Heater Core - Need Tech Help

cwendel4 · August 11, 2010

I have heard it is possible to remove the heater core without discharging the A/C in a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500. I would like others to confirm this is possible and any tips that others many have to shorten the job time. I ask this since I know this is not a 6 pack job but a case job and my 5 year old will not leave me to work for that length of time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if enough tips can be added maybe this thread can be pinned for future people to use.

Thank you.

Bob D · August 11, 2010

I have heard it is possible to remove the heater core without discharging the A/C...

Everything I've read regarding htr core removal entails removal of HVAC module which will necessitate AC discharge.

If there is a short cut eliminating this step, I'd be very curious to hear about it.

It's a quite involved project. Perhaps the biggest part being removal of instrument cluster, dash console.

A Haynes manual at minimum will help. A factory service manual is optimal.

Good luck and do post back reporting on your ordeal.

cwendel4 · August 11, 2010

The removal is not a problem. Another member on the site said he was able to do it without discharging the A/C, I would like to know if others were able to do the same and if there are other tricks tot he trade that are not listed in the 'proper' manual that would help to make the job go quicker and even easier. I know I will need the release tool for the heater hoses or I will hate myself and my son will learn new combinations of words.

sonjaab · August 11, 2010

BUMMER!

If you have a gmt-800 your gonna have to pull the whole dash

and disconnect the a/c stuff! NO shortcuts on this job.........

Its a $1200 job at the dealer. There are posts and pics around

here somewhere !

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/21ajg-...ilverado-pickup

impalabelt · August 12, 2010

This is probably the only DIY job I have ever regretted undertaking. Even with the Haynes. First off, I absolutely hate coolant more than any other fluid in a modern vehicle. The stuff is nasty, gets everywhere, coats whatever it touches, after that you'll probably be smellin' it for weeks if not months as it doesn't evaporate very readily.

My vehicle did not have A/C so I did not have to contend with discharging. However, others are correct when they say dash removal is a *must*. Be prepared to remove most of the dash just to get at it and you'll probably wind up pulling and flexing it quite a bit, and expect to have some patience while you maneuver the d***ed thing out, plus some coolant all over the passenger floor if it's not covered with something. Again, I only had the inlet and the outlet hoses to contend with, my vehicle had no a/c. But non-the-less, A/C discharge would probably have been the least of my problems knowing what I do now. LOL!!

Expect to spend at least an entire day if not two replacing it if you take things slowly and patiently while trying to avoid as much damage and coolant spillage as possible. Be careful not to lose those dash screws!!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

nhproxr · August 14, 2010

I do everything on my own vehicles, including engine replacements, etc....but this is one job I farmed out on my '03 Tahoe. I just didn't have the time to have the truck down for as long as it would have been.

Dash had to come out and ac needed to be evacuated and then recharged. Well, I got a body man friend of mine to evacuate it before going in to be done (saved me like $150) at a radiator shop (cheaper then dealer and they have good experience pulling these), then he recharged it when job was done. Radiator shop charged like $700 to do the job, much less than I was quoted at the dealer.

cwendel4 · August 18, 2010

Okay, heater core is done.

ANd yes, the A/C does need to be evacuated. There are two bolts for the mounting of the HVAC Box that are behind the accumulator or for us old folks reciever/drier. You can not get to them easily without unbolting and breaking the A/C seal. I was able to get someone I know to evac the system for me.

Now, the job sucked. You do need to take the entire dash and assembly out to get to the HVAC case and be able to move it enough to get the top of the heater core and to pull it out.

One tip- do remove the steering column. It is as easy as they say to remove, just you do not need to remove the wheel or air bag to get it out.

Also, there has been talk about the need to get a special tool to remove the Heater core fittings. I was able to do it with a set of cheap A/C fitting tools I bought years ago when I was doing bodyshop work. They are white plastic nylon and are 3 times longer than any thing I have seen lately. They were made by lisle and I had gotten them at pepboys.

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/product...amp;category=28

These seem to be them but the ones I have seem to have a thinner end ring and longer release shaft.

Now If I can only figure out where those four extra screws go.................