Heater Core Busted... Bypass???

[bombproof]

Last night I was driving my 93 XLT with the A/C on. All of the sudden I noticed what seemed to be white (or frosty) air coming from the vents. Then I smelled antifreeze. I shut the air off completely and I could still see the "white air" slowly rolling out of the vents. I know that this is a sign of the heater core going kaput.... Not having the money to go out and get a new heater core, I was wondering how I could bypass it for the time being. I had a mechanic do the same thing when I was driving my 86 Bronco a few years ago. I just do not know how to physically do the job myself... I can disconnect and take it out... but do I need to plug something up? Make cut-offs somehow? Can someone please help. The smell is making me ill and I need to be out and about today. Thanks in advance! Brian

 

[Rangerboy]

Just unhook the hoses from the heater core and put a coupling in the end of one of the hoses and then couple them together. No big deal.

 

[bombproof]

Just unhook the hoses from the heater core and put a coupling in the end of one of the hoses and then couple them together. No big deal.

Thanks bud. Didnt watch him do it the first time, so wasnt sure what all had to be done.

 

[Glacier991]

yeah just unhook at firewall. A barbed hose coupler of the right size and a couple clamps should do the trick.

 

[bombproof]

Well, out of 4 auto parts stores, not one had a coupler bigger than 1/2". And I needed one for a 1" hose. So I threw in the towel and got a new core. Anyone know what year that Ford started making this project an all day event? Mine is a '93. I know that it used to be an easy job until Ford did what Ford does. I am hoping that replacing the core will take under 30 min. In fact, I'm praying that it is... Anyone have any follow up info for me?

 

[Glacier991]

Auto stores will not carry those. Go to a hardware store or a Home Depot. The plastic ones will work fine, but long term are not designed for high temps. As for the changeover I cannot say. Look under the glovebox area, if you see a little molded black box on the inside firewall and hooked to (or a molded part of) the heater/AC plenum with 2 screws in the bottom, you are IN LUCK. Those two screws are all that stand between you and warmmmmth and no leaks. If it's different I would guess you are screwed. I'm not where I can check my 93 CD on the Ex, sorry. Hope this helps.

 

[bombproof]

Well, the warmth isnt what I am after. It's Atlanta... and its just about summer. I need the A/C (minus the nauseating antifreeze smell) It's raining now so can't do much about it. But I'll check, with my fingers crossed, for it under the glove box.

 

[Glacier991]

Let us know what you find. If you DO find what I described, let me know and I can walk U thru it from memory I hope. It's a piece of cake IF that is what you have. Meanwhile the short term fix is of course the connector, readily available if you go to the right places. Also I was mistaken, there are 4 screws that hold that housing bottom onto the plenum, not 2.

 

[marragtop]

It's an easy job. Remove the glove box, take the 4 screws out that hold the housing, disconnect hoses at firewall, and it drops in your hand. It helps to have a 2nd person when installing the new one. One person under the dash holding the core while the other one attaches the hoses at the firewall.

Mike

 

[Gladi8r]

Well, out of 4 auto parts stores, not one had a coupler bigger than 1/2". And I needed one for a 1" hose. So I threw in the towel and got a new core. Anyone know what year that Ford started making this project an all day event? Mine is a '93. I know that it used to be an easy job until Ford did what Ford does. I am hoping that replacing the core will take under 30 min. In fact, I'm praying that it is... Anyone have any follow up info for me?

I have a 93 XLT and I changed mine in about 15 minutes. As he stated above it is pretty easy

It's an easy job. Remove the glove box, take the 4 screws out that hold the housing, disconnect hoses at firewall, and it drops in your hand. It helps to have a 2nd person when installing the new one. One person under the dash holding the core while the other one attaches the hoses at the firewall.