difficult to change a heater core?

[User Name missing]

How difficult is it to replace a heater core on a ’96 2.3 ranger? Is it as simple as pulling the dash, few bolts then the core comes out? I’m assuming I also have to drain the cooling system?

 

[shane96ranger]

Here are some instructions from the tech library:

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2007/1998_heater_core_replacement.htm

 

[User Name missing]

so the most time consuming/painful part is just gettn the dash apart....?

 

[User Name missing]

would a bad thermostat lead to poor heat? This past spring I flushed the system and replaced pipes/hoses/therm/etc, however I may not have flushed it good enough. I'm guessing the core is clogged. This morning, bout 15deg outside, I let it sit running for roughly 10 min and with a 20 min highway drive to work, the hot air in my mother-in-laws head was warmer than what the truck was spitting out. Even on warmer days its still cold. The the temp gauge rarely registers ar normal operator temperature.

 

[budro]

From what you are talking about would probably be a bad thermostat. No matter what I would try a $10 thermostat before tearing the dash apart. Usually if a heater core is clogged it is either clogged with dirt which means you have no air flow from vents on heat setting or clogged internally which you could check the return hose under the hood to see if it is as warm as going in.

 

[User Name missing]

well the truck may have to wait. The car needs a new head gasket, plugs, wires and possible lifters. but its the more important choice cause thats our "family" backup if something happens to the van. when it rains, it ****n pours..........

 

[shane96ranger]

Mine was pretty bad last year at heating up, even after a new t-stat. It's better this year, and all I did different was I installed a new fan clutch this summer. My truck has the heavy duty cooling package (big radiator), so it still takes a little longer,

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Feel the coolant hoses leading to the heater core, you might have a bad heater valve.