Heater core woes.

mwhazup · 10-05-2009, 04:49 PM

have a '95 ranger and recently been smelling antifreeze inside the cab while driving. also, noticed what looks like steam coming from a/c vents when it's on and while driving. motor is running hotter than usual but thermostat seems to be working. water level drops everyday and has to be replaced. i'm sure the heater core needs to be replaced, but do i have to remove the entire dash? had a pontiac once and it took me a day and a half to replace the heater core. really don't want to go thru that again. please help!

xtopher · 10-05-2009, 05:40 PM

If its anything like the first gen then you are in luck. Basically what i did was locate the two tubes in the firewall, passenger side in the engine bay. They have metal clips on em that you need to remove. Inside the cab, passenger side again, there should be a panel thats clipped in. Mine is gray as you can see in the picture below. There are little black tabs that keep it locked in place, they pop out pretty easily. You should see the heater core in here once removed. When reinstalling it you might want someone to hold it in place while you put the tubes back on. When you go to buy the heater core pick up a mechanics book too. Its how i figured out mine.

P.S. I just wrote this in about 5 mins, so sorry if it doesnt make good sense.

RaiderKC · 10-05-2009, 10:06 PM

welcome to the site

**BrooklynBay** · 10-07-2009, 08:20 PM

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the Ranger section.

**Tbars4** · 10-07-2009, 08:57 PM

...Sorry to tell you this but, the 95 and up Rangers have to have the dash pulled to replace the heater core...These Rangers are just like the second gen X's...

...You can do it yourself and here is a "How To" thread...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=230020

10-05-2009, 04:49 PM	#1
mwhazup Wannabe Elite Explorer al 1995 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Heater core woes. have a '95 ranger and recently been smelling antifreeze inside the cab while driving. also, noticed what looks like steam coming from a/c vents when it's on and while driving. motor is running hotter than usual but thermostat seems to be working. water level drops everyday and has to be replaced. i'm sure the heater core needs to be replaced, but do i have to remove the entire dash? had a pontiac once and it took me a day and a half to replace the heater core. really don't want to go thru that again. please help!

10-07-2009, 08:20 PM	#4
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,685 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the Ranger section. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-07-2009, 08:57 PM	#5
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21,914 Vehicle Specs	...Sorry to tell you this but, the 95 and up Rangers have to have the dash pulled to replace the heater core...These Rangers are just like the second gen X's... ...You can do it yourself and here is a "How To" thread... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=230020 __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

10-05-2009, 05:40 PM	#2
xtopher Wannabe Elite Explorer Santa Rosa, CA 92 Sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 15 Vehicle Specs	If its anything like the first gen then you are in luck. Basically what i did was locate the two tubes in the firewall, passenger side in the engine bay. They have metal clips on em that you need to remove. Inside the cab, passenger side again, there should be a panel thats clipped in. Mine is gray as you can see in the picture below. There are little black tabs that keep it locked in place, they pop out pretty easily. You should see the heater core in here once removed. When reinstalling it you might want someone to hold it in place while you put the tubes back on. When you go to buy the heater core pick up a mechanics book too. Its how i figured out mine. P.S. I just wrote this in about 5 mins, so sorry if it doesnt make good sense.

10-05-2009, 10:06 PM	#3
RaiderKC Wannabe Elite Explorer Bardstown, Kentucky 97 sport, 99 limited Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 235 Vehicle Specs	welcome to the site