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I have been struggling with this problem for quite a while and first let me say that to remove and replace the heater core from a 1988 Ford Taurus is not an easy task at all. The basic repair manuals that can be found and purchased at any auto parts store make it sound a whole lot easier than it is. Never the less I never would have gotten to the "core" of the problem without buying one; I purchased one published by HAYNES but if you can find one published by FORD I would expect it to be more specific and helpful.

In order to get to the heater core you must

* disconnect the battery

* disconnect the 2 coolant hoses from the engine compartment side of the firewall

* Disconnect the A/C lines at the firewall (see below)

* Then you must totally disassemble and remove the ENTIRE DASHBOARD

* ** disconnect all electrical connections and gauges from drivers and passengers side

** disconnect column mounting bolts - allow to lay on drivers seat

* Once you have removed the dashboard laying it on the floorboard then you will be able to see and access the plastic heater case cover.

* But here is where the key information is. There are 3 bolts that attach the plastic heater case cover to the engine compartment firewall. These 3 bolts got thru the firewall and are secured with 3 nuts on the engine side.

* ** What the repair manual DOESN'T MENTION is that there are 2 nuts on each of the 3 bolts, one right behind the other!

* I have JUST NOW FINALLY removed the second set of 3 nuts which has given me the ability to remove the plastic cover/case and FINALLY access, remove, and replace the heater core.

Now, putting everything back together the way it is supposed to be is no doubt going to be another major challenge that I'm not looking forward to but I have gotten this far and I am definitely determined to succeed at fixing this problem and getting back.... on the road again!

These connectors requires a special tool to disconnect.

There is a spring up inside the round part of the 'female' end of the fitting - the tool slips over the pipe and the slides up inside to expand the spring, releasing the connection.

Not very expensive and widely available. Amazing but true, in order to change the heater core you must first remove the entire dash. I don't know what they were thinking when they designed this, obviously not about changing the #@!* heater core. You basically have to start at the front of the dash and unhook the instruments from each panel. By the time you get done, everything except the steering column has to be disconnected.

In order to get the dash out, tilt the steering wheel to the lowest position.

The most difficult part, besides keeping track of where everything goes, is removing the 3 nuts that hold the heater to the back of the engine compartment.

Two of the three nuts are almost impossible to see. It took me two hours just to find and remove these three nuts. One is fairly easy to get to, it's near the heater hose connections. The other two you must get at from underneath. One is on the firewall above the catalytic converter, the other is below the Power Steering pump (depending on year and engine).

Look for the threaded studs sticking through into the engine compartment. They are hard to see and even harder to get to to turn. Good luck. You will need it. Two of the firewall bolts are easy or hard to find, depending on the person i guess cuz our problem is finding the ONE.

We also had to disconnect the steering wheel to get the dash down far enough.

When i find the last bolt, i will tell everyone our findings to the last detail, a picture in words if you will. but, i gotta say, you are by far, the closest answer anyone has come to by answering the notorious *heater core removal* question. to anyone, yes, good luck with it cuz it is a pain to do. and whatever you do It is highly recommended to have it done by a professional. Mine cost over $500 because the entire dash has to be removed to gain access. Do not attempt it's not worth the hassle.I removed my 93 Taurus dash to replace the heater core it's a nightmare rather pay the money and be done with it. Took me 14 hours to strip and re assemble and a lot of cussing. By the way, the reason a heater goes bites the dust is because the coolant hasn't been serviced often enough. Old coolant enables electrolysis and that eats away at the heater core. It is under the center of the dash and the is a cover with four or five hard to reach little bolts that hold it in, also to remove it you have to disconnect the two houses going into from the engine compartment. Be careful when taking off the cover because if it is leaking it will poor nasty stuff all over the inside of car on the floor. AutoFox, sgfox78@yahoo.com If you need the parts or more information email me. There is no short cut or fast way to do this. The dash has to come out to access the heater box and replace the core. So the steps in replacing the heater core are to evacuate the freon out of the AC system, disconnect the heater hoses, disconnect the AC lines and AC drier from the evap core fittings, remove the dash, remove the entire AC/heater box, open the top of the case and replace the core. Reassembly is in the reverse order as disassembly. Recharge the AC system, fill the cooling system with new coolant, and burp the air form the cooling system. I would recommend buying the Sable/Taurus manual, or, do what I did: make copies of those pages from the manual at the library! Only costs about a $1 in the copy machine. The diagrams and directions will make removal a whole bunch easier. The dash has to be loosend or removed to gain access. It can be a real pain if you have never done one. Dont recomment it buy yourself the first time.

Answer

No! Replacing the heater core is never easy.


I have 1990 Ford Taurus that belonged to my husband who passed away. If you look around you will find someone who knows a lot about these cars since there were a lot of them and I have found out that those people are usually really smart about cars and they enjoy talking about them, or like to fix them. :) If they don't respond fast and are not nice blow them off quickly.

Anything can be done if you know how.
I don't know about the heater core but can tell you that 3 mechanics wanted to put in a new fuel pump and it would have cost me 650.00 when all I needed was a new filter and relay system.
The person who helped me works for Autozone. I will ask him about the heater core and let you know what he tells me. == == Go to a FORD dealer, and ask the parts counter person for a CHILTON or HAINES repair manual. Buy it and you will have a complete book on how to repair YOUR vehicle, with step by step photo pages that even tell you what TOOLS you will need to have. This book will save you MONEY, and keep you from making expensive mistakes. The cost should be about $25. There is no short cut or fast way to do this. The dash has to come out to access the heater box and replace the core. So the steps in replacing the heater core are to evacuate the freon out of the AC system, disconnect the heater hoses, disconnect the AC lines and AC drier from the evap core fittings, remove the dash, remove the entire AC/heater box, open the top of the case and replace the core. Reassembly is in the reverse order as disassembly. Recharge the AC system, fill the cooling system with new coolant, and burp the air form the cooling system. Replace heater core

A heater "coil" is much better known as the heater core.

See "Related Questions" below for much much more about Taurus / Sable heatercores...


There is no short cut or fast way to do this. The dash has to come out to access the heater box and replace the core. So the steps in replacing the heater core are to evacuate the freon out of the AC system, disconnect the heater hoses, disconnect the AC lines and AC drier from the evap core fittings, remove the dash, remove the entire AC/heater box, open the top of the case and replace the core. Reassembly is in the reverse order as disassembly. Recharge the AC system, fill the cooling system with new coolant, and burp the air form the cooling system.
This is not an easy thing as the a/c ducts have to come out. Gat a manual from DISCOUNTAUTOREPAIRMANUALS.C0M. It will help acquaint you with your car also.
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Q: How do you remove the heater core on a 1986-1995 Taurus -Sable?
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