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I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH


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stihlman
User

Nov 6, 2011, 2:10 PM

Post #1 of 14 (9670 views)
post icon I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

98 f150
4.6L triton V8
extended cab
4x4 5spd
218k miles

So I've had this 98 f150 (newer body style, they made both styles in 98) for about 6 months now, it's been a good truck. about 3 months ago I noticed a puddle of coolant in the passenger floor board. So I disconected the heater core and ran the line back through itself in the engine compartment until I could get a chance to fix it. I just drove around with no heat.

Here's where the fun began... It's been really cold lately so I finally decided to tackle the job... If anyone ever decides to try this with the same model truck, lite the truck on fire and just walk away... It will be much easier. And don't even think the Chilton manual is going to do you any good... it gives 9 steps, 5 of which are correct for that truck, the other 4 don't make any sense.

In order to get to the heater core, you must take the ENTIRE dash apart. I don't mean just the plastic cover on top. The cover, ducting, airbag, instrument cluster, all the wiring, glovebox, stereo, etc...

Right now I have it torn apart almost all the way in my driveway, and had to finally take a break after 3 hours.

Instead of taking the ducting all the way out, I took all the bolts out holding it in, than moved it out as much as I could. I'm a large person and I just can't see how someone like me can get to the wiring plugs under the dash to disconnect them.

I got to where I could reach the shroud surrounding the heater core and now I'm completely lost...

there is no bolts, no little tabs, and only have of the heater core is exposed... I am not looking forward to puting all this back together if and when I ever get this heater core out and get the new one in.

Anyone have any advice? tips? tricks?

thanks in advance


(This post was edited by stihlman on Nov 6, 2011, 2:11 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 6, 2011, 2:42 PM

Post #2 of 14 (9614 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

"just light it on fire" Too funny but not - they suk.

Take your time putting everything back together perfectly or you may end up right back in there. Clean heater box up as best you can. Paper towels and window cleaner like Windex. Don't use a cleaner with alcohol for interior as the yuk doesn't just wipe off the first time from glass and any vinyl or plastic and most plastic junk is painted.

I'd pressure test before totally done just in case it leaks - even new.

I know you are not but have fun,

T



stihlman
User

Nov 6, 2011, 2:57 PM

Post #3 of 14 (9610 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

thanks for the reply, I'll keep that in mind when I put it back together, I found a "surprise" in the dash, it looks like it's been there for several years. either rats or really big mice, they made a nice nest throughout the entire dash, so I do have a LOT of cleaning to do.

I'm still stuck trying to get the heater core out. I've got the top part of the shroud unbolted, but something is keeping it from coming off, I found a stud that went throught the firewall and a nut on the end of it. It is right next to the heater lines coming through. I took the nut off hoping that would free it up, but no luck. I think if I can get the shoud cover off I can get the heater core out. But that may be wishfull thinking.


"Hi, Farmers insurance, I would like to add an excessive amount of coverage to my 13 year old truck, thanks"

"Hi, Farmers insurance, its me again, my truck is on fire, I need a claims adjuster here."

Hmmmmm I wonder how that would work lol...


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 6, 2011, 3:23 PM

Post #4 of 14 (9601 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

Arggh! Get as much out as you can and do look for chewed wiring while in there.

It's archived somewhere at this site ideas on how to stop that. Seems one effective way is not to park in the same spot or position all the time. Others used moth balls, those sonic things that drove a pet bird nuts so no go with that. I use real rat poison in trunk, underhood etc. for a stored car of my own and just hope. No children or pets to get at that stuff.

If all else fails get a good barn cat!

T



Hammer Time
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Nov 6, 2011, 3:57 PM

Post #5 of 14 (9591 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

Believe it or not, that is one of the easier ones.

There should be about 4 studs with nuts on the engine compartment side to remove the HVAC housing from the truck.



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Sidom
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Nov 6, 2011, 4:01 PM

Post #6 of 14 (9587 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

Yea there is a great little trick, get your MS660 put a carbide chain on it & cut that sucka outta there......Cool

Bad idea? ok...

On those the you do have to roll the dash to get at the box. On any of the newer vehicles there is a common theme, you have fasteners on both sides, top and at the center (some of those can be the trickiest).
On yours you should have modules & switches on the right that need to get disconnected & you'll probably have to take out the passenger airbag (make sure the battery has been disconnected for a while). You can just drop the column & let the seat support it. When it's ready to roll, just roll it a bit so you can disconnect all the lines off the box and take a look and make sure nothing else is "holding" it before you roll it all the way. I just pull out the R side & set it on the passenger seat (put down something to protect the seat, something thick) & use a bungee cord wrapped around the head rest to hold it.
You want to take the box out. Don't try to do this in the truck, you'll regret it. Discharge the a/c & remove the lines, I believe there are 5 studs under the hood that mounts the box, one may be hiding by the accumulator, there should be 3 inside. Take all them off & you'll have to "wiggle" the box to get it out. Then just take off the million bolts holding the top on & CAREFULLY remove the top taking note of the blend doors & what position they are in. This is a great time to inspect the evaparator.

This is important. Before you install the new heater core make SURE the heater hoses slide on to the new core easily. Some aftermarket cores didn't quite get the dimensions right and the hoses don't fit!!!!! (don't ask me how I know this Mad) If that is the case I would strongly suggest getting a different core......Dealer ones are good......1 800 Radiator has real nice ones with good fits...

Also check the cooling system for electrolysis. Anything over .4v and you will be doing this all over again very soon

I'm sure I've probably forgot something........I always do.......you might wanna check back in a bit........Tongue


(This post was edited by Sidom on Nov 6, 2011, 4:06 PM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 6, 2011, 4:21 PM

Post #7 of 14 (9578 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

Another tip. When you have the case apart replace the heater blend air door. Done quite a few HVAC cases because the heater blend door socket comes apart where the actuator slides in. Dorman has an updated door that eliminates that problem. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the core with a motorcraft brand also, as Sid mentioned. You don't want to have to go back in again for a cheaply made core that leaks.

Dorman 902207






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(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 6, 2011, 4:23 PM)


stihlman
User

Nov 6, 2011, 5:31 PM

Post #8 of 14 (9564 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

HA, I like that, "MS660 with a carbide chain" Now your talkin my language... I work at a sawshop lol.

Well... I finally found that one hidden screw I was searching for... I got the top cover off, checked the blend door... It looked like someone had already replaced the blend door and damaged the heater core while doing it, and that's what caused the leak. The blend door has the new sleave that goes around the bottom.

The rodent problem is more than likely from the previous owner, this was a fleet truck so it was parked in a shop with leftover lunch on a regular basis. I check for any damage, it looks like they just brought stuff in to make nests. I don't see any chewed up plastic or wiring anywhere. I searched through everything I could get to.

I found a video on youtube from realfixesrealfast the only differences in my truck and the one in the video is mine is a manual and no AC. He made it look easy. lol

So far I have 7 hours into this job and I still have to put everything back together. AHHH I do not like this.. lol

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!


re-tired
Veteran / Moderator
re-tired profile image

Nov 6, 2011, 5:33 PM

Post #9 of 14 (9560 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

Perhaps we should forward this post to the guy who wants to become a mechanic. Pirate


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Nov 6, 2011, 5:57 PM

Post #10 of 14 (9556 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

I'll go on record here stating.........I hate dash work!!!!......
The 1st ones really do suck but you would be surprise at how much you can knock your time down after you get a few of them under your belt.

Just make sure you check the hose fit on the new heater core before you install it. It's no fun having everything back together only to find out the hoses don't fit.....

I dunno RT.......you do that & in about 10 or 15 years there might not be any techs anymore...........lmao


(This post was edited by Sidom on Nov 6, 2011, 5:58 PM)


Discretesignals
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Nov 6, 2011, 6:13 PM

Post #11 of 14 (9552 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

Here's one we had in the shop a while back on an Olds. GM put some foam around the wiring that turned to sticky dust when touched. I had the Sh!t in my hair and smeared all down my arms and pants. The really funny part was when the customer came in, when it was torn apart, to get something out of the car. His eyes got really big and he looked at me and said, "Better you than me."









Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 6, 2011, 6:18 PM)


re-tired
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Nov 6, 2011, 6:35 PM

Post #12 of 14 (9544 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

He had just better be glad it wasn't a late model chrysler mini van . You have to take the freakin side view mirriors off and the console out or at least back a foot or two.


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


stihlman
User

Nov 6, 2011, 6:51 PM

Post #13 of 14 (9541 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

wow, that looked about like my truck earlier today, I took more out than I needed to so I could check for more rodent damage...

UPDATE: I got a good portion of the dash back together, I stopped because it's just too cold and dark, I can only shine a flashlight in so many areas. I want to make sure I can see everything to make sure I don't miss anything. Also, I'm replacing all the lights in the instrument panel and both cigarete lighters... I had a few lights out but i'm gonna replace them all to be thorough... I figured this would be a good time to see why my trip odometer isn't working also, I push the button and it tries to change the numbers but doesn't.

I'm just glad it's not a mercedes. I've had 2, and they are controlled almost entirely by vaccuum... NEVER AGAIN

One problem I'm having is I keep needing to take things back out and take screws out that I put in too soon. One screw is sometimes holding several layers of plastic on at once and I jump the gun puting the screw in too soon.

If this doesn't work than I am just going to wear a coat when I drive it and sell it next summer LOL

Thanks again everyone for your help, tips, and responses.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Nov 6, 2011, 7:01 PM

Post #14 of 14 (9530 views)
Re: I now hate my truck, 98 f150 heater core replacement AHHHHH Sign In

It'll work. You gotta have faith. If you get it all together and don't have any screws left, you did a perfect job. If you have 1 or 2 left that is ok too....LOL





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.






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