Heater Core Replacement 83 Seville Report

[georgie49]

On March 18 I posted asking for information involved in replacing the heater core. I received a post from TJ Hopland passing on a list of 27 steps necessary to do this job. I have now completed the job. In case anyone is interested in attempting this in the future I offer the following comments. The list provided is a good start. The job is not technically difficult but tedious as there must be 30 or 40 fasteners that must be removed to take apart the dash and get at the core. The difficulty is finding all of these fasteners and identifying the items referenced in the list. I can offer a couple of additions. In step 12 which references the programmer arm, the programmer is black plastic like the HVAC case and is held on the end of the HVAC case with two fasteners.  The arm that must be disconnected is on top. There are two other items that must be removed from that vicinity to remove the HVAC case, a flat silver electronic module that mounts at the bottom of the golve box opening and is fastened to the HVAC case, and a multiple electric connector that is mounted on the left side of the glove box opening. Step 21 calls for removal of the A/C power module from the evaporator case under the hood. When the module is unfastened it must be lifted up and out to get the module heat exchanger plate out of the way. When that is done (believe it or not) the fourth nut is easily viewed and easy to remove. Contrary to what I read somewhere it is not necessary to remove the evaporator case to get at this bolt. Anyway, thanks to all who responded to my post, and I hope these remarks will make it a little easier for the next brave soul who trys this repair. George Bergen CLC 10261

[waterzap]

How long did if take you? Start to finish? Weekend job or weeks?

[TJ Hopland]

I will have to add this to my notes for if and when I have to do this project. 

Im guessing it will happen at some point since I really like this body style and they are all getting to the age where this will be needed.


Side note, typical protocol for this type of forum would be to keep all this in the same thread even if you were replying to yourself.   The way it is now in 3 posts someone searching may not see or be able to easily find all 3 threads / topics and get all the information.   

[georgie49]

If I recall the list provided estimated 9 hours for this job.  I did not keep a totally accurate count of the hours I spent, but worked on it off and on over a two week period and probably spent about 12 hours total. Much of that time was spent trying to figure out what to do next so wasn't actually time spent making the repair.  Like all similar jobs, if I had to do it over I could probably do it in half the time. I have not used this forum much in the past so did not realize it was customary and better to continue the original post rather than starting a new discussion. I will keep that in mind the next time I initiate a discussion.
George Bergen

[TJ Hopland]

Not many dash related projects seem to go quick especially the first time.   Its just so hard to tell exactly where and how hard to pull and pry on things.  Its nice to have tips from a 'normal' person that has done the job.

As for forum practices you score above average by having a very specific detailed subject.  Even though your topic is spread between 3 threads it should come up easily in searches because of the subject.   Wish more users would put a little more thought into their subjects.