Heater Core: Service and Repair

Before attempting to remove a heater core, disconnect the battery ground cable, drain the radiator and remove inlet and outlet hoses from heater assembly in engine compartment.

Fig. 7 Heater core & blower motor assembly (less A/C). 1982---83 Cordoba & Mirada:

Fig. 8 Heater core & blower motor assembly (with A/C). 1982---83 Cordoba, Imperial & Mirada:

Less Air Conditioning
1. Disconnect battery ground cable and drain cooling system.
2. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core.
3. Disconnect vacuum hoses from water valve and manifold tee, then push hoses and grommet through dash panel.
4. Remove four nuts securing heater assembly to dash panel.
5. Move front seat rearward and remove console, if equipped.
6. Remove heater control and disconnect vacuum harness from extension harness, if equipped.
7. Remove glove box, ashtray and housing, righthand lap cooler duct, lower right hand trim panel or bezel, and the righthand cowl trim pad.
8. Disconnect blower motor electrical connections.
9. Disconnect temperature control cable from heater housing, then remove heater distribution housing, Figs. 7 and 8.
10. Support heater housing and remove the heater housing to plenum mounting brace. Pull housing rearward and move toward right side to remove.
11. Remove heater housing top cover, then the heater core retaining screw.
12. Lift heater core from housing.
13. Reverse procedure to install.



With Air Conditioning
1. Disconnect battery ground cable and drain cooling system.
2. Discharge air conditioning refrigerant system.
3. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core.
4. Remove "H" valve and cap refrigerant lines. Remove condensate drain tube.
5. Disconnect vacuum lines from engine compartment and push grommet and vacuum lines through dash panel. On manual air conditioning systems, the vacuum lines are connected to the manifold vacuum tee and water valve. On semi-automatic air conditioning systems, the vacuum lines are connected to the vacuum reservoir and water valve.
6. Remove four nuts attaching evaporator heater assembly to dash panel.
7. Move front seat rearward and remove console, if equipped.
8. Remove air conditioning switch control from dash panel and disconnect vacuum harness from harness extension, if equipped.
9. Remove ashtray and housing and glove box assembly.
10. Disconnect righthand lap cooler tube from lap cooler and remove the righthand trim panel or bezel.
11. Remove righthand cowl trim pad and disconnect blower motor electrical connections.
12. Disconnect vacuum harness from harness extension, then remove heater distribution duct.
13. Disconnect temperature control cable from evaporator heater housing.
14. Remove heater distribution housing and the center distribution duct, if equipped.
15. Remove the hi/lo door actuator.
16. On models with semi-automatic air conditioning system, remove vacuum servo actuator from housing and the in-car air hose from compensator.
17. Support housing and remove brace between housing and plenum. Then, pull housing rearward and move toward right side to remove.
18. Remove housing top cover and the heater core retaining screw.
19. Lift heater core from housing.
20. Reverse procedure to install.