Heater Core: Service and Repair

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS/AIR BAGS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL
1. Remove the heater-A/C housing from the vehicle.
2. Remove the foam gasket surrounding the core tubes.

NOTE: Notice the orientation of the irregularly shaped gasket on the tubes. The gasket must be placed correctly to ensure proper sealing against the body during reinstallation.

Heater Core, Tubes, Retainers:

3. Remove the screws and retainers that secure the heater core and tubes to the heater-A/C housing.
4. Remove the mode door actuator if necessary, for clearance to remove the core.

Heater Core And Tubes:

5. Lift the heater core straight up and out of the heater-A/C housing.
6. When replacing individual tubes, loosen and remove the round tube-to-core clamp, and pull tube from core.

INSTALLATION

Heater Core, Tubes, O-rings:

1. When installing individual tubes, insert tube into core ensuring that tube O-ring is seated in core and not pinched. Hold tube in seated position while installing the round tube-to-core clamp.

NOTE: The round tube-to-heater-core clamp should be left loose enough to turn the tube in the core. Position the core in the housing, and then tighten the tube-to-heater-core clamp after orienting the tubes to the molded heater-A/C housing.

2. Lower the heater core into the heater-A/C housing.
3. Install the mode door actuator, if removed from housing for core removal.
4. Position the retainers over the heater core tubes. Install and tighten the screws that secure the heater core and retainers to the heater-A/C housing. Tighten the screws to 2.2 Nm (20 in. lbs.).

NOTE: The grounding strap is to be attached to the lower heater core tube retainer.

5. Reinstall the heater-A/C housing to the vehicle.