What Tools Are Needed To Service The Heater Box On A 97 Gmc Sierra

Heater core replacement is i of those jobs you have to practice if the windshield fogs when the defroster is running. Another visible sign of trouble is damp carpeting, usually on the passenger side of the vehicle nigh where the heater core is located. When working properly, the heater cadre sends rut to the cabin. When it leaks, it must exist replaced. Getting the job done ranges from piece of cake to hard, depending on the core's location inside your motorcar.

Don't Delay

Besides non functioning in the manner intended, a leaking heater cadre creates a mess. The liquid is coolant, also known as antifreeze, and it can harm your car. Antifreeze is also toxic and if somehow ingested, it can make a person very ill. Ethylene glycol, methanol and propylene glycol are amidst the main ingredients present and may lead to serious symptoms and even death if consumed and not immediately treated. Even if you lot don't drink the liquid coolant straight, the vaporized coolant tin can still circulate inside the vehicle. If that vaporized coolant ends up in your lungs, it can make y'all and your passengers sick. So don't put off a heater core replacement thinking you lot can just keep calculation coolant, the impairment can achieve further than you think.

Locate the Heater Core

Where did the manufacturer place the heater core? You may demand to reference a service transmission to find information technology, but it's typically institute in one of two areas.

Lift the hood and follow your car's cooling system towards the cabin to find what looks like a small version of your vehicle's radiator. 2 hoses connect to the heater core — 1 hose is tasked with transporting hot coolant from the water pump to the heater core. The second hose returns the coolant to the elevation of the engine. These hose connections are usually found on the passenger side of the engine firewall, only may also be plant near the centre. A blower or fan draws air through the heater core, directing air through the heater ducts to your car'due south interior.

Unfortunately, not all heater cores are prominently located. Some are located inside the dashboard. That ways you lot'll accept to remove the dash as well as the heating, air-conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system to reach it. In this instance, yous'll have to evacuate the air conditioning system as a issue of disconnecting the evaporator to remove the HVAC unit. It's at this point you may decide to permit your mechanic handle the job.

Completing the Task

Y'all'll need several tools to get this job done, including a jack, jacks stands, a socket set, wrenches, pliers, a bleed pan and rags. Besides a new heater core, you lot'll also need coolant. You may demand heater cadre hoses and hose clamps.

When you discover the heater core, raise the front of your vehicle, placing it on jacks. Drain the coolant from the radiator. Next, remove the heater drain tube and loosen the clamps on the heater core hoses. Remove the hoses connecting to the heater cadre. Inspect the hoses, every bit now would be a adept time to supervene upon them if they are rotten. Drain whatever coolant remains.

Before installing a new heater core, transfer any parts from the old heater core to the new 1. Install the new core, reinstall or replace the mounting clamps and then the hoses as well as the heater drain tube. Once the heater core, clamps, hoses and tube are secure, you're ready to add together new coolant to the radiator. Once filled, lower the vehicle.

Kickoff the engine, plough the heater on high and activate the fan to verify heat is blowing from the heater core. Once you're confident everything is working as required, all that is left is clean up. If the heater core came with an access comprehend, then install it. Recheck the radiator to ensure in that location is enough coolant nowadays as air pockets may escape the system and need additional fluid.

This job is doable, it only ranges from piece of cake to challenging, depending on where the heater is located inside your machine.

Bank check out all the heating & cooling partsavailable on NAPA Online or trust 1 of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more data on heater core replacement, chat with a knowledgeable adept at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Matthew C. Keegan View All

Matt Keegan has maintained his love for cars e'er since his father taught him kick tires can be one fashion to uncover a problem with a vehicle'southward suspension system. He since moved on to acquire a few things about coefficient of drag, Grand-forces, toe-heel shifting, and how to work the crazy infotainment organization in some random weekly driver. Matt is a fellow member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources.