Changing Heater Core in 1999 Dodge Dakota

[@bigwaywardbill]

Thanks, Very helpful, people don't often show the mistakes we make working on this stuff . I appreciate it .

[@maryleebogovic2605]

My husband just watched your video, unfortunately he's half way through taking it a part. Have a 1993 dodge dakota and your video was very helpful and honest. He's thinking he should have bypassed the heater code and started looking for a new truck. Thanks again.

[@solarflare4259]

I completely restored my '99 5.2L Dakota working all the summer on it. Installed a new suspension, restored its axles, cleaned and sound proofed the cabin , new exhaust ,in short, I made the truck look like new, except the engine and the body paint which were in great shape; Just noticed coolant on the passenger carpet while driving the truck to work this morning ... After watching this video I am psychologically prepared to take the dash apart. lesson learned: before restoring a car, before doing anything else, first replace the heater core ...The way they are installed is just stupid since they are serviceable parts and could be made way easily accessible. I have an '86 Bronco and a '93 Jeep Wrangler waiting in line ..:) Thanks for posting this video!

[@nathanpedigo4292]

Thank you bud for posting this, you don't know how much you have helped me!

[@michaelquillen213]

Paid $500 for my 1999 Dodge Dakota, 2 1/2 years it still runs good, last time it was ac compressor, smoke from vents today, it's the heater core ..thanks your video is a lifesaver

[@razrhd1]

Me and my Dodge Dakota 1998 SLT has been a great mid size truck.300,000 miles an no major problems..I now need to replace the heater core TY for the video I am now backing out of doing it myself on this truck it is going to a mech.shop.Replaced several on a Chevy over the years and was not near as much trouble to do.Dodge engineer over thought the placement for such a small heater core.Good luck to the DIY GUYS

[@kaylapool9872]

Ouch tough learning experience. You don't have to pull dash all the way out though... you loosen it and can tie it back enough to get the box out. All mounting hardware mounts on the firewall and it will come out. I did a great many of these in dodge trucks....good luck on the next one though.. and thanks for video

[@whoknew..]

Can you explain further for an idiot like me

[@bradcross2552]

good lord!! ive been asked to do this for my brothers sons truck he just bought! im a mechanic so the work isn't the issue.... but you succeeded in freaking me out with the cutting and interior views! Aprec the vid!!

[@kentfellers]

Great video. I have the same truck with very little heat. I've backflushed, changed the water pump, thermostat, and radiator. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this but looks like I might be due for this uphill battle. After watching your video...I'll take mine to a mechanic. Thanks for letting me know just how much of a pain in the ass this is. Very helpful.

[@NYSHEDGUY]

Great video got me through..I took the whole box out. On the bottom, There are two pegs the core sits on that had to be removed for my purchased new core.Heated with a torch real fast and snapped,twisted off with pliers..I found It amazing what I could accomplish.This is not a job for just anyone..Don't cut the box.Five total 14mm nuts to take off on the firewall,two are connected to the ac canister holder.I eliminated the whole ac unit which didn't work anyways. one behind the oil fill stick which was the one I could not find,but now you will :)..and one by the core in and out lets..Lastly..I put the whole hvac unit on bench and did the work including jb welding cracks and such, installing the new core and ditching the ac..More gotta take off the washer reservoir air cleaner,whole thing.Good luck and best wishes..I could do the project again in 6 hours with a little help

[@BYDonBermudaGrassCentral]

Thanks 🙏🏾Marcus, I’ll spend the 500 👍🏾

[@michaelhoffman6417]

Thank you so much for this. I know exactly what video you're talking about with the Durango. I'm doing this job on my Durango right now and You have no idea how much this helped!

[@mds2465]

Another word of advice, whenever you replace the heater core you should also replace the blend door at the same time. The reason being is that they are known to fail and if it happens later than you have to take everything apart again to get to it. So better to eliminate the possibility of that ever happening like you did on your truck.

[@1Buckluck]

It's summer time I just gonna bypass the heater core till winter! What a freaking job!!!!

[@marktrombley4020]

you are a brave soul hope it is going back better then it came apart .

[@kinetiksilence]

Thanks so much for uploading this. I have seen the same video you mentioned about the Durango and you are right. They dont really explain the process of actually accessing the heater core. I'm currently at the exact same point with my 2000 Dakota as you are in this video, only I didn't cut a hole in the plastic housing lol. Oh also, you shouldn't have to remove the steering wheel to remove the dash. On the steering column down by the foot pedals their are a few bolts you can remove and it will drop the entire steering column.

[@fbyrd99]

Really good job, and good video, Marcus. My 2003 Dodge Durango now has leaky heater core, and your video makes me feel better about doing the job. Your video still seems to be the most useful one out there. I would like to cut mine open to fix, but will take your advice, and do it right. Thanks!

[@Katmandu2]

Dude, Thank you for being HONEST and showing people what a very serious PITA replacing a heater core REALLY is ! How long did this job take you start to finish ? Many years ago, I did this exact job on a 1977 Monte Carlo. It took me over (8) hours and was the biggest PITA, frustrating job I'd ever done on a vehicle. I vowed right then and there that I would NEVER do a job like that again for as long as I lived! LOL! I can't stand the YT videos where folks make jobs look SO freakin EASY. For instance, changing out the Theromostat on a 3.9 Dakota engine. Sounds pretty straight forward and easy chessy right ? Well, without removing the ALT, AC, WP and the large bracket first, it IS easy! You have all the access you need. Well, if you "try" and do the job w/o removing all the above, let me tell you it's a MAJOR PITA getting the (2) bolts for the T-Stat housing back in place! There simply is NOT any room for your hands/fingers to work in. It took me nearly an hour of frustrating work fighting (and dropping multiple times) the bolts. Aligning and trying to get the bolts started was freaking INSANE! There's a dude that made a video of this job and he made it look SO EASY. Only thing was he did NOT show in his video that PITA process I described above! So let you readers beware, of the hidden PITA little things on these jobs that WILL drive you INSANE ! Once again man, THANK YOU for being HONEST in your video! You (and hopefully I as well), will save someone their SANITY! LOL! Have a great day!

[@Katmandu2]

***** I was at a shop yesterday getting a flush/fill on my Dakota. I asked what they would charge to replace a heater core in a Dakota. They said it would take AT LEAST (8) hours and probably more. They said their labor rate was only $70 hour (one of the LOWEST in the area BTW). So a minimum of $70hr x 8 hrs = $560 in LABOR COSTS alone !

[@superninjajuggalo]

I am so dreading this upcoming project ,unfortunately I cant pay someone else to do this job ,I AM the one getting paid to do it ,after seeing what I'm going to have to go through to get this done I'm thinking I should have charged more ,thanks to your video it should go a little smoother.

[@michaelschreffler9424]

WOW! Thanks so much for sharing your successes and failures! I was on the fence about doing what you have done, now I know to let someone else do it. I probably would be replacing the windshield knowing my patient level...LOL THX!

[@Dragonsfiresbreath]

Hello i have a 2000 dodge dakota it has the same style h vac system as yours is there any way to replace the blower motor with out taking off the dash board? My blower motor is making a bad vibration and buzzing noise.

[@tylerlag4833]

Had a quick question what’s the name and where did you order that blend door

[@BrookeWillis]

This was extremely helpful---thank you! I'm having this problem with my '99 Dakota also.

[@rodneywhitfield5754]

Thanks for the vid!! I have the RT after seeing this I may not have the RT very much longer lol ... it seriously looks like a pain, I need a new a/c clutch and heater core.... man.... not impossible but does look like a pain

[@charlesmagrum934]

where did you find a replacement blend door i broke mine while trying to replace the core

[@TheDunestrider]

I was having trouble getting heat out of the heater... I just backflushed the heater core and cleaned a bunch of gunk out. The heater then worked fine.

[@TheJesusno2]

Thanks for sharing might be doing a core job on a 98 and it does not look like a ton of fun.

[@patcushion3350]

When I put mine back together I had NO heat , still don't . Could I open the door ,block it open and have heat all the time ?

[@dannybarker8486]

I put a heater core in 1999 dodge dakota. Now blower motor not working. Check motor. It is good. Instrument lights come on but go off when u turn headlights on. Maybe I have plugs on gauge s plug in wrong. Can you please help me. Thank you!!!!!

[@BeastisProductions]

We removed alot of stuff. My question is why didnt you move the steering wheel down? Cuz there are like 6 bolts that hold it into place n me n my dad are having trouble getting off 4 of them

[@johnwilburn]

Well this is just great... I have a 2004 that has started smelling of antifreeze when the heater is turned on. It really sucks to see that Dodge set a heater core on a table and then built an entire friggin truck around it. Looks like my work is cut out for me.

[@stevenpeuraservantofjesus8229]

What size heater core did you purchase? 5/8 or 2 inch?

[@amaniandrus260]

your video has helped me a lot i have the same 99 sport with the same problem

[@fukmegirl69]

What did you get your heater core and what would the part number be I bought one for my truck but I feel Like it might not fit

[@Tinson83]

I do most of my own work on my 2000 dodge Dakota 3.9v6 mag..but I knew it would be kinda hard to change the heater core but didn't know it would be this bad. So ima just take mine to a shop! But thanks for the video and I've seen the video you were talking about which they made it in fast time without explaining..yours was short and had enough information!

[@Itzmrfizz_backup]

Thanks for the video. I got a 98 sport and need to replace the heater core. Thanks helped allot

[@chaosmob336]

So why does it blow smoke? mine does. :/

[@joshuajoyner7726]

Good job. Im taking mine in. Screw this! Thanks man

[@MegaKencam]

Man, I really don't want to change mine out... I'm thinking about just blocking it off and being cold this winter OR just buy a different truck.

[@razrhd1]

add an electric 12volt heater with cord to plug into power outlet and mount on center floor board Crank truck turn on little heater and turn fan to defrost You will be amazed of the good cheap ez way out ,Don't drive and freeze Kent

[@rodolphedrolet6994]

Ty I will just tuff it out when I drive the old truck now that is too much work for the little I drive it ,,,,,,thank you once again

[@TheOldwize13]

This has been the only video of the same model as mine. I have something rattling around down inside, and suspect it to be some of the fins that are missing from a dash louver. I get some heat and some cool, but I can't do w/o the heat. This is Canada. Can't do w/o heat. Where was the heater motor located on yours?

[@gerowen]

I "think" the blower is on the right (passenger) side of this.

[@nathanabbott5432]

I ran into a problem with the heater core itself being a new version. It doesn't have the tubes coming up out of it and going thru the firewall. What was that part called that would possibly connect to the heater hoses and the heater core thru the firewall. And here on earth is somebody who sells them and knows what I'm talking about

[@nathanabbott5432]

Alright, thanks. I've called all the parts stores and they have no idea. Just left Napa with some plastic tubing, silicon, and apoxy. Have at it

[@typalin8601]

What size what your heater core? Was it 5/8s or 2 inches?

[@gerowen]

I don't even remember and I don't have the truck any more to go measure it for you. I drove the thing for ages and it eventually started losing compression so I replaced it.

[@gpcdist]

Can the core be cut out firewall then liquid weld to install

[@888guerra]

no no it well be way more harder that way. there well be no space to cut you well have to take your engine out and way more ..... it not that hard to do the dash has four screws on top and the take A pillers off come off by removing grave handles , then remove steering column or just drop it down then there well be two more screws on the bottom center of dash then remove glove box there well be one more screw and then there well be more screws on the sides of the dash , remove dash but not hvac housing then the way you take the hvac box or housing off is by thaking the screws from the out side fire wall heater hoses ac lines the take the housing and unscrew it apart and take out the heat core ,,,

[@ps3bapekill1]

+888guerra would this work on a 2003 model?

[@Kozzzas]

Thank you so much for the video, it came in great use. I have a question & I'm stuck at a point for the last week. I can not figure it out.. Is there any way I can email you my question.? Thanks ahead of time for any info .

[@ronbonick4265]

wow and we as a nation that builds cars has gotten smarter over the years. These kind of designs should be shown as tv commercials.. I think some genius should come up with an aftermarket heater that bypasses the factory. have a heater core and fan unit all 1 piece mounted under the hood and ducked in.. Thanks for the video

[@CarlosLopez-tt5py]

Great video I need to do the same with my truck very helpful thxs

[@kevinarleenbreshears4153]

I have steam coming out my heater vent do u know what to do maybe flush?

[@eriklee6239]

If you have steam coming out, good chance you have a leak in your heater core. A flush will not help that. 😕

[@samueladams7798]

Some times as I work on vehicles, I come to the realization that manufacturers purposely make these vehicles so they are so difficult to work on, that you are nearly forced to buy a brand new one. The only exception is old vehicles prior to about 1980, and heavy duty over the road older model trucks. They are actually designed to be easily, and completely rebuilt. Newer stuff is just disposeable junk, plain and simple.

[@diezerstorer4273]

Ever just want to punch an automotive engineer?

[@packrat76]

A lot of it is ease of assembly and less parts to cut costs. They could have made a section of dash around the heater core that's removable to make it all more serviceable but why bother? I like my Dakota but it has some really cheap design issues. The tailgate pins is a prime example. It was fun grinding new ones and welding them in after I cut and ground out the old rusty ones.🤦‍♂️. Other trucks you unbolt a bracket and replace them.

[@mds2465]

Yeah that Durango was at cooper lake automotive. The reason they did it so fast is because it takes hours to get that dashboard out, it's a royal pain.

[@benbrewer5853]

seems like it'd be easier to cut a hole somewhere under the hood and get that heater core out

[@garyfarris4177]

You do not have to remove the dash to get the heater box out of a Dakota. If you remove the lower trim on dash and remove glove box and disconnect vacuum lines and blend door cable, and fasteners on the firewall (under the hood) you can slide it out under the dash.

[@tylersmith4507]

Boy oh boy; I hope your right.... I've got to replace mine in the next couple weeks. It's leaking so bad it builds a film on the interior of the window! Thanks for the video Marcus Adams!

[@garyfarris4177]

Tyler Smith Well I should qualify my remark by letting you know we have a '92 Dakota, a '95, and a '96 and two of these are 4x4, and one is 2wd. But from what I see of Marcus's video his 99' underdash looks identical. It is a tight squeeze and you gotta angle it right. Slide it out the passenger side door also. If you have 4x4 pull transfercase range selector back to 4 low to give you enough room. Yeah I had never done a heater core on a Dakota so like you I looked on line and saw all the "you gotta take the cab off with a backhoe and you are gonna need four Navy Seals to help you" advice but then I after I started the job I saw it would be possible to slide it out without taking out the whole dash, steering wheel, and seat. Anyways, don't be scared it ain't that hard. Merry Christmas!

[@barryclark2947]

+Gary Farris yer fulla shit dude you can't get to the screws next to the firewall.. the whole assembly has to be unbolted and pulled away from the firewall.

[@tulsawillie4158]

Thanks Marcus

[@buddywayne1]

This looks like an absolute nightmare.

[@Mykaboy1245]

I think I'd rather weather the cold...Great video by the way, thank you lol

[@BeastisProductions]

Dude i have the same car as yours. Same yr. stickshift. Trying to change heater core. Me n my dad had problem letting down the whole steering wheel

[@j.onofre6613]

How much they charge on a shop?

[@gerowen]

Not 100% certain, I would say hourly rates vary a lot by exactly where you live, but the guy I asked to do mine quoted me roughly $500.

[@BETORAMIREZ664]

Dude, you have no idea how much I appreciate all that info. I have a 2000 dodge dakota 2.5L and seems like I have to replace the heater core too and I haven't done it because I couldn't find much info about how to remove and install it so, this is what I've been looking for for about 2 years, now I have to think about doing it myself or have somebody do it for me. Now there are 2 sizes 5/8" and 2", Does anybody knows which is the right one for my application?

[@510Redneck]

If you havent blown it out in reverse already, I would try that prior to replacement. Sometimes it takes a good bit of pressure before blockages let loose but as i said make sure you do it in reverse from the typical flow or else it will just make it worse. I have done many of them and it worked just fine but have had a few that needed replaced aswell. Never know until ya try tho... Peace

[@cincydiskjockey]

Thanks for the info man it looks like a pain to do I think I'd rather pay someone to do it for me. I do have one question how did u know when ur heater core was going out cause the problem I'm having I takes a while to get warm and it don't blow hot air

[@rotironwerks]

Chuck, generally a heater core goes bad when it develops a leak. It will immediately fog the inside of the windshield on a cool day. You will taste coolant in the cab air.

[@bgmagma10R]

Man..... Thanks for the video. I have to try and tackle that job this weekend.. Not looking forward to it.

[@j.onofre6613]

thank you so much... probably around the same in Texas...

[@benbrewer5853]

my heater core is going to stay the same way I'm not going to go through all that trouble I'll try to figure out putting some kind of a heater core maybe in top the dash somewhere to hooking my lines up that's too much trouble for a heater core maybe I can get some kind of heater core stop leak or something

[@motorrin2926]

im changing the ac blower motor an it called for the dash to be pulled im excited about it..

[@WHATcuffy]

unshould have just done a flush i have the same truck and problem and couldnt find shit to help online so befor i got in that mess i did a core flush and it made a world of difference

[@nathanford6687]

this helped me out so much

[@Suncatcher247]

It is much easier to work on these things if you take it apart backwards from how they put it together at the factory. Take out the biggest pieces you can take out the top of the dash take out the body of the dash take out the entire air box work on those parts while they're outside of the truck then put them back and large pieces just like they did at the factory if you try to take shortcuts it turns into a nightmare.

[@johnpavon799]

Why did you not just pull the whole heater box out, and then pull the heater core off the back of the box?

[@gerowen]

Because it's inside the box, so you have to slide the box forward and remove the top, and the air conditioning hardware is also inside the same box, so you have to drain and disconnect the A/C lines that are under the hood. I didn't have anything to capture the refrigerant from my A/C lines, and by the time I realized I didn't have a canister to capture the refrigerant or the tool to disconnect the lines, I already had the dash board in pieces, so I just said screw it, :P

[@BeastisProductions]

And me n my dad got alot of tools n for some reason our socket wrenches etc wont fit those b

[@harolddowning8530]

My 99 sport needs heater and passenger door. The dash has to come loose for the door so guess what? Im just going to do both at the same time. Been putting it off for 4 years. Thank god i have another vehicle!

[@MoparMattt]

I did this too and it sucked horribly. Lots of frustration and now my dash has a very annoying squeak to it. But i did save a ton of money just the aggravation was insane.

[@MoparMattt]

I figured out my squeak was actually where my transmission downshift cable was rubbing my firewall after I put a throttle body spacer on

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

I thought heatercore is on driverside firewall theres Two hose. Mines a 2002 sport 4wd with same 3.9v6 a quadcab

[@gerowen]

The heater core itself is "sort of" toward the driver's side, but it's all one large box that extends all the way over to the passenger's side and you have to take the lid off to get to it.

[@mattmac86]

It ain't to hateful, I've don't it twice. I didn't take my dash completely out, just laid it on the seat kinda, dropped the column down, etc. First time took like 7 hours, 2nd time about 5.

[@benbrewer5853]

the factory should have made a square box underneath the hood there where you can get your heater core out without having to take your whole dog-goned a shout

[@chandlersmith6632]

Coolant systems are outdated. I doubt we need to be using antifreeze in the near future. That said I have a Dak also and it is blowing in mildew through the vents. I am thinking just get a better condition used car.

[@TristonSmith_ThePlumbingSmith]

Chandler Smith why would we not use antifreeze

[@chrisobrien3818]

You have use antifreeze to cool the engine and keep the engine block from freezing in the winter time there is no other way to cool engine without seizing it up and water helps but not in the winter months since it'll just freeze

[@JutDoggCowboy1981]

I definitely think I will just spend the money on labor to get my heater core professionally installed. I appreciate your video tho and I feel like I would probably end up fucking more stuff up if I tried it on my own also... Thanks man

[@deadzonegaming6974]

Getting ready to do this job on my new to me 98 dodge dakota didn't even own it for 24 hours

[@Perforated611]

damn, I have to go do one of these, and I live in canada, there is no way I can just by pass the heater core without freezing to death at -30 celcius (-22 F) Dodge did not decide to make this part easy, could have made the HVAC bolt upwards under the dash so it could just drop down, but nooooo, lets make it so people would rather cut a hole in the damn firewall than replace the heater core normally.

[@mattmac86]

And its way easier to pull the whole box out and pull the lid off to do it. It's like 20 some screws to split the box apart

[@Jaydevine534]

Thank you!

[@greygoosemafia]

I have a 99 ram. Didnt take my dash all the way out. I was just fine. took about 8 hrs though. one person

[@oscarencarnacion5802]

Thank you very much ay just change My mind 😭

[@pharwood74]

it take about 7 to 8 hours don't forget the nut on the firewall in the engine bay.

[@664sdp]

Damn! I gotta do all that just to take out that piece of shit ..

[@NickM1013]

Wow! I think the heater core is the least of your problems lol.

[@trackrunner11]

It will cost you a lot more than $500 dollars to replace it sir.Try 1500 for starters with no guarantees. Most people would refuse that kind of work because of the time it takes to tie up a mechanic. In other words,if you want it done ,you or someone you know ,who is willing to work on it ,will have to tackle it. The cost involved (assuming you will replace the evaporator and accumulator dryer while you are doing this job) causes many to just junk the trucks because it is more than the value of the vehicle.

[@1972ratbat53]

Make sure you put a blower motor in mine cost me 500.00 to fix.

[@TheRichardOlson]

Mad me laugh lol but thanks for the video

[@Ray-dw1zd]

The first mistake you made was to cut that box apart you remove the whole assembly from the vehicle that means you have to evacuate the air conditioning and recharge when finished that's the only way to do it properly I have done hundreds of them I know the procedures you do not have to remove the complete dashboard you can pull the passenger side away enough to get the whole distribution box out if you know what you are doing you can do it in about 3 hours

[@gerowen]

Problem is I had no clue what I was doing at the time and didn't have the money to pay somebody else, :-p

[@wreckergirl2939]

Hahaha I just Subbed your so like me . " I got pissed and cut it off" that's soooo me . This is a ton a un hooking shit geeeez why can't anything be easy.

[@MrHeadshot1982]

not doing that I scraping mine.

[@jpodo]

I just said "fuck it" and bypassed my heater core. It's not like I need it...I do live in Texas. I was done in 10 minutes.

[@cathutsonpillar3496]

we did too, except one big problem NO defrosters and we do need them for foggy windows in Texas we discovered just recently lol

[@bdogjr7779]

I will mount a paper towel holder on my dash board to defrost the inside of the windshield and build a campfire on the floor if it gets too cold.

[@evankibbe590]

I'm crushing a 2000 Dakota and pulling the dash out of it !!!!! 2 whole days so far trying not to break it . It's a basterd so far !!

[@nicholaspolicastro6722]

Holy shit no wonder the shop wants 900 dollars to put in a 40 dollar heater core

[@barryclark2947]

This is quite possibly the worse heater core change I have ever done.. Whoever the designers were who came up with this pathetic mess should be castrated and tossed into pen of bloodthirsty wild boars!!!!!

[@TheBigdayn22]

hell yeah been a pain in the ass

[@L0TS0D0113RS]

On my 91, I somehow managed to take the top of the black mystery box off, but there were screws in just some of the cruelest places, and I took the screws that held it in the firewall out, and pulled on the hvac assembly where the heater core was, and BARELY got it out.

[@rnljrt.c.b8100]

I think I'll just go ahead and by a space heater that plugs in to my cigarette lighter.

[@bernswonger57]

Will an electric heater take care of defrosting?

[@garyrichmond7857]

Looks like a nightmare

[@JaredHempfield]

If it's just not heating then you can easily blow out the lines from the engine bay side kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpSvkGOKjMqNgLs

[@tazerface8638]

the old cut and repair method. haha

[@benbrewer5853]

I said dash out not shout out

[@conifergreen2]

Typical Chrysler product. The government should never have bailed them.out. They were going to go out of business for good reasons. I will never buy a Chrysler vehicle again. I had to replace my heater core in my 2009 cheap. 2000 dollars at the dealer. Luckily there is a shortcut through the glove box shown on You tube. I did it that way so all I had to pay was the cost of the core. These engineers that design these vehicle are awful people.