Ever change a heater core in an MK1???

[theman53]

I just did.  and I would like to kick whatever german designed that deal squarely and repeatedly in the sack. I don't know exactly what I would have done differently right now as I am still thinking of inflicting tragic sack abuse to some german, but couldn't something have been done? This was an all day job for me, standing on my head type deal with my back comfortably braced on the ridge that comes from the rocker at the bottom of the door. I took the dash out up to the knee board and then weaseled the unit out of the passenger side. Then I had to split it. Just about all the plastic in this thing is cracked now and what was taking so long was fixing and patching on my way to replacing the core. This was my first one and probably the last...I would probably rather do a 20 year old untouched water pump with all the rusty bolts than do this again.     KICKER    please let me know what the "easy" way is to do these as I probably will need to do it again since my fan started the death squeel 3 minutes after fixing the core  :lol:  So now I have probably have to do it again, unless I can get to it from the raintray.

[AudiVWguy]

Does your car have air conditioning? If not, the three bolts that hold the heater fan in place also hold up the entire heater core housing inside. Loosen the hoses, then drop the housing down and slide the core out the drivers side. Put it back together. 37 minutes with my son helping.

[autoholic]

Sounds like fun, i have not had the pleasure, although i have changed other heater cores and it seems they are always a ***, seems that they're just not meant to be replaced.
Oh yea, the old rocker ridge, that makes it even more fun.

[the caveman]

foxes are fun also.

[Quantum TD]

On AC cars, there's no easy way. I end up rebuilding the whole box: new foam padding on the baffles, new foam on the top, fresh tar on the seal. Yeah, it's a blast. Removal of the box takes about 30 min, rebuilding the box takes about 4 hours, after you pressure test the evaporator and the heater core.

On the up side, at least you won't have to get brain damage from inhaling vaporized antifreeze!

[Quantum TD]

PS: I wouldn't worry about the squeal until the motor completely siezes. After rubuilding some, if you don't set the motor in there perfectly, it will rub against the plastic ring at the end of the motor housing. It will annoy the *** out of you at low speeds, but it should go away at higher speeds.

Good luck!

[theman53]

well the ac question...it doesn't have ac but it used to. THe compressor was removed in the engine compartment but nothing else had been touched. Now that I have had some sleep it should be easier next time. I don't think it will take all day, but no way will it come out in 37 minutes or out of the drivers side. I just hope the fan lasts all winter. I don't want to do it again.
I hooked everything up correctly...except the ac...but it won't switch from defrost, vent, heat, etc. the vacuum thing just isn't pulling the doors. I think unless it fixes itself that is the way it is going to stay.

[BlackTieTD]

if you make it so that the dash is easily removable, or that you can shift it forward, its very simple. its really just the dash/kneebar that makes it a pain. i think its 4 bolts from the raintray, the two coolant hoses, and then just the vent flap cables. then the clips to split the case halves. i wont tell you how long it took in my rabbit with everything 'bare-bonesed' but it was less than 37 minutes  :mrgreen:

ps - i block off the vents that allow unheated air to pass into the cabin during winter months. helps cabin warm-up significantly. there are gaps in the case sometimes too, especially once the foam sealing junk breaks down. doesnt hurt to seal those gaps on the cold-side either.

pss - as for the fan, you can get that out the raintray. it only comes out in one orientation that i've found.

[theman53]

I'd still like to kick the german dude in the satchel... I guess it didn't take me too long. I just had to keep repairing every piece of plastic as I took it off so I could put it back together. I found out today that my selector doestn't work at all. It just blows everywhere as the fan squeels away.

[blkboostedtruck]

just gotta be smarter then the heater core! thats what i tell my self when i'm doing stuff! i did 2 this summer one i converted to non A/C with a jetta dash in my caddy! turned out ok all my fan speeds work even with the key off!  :roll:  i don't know how i managed that one?? :shock: !!
Duane

[maxfax]

I'll change the heater core in an A/C MK1 or MKII any day of the week versus about any Ford product made in the last 20 years.... 9 hours on the F-150 and nothing needed glued back together on that one... :x

[fatmobile]

There is a better way:
http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6236&start=45

Second pic down.
 Cut a hole in the side of the box and pull it out,.. then put a cover over it after it's back in.
 Don't have to pull the AC lines that way.

[rabbitman]

Yeah I'm thinkin' of ditchin' the whole stupid heater system and putting in one of those aux heaters. Last winter and the winter before I took it out every couple months 'cause it wouldn't warm the car up, no hot air anywere. I added an extra heater and it is so hot now.
One time when I took the heater box out I didn't even undo the coolant hoses, it was sorta hard on 'em though. Non AC.