside of the dashboard just above the floor mat area on the passenger side only.

#8. You should make a simple drawing of where each screw you removed came from and the order that you removed it. This will make returning all screws and parts infinitely easier!. Place the screws in a secure container. Do MIX NOT THEM UP with screws that you will find in areas of the dashboard not normally visible.

#9. Working from Right to Left remove all screws from the aforementioned area(s) until until you reach the radio/heater console. This will cause the dash to disassemble section by section. You will also have to allow the floor light and it's wiring to hang freely. Pay particular attention to the screws and nuts/bolts and securely place aside.

Remove the heater duct outlet(large panel-like pieces of plastic)and glove box.

Make a simple drawing and note where all parts go. It is not necessary to remove the heater or radio. You will find many invisible screws in the underside of the dash. This process will take approximately 3 to 5 hours over a 2 -3 day period.

#10. When you have removed all the duct work/panels. You will see a plastic cover over the heater core. Pull straight back--Do not Twist! Failure to follow direction may break the core's drain pipe.

#11. Remove the heater cover clamps and remove the actual core. CAUTION: The core is made of metal and has very sharp ends and corners. Wear gloves when attempting to remove/install.

Reverse all instructions to install new core.