'93 Explorer XLT - Heater Core

[OldChrome]

With the help of member mekelly, I was able to (finally) solve the issue with my fuel line failure. Now, with a few extra bucks leftover (I had set aside for replacing the entire gas tank), I am going to replace my heater core.

The heater core blew out in 2011 when she was still my step-son's ride. We just lip-spliced the in-and-out hoses together and bypassed the issue. It really doesn't get much notice except during the winter when defrosting the windshield falls back on hand-pocket warmers stuffed up on the dash, lol.

Heater cores are usually a pain in the butt but according to a You Tube vid, it is fairly simple with this model. I am going to try and insert that vid below.

My questions are:
- The vid is on a Sport edition but appears identical to my XLT from what I can see. Am I missing anything?
- Besides removing the glove box and the panel below it, is there anything else or any special tools required?
- From the video, it appears that the heater core just drops in without any separate securing devices. Anything being left out?

Video follows:


Thanks in advance for any and all comments, suggestions and directions!

Mike

...

 

[natenkiki2004]

From the times I've looked at it, it seems very straightforward, unlike some vehicles. I'd say just start taking parts off and seeing how it was put together at the factory. It's easy access and there can't be much to screw up, especially since your old one is toast

 

[2lungking]

man i wish it was that easy on my ford ranger the steering columm and dash had to come out.

 

[OldChrome]

Thanks for the replies... going to replace the heater core and the the old air filter box with a round, clamp-on filter in the same day... I hope.

 

[Number4]

It's pretty easy, that's about all I remember.

 

[malohnes]

No extra or special tools needed. Just remove the heater lines and tip the core back and once the nipples of the core clear the firewall, the core drops down a hair and comes right out. its very simple when you get into it.

 

[OldChrome]

Thanks again all!

 

[Arne13]

Havn't had to do the explorer, yet. On my old BroncoII the heater core was bad when I bought it. I had just put one in my old oldsmobile and it was a nightmare, the whole dash was sitting in the back seat before I was done. Pulled the heater hoses on the Bronco and 5 screws and the core fell into the passenger side floorwell. Only thing I should of had was a pan to catch the spilled antifreeze. Don't sposeit is quite that easy on the Explorer. Arne.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Havn't had to do the explorer, yet. On my old BroncoII the heater core was bad when I bought it. I had just put one in my old oldsmobile and it was a nightmare, the whole dash was sitting in the back seat before I was done. Pulled the heater hoses on the Bronco and 5 screws and the core fell into the passenger side floorwell. Only thing I should of had was a pan to catch the spilled antifreeze. Don't sposeit is quite that easy on the Explorer. Arne.

The Bronco II is the same as the 1st gen Explorer. That's why I'm grateful to have the Explorer, despite many people complaining, it's actually an easy vehicle to work on. Most things are accessible without huge disassembly. On some newer cars, something as simple as the blower motor going bad is expensive enough to fix (if you don't do the daunting job yourself) as a head gasket. Might be easy to do in the factory when they have a machine lifting the entire dash and there's no dust, dirt or other mysteries on the fasteners.

 

[OldChrome]

Amazing. The old one popped right out and the new one dropped right in. Have a heater core again come winter, lol.

If only ALL heater cores were this easy!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[darryl97420]

How did you get the carpet out? I see the plastic holders but am not sure how to take them out without damaging them. Thanks.

 

[Arne13]

Like I said, havn't done the explorer yet, but if it is like the baby bronco, just unhook the heater hoses by the firewall under the hood, go to the passenger side, maybe get something to catch any antifreeze spills, then take the screws out that hold the heater core in. Drop it out, stick the new one in, screws back, hook up the heater hoses (check them out and be sure they don't have to be replaced, better now than when it is really cold out), fill back up with antifreeze and make sure you don't have any airlocks in there. Arne.