F150 heater core woes

[CP]

2nd failure in 3 years.  Whoever designed this should be shot - $50 part, $800 labor.  I’ll change it myself this time when have a whole day to spare  .  Meanwhile, it's cold.

No more Fords ...

[Woodchuck]

Is it leaking?

[quadrafire]

What year?

[CP]

Yeah, coolant fog, wet carpet, same as last time.  I bypassed it for now.

1997

[Woodchuck]

No fun.

[jackelope]

Same design as pretty much every vehicle on the road. Is it a Ford heater core or aftermarket part?

Make sure there is no electrolysis issues. Probably would have failed sooner if there was, but should be checked either way.

[CP]

Brien Ford changed it last time, I assume they used OEM parts.  Is there something better?  I’m leaning toward this one:

http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/heater-core/spectra-premium-heater-core/386355_197835_4222

[jackelope]

Brien Ford changed it last time, I assume they used OEM parts.  Is there something better?  I’m leaning toward this one:

http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/heater-core/spectra-premium-heater-core/386355_197835_4222

There will be a 2 year unlimited miles warranty on the part if they installed it.

I don't know of anything better, when you said $50 part, I assumed it was aftermarket. MSRP on that part is around $153.00

[Rainier10]

So the original lasted 17 years and the replacement only lasted 3?  I am thinking it was an aftermarket part or there was an issue with the fluid that they put in.  Either way it sucks that it went out that quickly. 

[skeeter 20i]

Here's the youtube video I used when I did my '02.  It's really not bad it's just time consuming I did it in an afternoon with my son.  I would recommend getting the upgraded blend door put in at the same time you are in there the new one has the metal ring right on the bottom end.  If I remember right the hardest part was getting the dash slid back in place.  Mechanics shops all wanted $900+ for the job.  I can see it costing that much if you go by the book and do a total dash removal though but you don't have too.  There is enough room to slide in there when you loosen the dash and pull it back.  At least this is how I did mine.

Hope this helps sorry you're doing it again.

[jackelope]

6.9 hours by the book.

[Fl0und3rz]

At least you got three years.  The worst I had from one was about 3 minutes, after spending hours replacing it in a Jeep Wrangler. 

It seems one of the nipples was attached to the heat exchanger body only with baked on solder flux, no solder.

Hecho in Mexico, no bueno.

[cbond3318]

Bummer dude. I just did the core and blender doors in my wife's 01' Cherokee. I recommend doing it yourself and don't be intimidated. Everything online said I would be 8+ hrs, ended up complete removal and reinstall in just under 3 hrs. If you have someone to help, I recommend ziplock bags to categorize the bolts/screws to corresponding trim and parts removed. Also, it helps to have them hand you the packages while reinstalling. Dash reinstall will be much easier with a helping hand as well. Good luck!

[skeeter 20i]

6.9 hours by the book.

Don't know what to tell you Jack that's what they were quoting me at the several places I called.  Like I said it's not a hard job it's just time consuming.

[EmeraldBullet]

Kinda like replacing it in a chevy S10. Takes about 7 or 8 hours, have to remove the entire dash. At least Ford doesn't use 3 different types of screws like the Chevy does (I assume).

Of coarse there is the shortcut method this guy I used to know from the trailer park showed me. Takes about 10 minutes of labor. You just cut a hole through the back of your glove box, replace the part, patch hole (optional) with duct tape or whatever.

I opted to remove my dash and do it the proper way but nothing wrong with saving 7 hours of time if you don't mind punching the hole through the glove box.

[jackelope]

6.9 hours by the book.

Don't know what to tell you Jack that's what they were quoting me at the several places I called.  Like I said it's not a hard job it's just time consuming.

Oh yeah, I'm with you. I was just sort of backing up what you said. It would be more than $800 just in labor here.

[Fl0und3rz]

By the book . . . .  Er!  The tech service manual said the two or so bolts removed from the jeep wrangler dash would result in the dash effortlessly falling out in your hands. 

Several hours later I am upside down in the passenger footwell catching heater core drippings in the face . . . .

[jackelope]

By the book . . . .  Er!  The tech service manual said the two or so bolts removed from the jeep wrangler dash would result in the dash effortlessly falling out in your hands. 

Several hours later I am upside down in the passenger footwell catching heater core drippings in the face . . . .

4.5 hours labor is what the book calls for. I chose a 2004 Wrangler.
I use AllData Pro for labor times.

[Fl0und3rz]

Just yanking your chain.  This was on an '88 with the factory service manual.  That portion was kaput as was the replacement part.  It kind of sticks in your mind.

[jackelope]

Just yanking your chain.  This was on an '88 with the factory service manual.  That portion was kaput as was the replacement part.  It kind of sticks in your mind.

2.3 hours

[Fl0und3rz]

Newman.

[Happy Gilmore]

Sorry....did dads 97 once. I'd split 8 cords of wood by hand before I'd ever do that again.

[CP]

Finally done.  I lost track at 10 hours of labor - changed the core, blend door, blend door actuator - works great now.  While I was in there I changed the instrument panel lights to LEDs. 

[skeeter 20i]

Nice job 

[Jellymon]

Just changed mine in a 95 F150. Pulled out the glovebox and it was right there. Pulled a couple small parts out of the way, removed the screws and pulled it right out of the glovebox hole. Took under an hour.

[Happy Gilmore]

Just changed mine in a 95 F150. Pulled out the glovebox and it was right there. Pulled a couple small parts out of the way, removed the screws and pulled it right out of the glovebox hole. Took under an hour.

You could be a 15 minute millionaire based on how fast everyone else got it done.

[Jellymon]

Just changed mine in a 95 F150. Pulled out the glovebox and it was right there. Pulled a couple small parts out of the way, removed the screws and pulled it right out of the glovebox hole. Took under an hour.

You could be a 15 minute millionaire based on how fast everyone else got it done.

Just got lucky with an easy model/year. Glovebox popped right off and the rest was like this.......

[skeeter 20i]

Working on a OBS makes a world of difference.

[Fastass350]

Not sure if it's relevant to that new of a pickup or a gas pot rather than diesel, but I used to change them every 6-18 months in my 85 ford diesel, til a parts guy at the Ford dealer sold me a little steel restrictive to put in one heater hose ahead of the core. Haven't put one in for 10 years maybe.

Glad to hear you got it yourself and got some other things done as well, has to feel good