white fog from heater

[dhorodyski]

with the heater control set all the way to the left (off) and the temperature control set all the way to the right(max heat), I get a hot white fog instantly....turning on the blower makes it worse....I recently tried to charge the A/C...with 134 refridgerant...not sure if that is what it takes..how do I check?..anyway, it seemed to leak right out...but it didn't seem to exzibit this problem at the time...thanks to all for the help...

 

[Tbars4]

...My guess is your heater core is leaking and needs to be replaced..

 

[briwayjones]

...My guess is your heater core is leaking and needs to be replaced..

That would be my diagnosis. The fog is anti-freeze that is leaking into the heater core.

 

[marragtop]

Agree on the heater core. It's a very easy and inexpensive repair on the Gen Is.

 

[geoph1986]

It is the heater core, 110%. Coolant is leaking out and being blown as a vapor onto your windshield, and condensing.

 

[dhorodyski]

can this be done without having to touch the A/C unit?...do ya get to this from under the dashboard?

 

[Tbars4]

...This should answer your question...
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/re...&partName=Heater+Core&partId=0900c1528018eeef

 

[dhorodyski]

this seems like a very helpful link...but what it said was all models are different...consult the manufacturer's repair guide....so, do ya go under the hood or under the dashboard?...I'm being told two different things by two different people...both folk seem sure of what they be saying....I'm looking for someone who has done it themselves...not the old "I can't quite remember..."...thanks for the help...

 

[Tbars4]

this seems like a very helpful link...but what it said was all models are different...consult the manufacturer's repair guide....so, do ya go under the hood or under the dashboard?...I'm being told two different things by two different people...both folk seem sure of what they be saying....I'm looking for someone who has done it themselves...not the old "I can't quite remember..."...thanks for the help...

...Where are you getting your other information from???

...The link I gave you is for your year ...The other information you are getting is for a 95 and newer model year...

 

[boggs1227]

very easy to replace the heater core in a first gen x......

go to the passenger side floor board look up and you will see a domed looking piece of plastic .

remove all the screws ( 6 i think )


get a towle and place it at the bottom of the floor well to catch any loose coolant that could find it's way onto your carpet

remove cover

go under the hood and pull off the two heater core hose's ( if they have never been off before ...use a popsicle stick to wedge between the inside on the hose and the metal tube (heater core tubing) and separate the hose from the metal tubing ( wooden stick helps from destroying your heater hose)

carefully pull out the heater core from the inside of the truck

before replaceing the core witha new unit take the plastic dash cover part and spray it down with water to get all the antifreeze smell off of it .

then new core will come with new (weatherstripping) place it on it before peeling back the stuff and see how it place's on the new core then when you see where you need it then peel it back and press the weather sealant on the new core .

after re-instalation of the heater core go back the the hood and reconnect you stuff under there.

done .

30 minutes total time . . . .

 

[geoph1986]

One other thing to mention is that before you put the new core in, have it pressure tested. Those things are mass produced, and sometimes have a leak right out of the box. Modine (for example) used to be really bad for that on the copper/brass setups. It's a pain to do the work, and then have to do it again. Just my $.02.

 

[dhorodyski]

to TBARS4...thanks for your help...I got the conflicting info from 2 different repair shops...both looking in "the book"....other responses say you go from under the dashboard...when the rain stops, I'll look and see how easy it is...one guy said it would take 30 minutes...we shall see...

to BOGGS1227...thanks for the step-by-step...this seems like it will be a breeze....

to GEOPH1986...good idea to test it first...thanks

 

[devi59]

after dealing with a heat problem earlier this year, i definately learned to not listen to "auto" professionals. This website and my mechanic friend got my heat running in no time. It was real quick with the two of us. He was under the hood and removed the two hoses and clamps, i removed the 6 bolts from under the dash, the core dropped down, i put the new one back up there and held it as he put the hoses back on, then i screwed the bolts back in. Took less then 3 minutes flat and my heat was back like a champ.

 

[dhorodyski]

hey...never got back to ya...oh yeah, you be right....very quick repair...by myself it took maybe 15 or 20 minutes....have ya ever changed the thermostat?...exactly what do ya have to take off to get to that third bolt on the flange...can ya get it by just taking off the belt and tension pully?

 

[marragtop]

If you take the belt off, the tensioner will spring out of the way and it will be easier to get to the 3rd (10 mm, I think) bolt. Go easy on these bolts as you don't want to snap one off. That would ruin your day.

 

[dhorodyski]

front wheel bearings

I have a first gen explorer...I've never used 4X4...not sure if it is really equipped with it...how easy might it be to replace the driver side front wheel bearing?...rear spring shackles?...how easy are thoses to replace?...I'm not too experienced on the explorer, but I've done bearings where ya replace the race, pack the bearing and then install the grease seal...is this that simple?...are the shackles as easy to replace as on the old cars...when I say old, I think of my '64 Chevy Impala...I'm ready to learn if ya can teach me...thanks so much for the help...

 

[Tbars4]

...This should help answer your front end questions..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122696&highlight=gen+brake+diary

...Feel free to use the search function here...it can be very useful...Here is a link for some tips on searching around this place...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=281496