Heater core replacement

[richardcooper]

HI,
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer sport Trac V6 3.0 4 wheel drive.
I need to know how to replace the heater core.The dealer wants over $1700.00 dollars to replace it.As I am not made of money I have to do this job my self.
If someone would be able to help me that would be great.
Thank You

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Looks to be quite a job according to the Haynes manual.

Check this thread
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=342778

 

[sr139fox]

I done a few other vehicles in my day. All without air conditioning. They were a PIA. Doable, but plan for a long weekend. Dave P.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

The Haynes manual said the heater core in a '78 F-Series with a/c could not be completed by the home mechanic, and it doesn't even give instructions. I happened to talk to someone who had done it and found out the trick. In that case it was 3 screws you'd never find if you didn't know they were there.

The heater core in the Fairmont we had required about what it looks like the STs and Explorers do - removal of the entire dash, etc. I couldn't see how that was even possible, but on that car I could tell exactly where the heater core was from the engine side of the firewall. So I carefully cut a hole in the firewall and removed the heater core that way. I made a cover for the hole and sealed it up. It would have taken 15 minutes to change the heater core the next time. One Ford I changed the heater core in actually had an access cover in the firewall from the factory. Don't know why they didn't do that on everything.