Mk1 Heater Core Replacement

[homerj1]

The sweet smell of antifreeze mist permeates the interior of mk1 Jetta   

So, it is time to change the heater core. I've searched and found a few methods of removing the core.

Bottom line, what is the easiest way. I don't have ac & my I'm not as flexible as I used to be.

thanks

[RabbitJockey]

i have been lucky and never had to replace one in the 3 mk1s i drove for 10 years.

[theman53]

I have never replaced a non ac heater core, but I have done the ac heater cores in MK1. The ac heater cores there is NO easy way. I am very flexible, but even a contortionist midget would have trouble. The only way I think I would try it again is to remove the entire dash. Once the box is out it is fairly easy.

On second thought, if I had to do it again I would hire someone.

[RabbitJockey]

jetta dashes are pretty easy to remove, especially non ac, when i rewired my coupe i was surprised how easy and quick it went, its a bit of a mess but if u keep organized with the screws and all that its not too awful

[theman53]

I have heard non ac mki are cake to replace the heater cores. Also, whenever I reply and say mk? Whatever generation I never think of any cars but the rabbit or jetta. I never think of the vanagon scirocco dasher. So my experience is with the rabbit and jetta. Fwiw

[CRSMP5]

l under dash tray... it slides out by the throttle pedal... which tends to be in the way...

[homerj1]

l under dash tray... it slides out by the throttle pedal... which tends to be in the way...

Tell me more!

Btw congrats on the tv singing performance! 

[CRSMP5]

pull under tray dash.... plastic cover by throttle on heater box comes off.. heater core slides out towards pedals...

i remove box screws drop it down loose.. lide it out to miss pedals..

no its not fun.. but pulling the dash.. honestly.. more work then needed.. pull your drivers seat to lay in foot area better...


p.s. you know that thread is a joke right?? i refuse to be on tv till i goto retire...

[the caveman]

Yup as i remember the Mk 1 rabbit and jetta come out near driver pedal, foxes come out on the passenger's side. No need to remove dash. A bit of a pain, but not too bad

[theman53]

I had a post about it several years ago with my gti. I remember saying in that post I would like to kick that German engineer square in the sack for this design. I hated it. I did pull the seats and bottom part of dash iirc. It still sucked. The fan never did work correctly after I was done.

[fatmobile]

I have never replaced a non ac heater core, but I have done the ac heater cores in MK1. The ac heater cores there is NO easy way. I am very flexible, but even a contortionist midget would have trouble. The only way I think I would try it again is to remove the entire dash. Once the box is out it is fairly easy.

On second thought, if I had to do it again I would hire someone.

 Off topic but the AC can be done easier than non-AC,.. if you cut a hole in the side of the box and slide the core out. Then install cover plate.
 Plenty of room. Sideways picture, ha.
 

Non-AC is a pain because of the peddle cluster, room restriction.

[mystery3]

I have never replaced a non ac heater core, but I have done the ac heater cores in MK1. The ac heater cores there is NO easy way. I am very flexible, but even a contortionist midget would have trouble. The only way I think I would try it again is to remove the entire dash. Once the box is out it is fairly easy.

On second thought, if I had to do it again I would hire someone.

If you remove the screws on the side of the dash at the steering column and possibly a few more, lay in the passenger footwell, use your knee or one hand to lift the dash a couple inches you can squeeze the whole box out into the passenger footwell. It's highly tedious and somewhat painful but less work than pulling the whole dash indeed. I'd recommend paying someone as well if in a position to do so. I too have never done a non-a/c unit but I've done two on cars equipped with a/c.

[homerj1]

Thanks for all the help, but according to the below, there are only 3 awards given out..   ( I guess real life isn't like kindergarten??)

Thread: Mk1 Heater Core Replacement
Thread Statistics:
Site:    vwdiesel.net - latest threads
Forum:    General
Total authors:    8 authors
Total thread posts:    11 posts
Analysis:    The sentiment of the discussion is negative. The discussion is quite engaging and quite controversial. The user theman53, was very engaged. It got traction. We find the discussion interesting and original.
Awards:    The following users won the first, second and third place as most active and engaging users:
First Place   1st Place:   theman53
Second Place   2nd Place:   RabbitJockey
Third Place   3rd Place:   8v-of-fury

This is from here........http://omgili.com/thread/jHIAmI4hxg8flTySTKqPK9zlPmcxpueao7X0hMlucBXvTTLLh6T3l0rD8bVnJ7.2duyVtBvX.uhoh9Onj4kHaA--/

[RabbitJockey]

that is so weird

[homerj1]

that is so weird

I thought the same?

I found these instructions and was hoping that they might work?

http://www.driversfound.com/scirocco/techtips/body/heatercore/

But based on other stuff that I've read, and everyone's  responses, it is going to be a long Saturday heater core  replacing session...

I knew I should I have bought a new Kia .....    lol