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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: 92EcoDiesel Jetta on October 01, 2012, 10:25:48 am

Title: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: 92EcoDiesel Jetta on October 01, 2012, 10:25:48 am
Just received a Meyle heater core from Autohausaz, man it's tiny! My 81 caddy has no rust partly due to it's from NV shipped to CT 14 years ago (I have receipt for $700 fm shipper) with a pinhole in the heater core and was bypassed never driven in the winter.

Does the dash have to come out to r&r the heater core? Someone told me it could slide out to the left if the brake and clutch pedals are fully depressed. If u know of a diy with pics pls post links.
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: CRSMP5 on October 01, 2012, 11:52:19 am
ac or not???

both-------------
pull knee bar behind plastic dash trim.. gllove box so on..
drain coolent.. no need for you

no ac-----------------------
remove plastic cover on drivers side of heater box by pedals..
disconnect coolent hoses
depress pedals.. slide core out..

ac----------------
tons more work... i pull dash..
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: theman53 on October 01, 2012, 02:42:35 pm
Welcome to all kinds of hell. I still would love to kick the engineer in the sack over that one. I have only replaced a few each one made me cuss a bit.

Follow his ^ advice, especially on anything MK1
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: vwroadkill on October 01, 2012, 02:51:28 pm
dont forget to kick the engineer in the OLE COD SACK...^^^  dam I hate that job.
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: 92EcoDiesel Jetta on October 01, 2012, 03:33:21 pm
ac or not???

both-------------
pull knee bar behind plastic dash trim.. gllove box so on..
drain coolent.. no need for you

no ac-----------------------
remove plastic cover on drivers side of heater box by pedals..
disconnect coolent hoses
depress pedals.. slide core out..

ac----------------
tons more work... i pull dash..

No ac luckily.

kneebar - is that the metal sheet behind those plastic trim pieces?

How much time should I allow start to finish?
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: theman53 on October 01, 2012, 06:28:09 pm
I would say at least 4 hours. Some say that they can do it in 30 minutes, but I think they are contortionist midgets that are full time mechanics...Or bold face liars
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: ORCoaster on October 01, 2012, 08:05:10 pm
Plan for the long time and if you get it done early sit back and enjoy the warmth.  Winter cometh and the summer goeth away.
Title: Re: r&r heater core 81 caddy tricks?
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on October 02, 2012, 10:27:39 am
in a mk2, wether its a/c or not, it pretty much requires dash removal..

people say you can replace the heater core in a mk2 without removing the dash, but the damn core comes out the TOP of the heater box..

ive always ended up pulling most/all of the dash to get at the core..

first time i replaced a heater core, it took me most of a day to do it.. solid 5 hours of work in between smoke/beer/food breaks..

never done a mk1 heater tho, so i cant speak for those..