Heater core shortcut

Here is some great info that viewer SINLESS COYOTE contributed. "As a Ford Master/ASE Master Certified technician who has used a similar shortcut for nearly two decades, there are a few very important tips that were not mentioned in this video. First of all, the bracket you cut off DOES have a use other than a spot for the robotic arm to grab the dashboard during assembly - it is the mounting point for the plastic panel below the dash that protects the blower motor housing, wiring and vacuum connections. Also, and more importantly, do NOT completely remove the top gold colored bolt on the left side of the dashboard, and support the right side with a small adjustable jack stand. Leaving the bolt in 2-3 threads will prevent the entire dashboard from falling to the floor when you pull it away for access. Lastly, after you’re finished with your cooling system flush, remove the 3/4” heater hose coming off the water pump (at the firewall, not at the pump) and slowly fill the degas bottle until coolant begins to spill out. Use of a cooling system pressure tester will help force coolant into the engine. This will completely eliminate air pocket problems so common with Taurus 3.0L engines.

[@jjsoundguy]

Those people who find fault with your techniques have NEVER contributed to the knowledge base here. You have saved me HOURS thank you.

[@TheTed5369]

Video was very helpful. To disable air bags disconnect battery -terminal, wait at least 2 minutes before doing anything else. I didn't cut bracket and it went fine. I just had to lift the dash a little more. David Stern was very professional and easy to understand.

[@keith011764]

As a Ford Master/ASE Master Certified technician who has used a similar shortcut for nearly two decades, there are a few very important tips that were not mentioned in this video. First of all, the bracket you cut off DOES have a use other than a spot for the robotic arm to grab the dashboard during assembly - it is the mounting point for the plastic panel below the dash that protects the blower motor housing, wiring and vacuum connections. Also, and more importantly, do NOT completely remove the top gold colored bolt on the left side of the dashboard, and support the right side with a small adjustable jack stand. Leaving the bolt in 2-3 threads will prevent the entire dashboard from falling to the floor when you pull it away for access. Lastly, after you’re finished with your cooling system flush, remove the 3/4” heater hose coming off the water pump (at the firewall, not at the pump) and slowly fill the degas bottle until coolant begins to spill out. Use of a cooling system pressure tester will help force coolant into the engine. This will completely eliminate air pocket problems so common with Taurus 3.0L engines.

[@realfixesrealfast]

That is some great information. In fact it is so helpful that I copied and pasted it to the description on this video. Thanks for your input. Duane

[@mazmad5]

Thanks for the video, Changed the heatercore in my 2000 ford Taurus yesterday and it only took about 2 hours. Cutting that bracket was brilliant! Thanks again!

[@Blackhole300ZX]

Thank you very much for this video. This process is legit, I just did it yesterday. I didn't cut off the tab, just bent it down, there was a harness that attached to it so I didn't want to remover it, that and I didn't feel like filling the customer's car with metal shavings. Perfect explanation and huge time saver. Thanks again.

[@leviedens]

I used this video to help me take the heater core out of my 2000 Mercury Sable which is the same pretty as far as i could tell. I found that taking the 6 bolts out and taking the center console out made a lot more room to help with putting in the new one or taking out the old one. (Which they did in the video but didn't mention doing) Cutting the bracket off made for more room and would probably be hard to do without taking off but when I put everything back together I had a plastic kick panel that popped into one of the holes. There is a tool to help assist taking the hose clamps off. They are like locking pliers and cable with a end that squeezes the clamp together. This is a very helpful video! Im glad I watched it before starting. Thanks for posting!

[@briansmobile1]

That's a great tip! You guys put out some great quality material.

[@brakenut1]

Great help... I also removed the radio module (or...dropped it out of the dash) It was near impossible to re-attach the motor blind... Access through the radio cavity made this a clean task. It takes under a minute to remove the module. Thanks for sharing this tip...

[@creepyrat]

very helpful, it took me a while but when it came to removing the core, that tab being gone made a huge difference.

[@vernroach3413]

Thanks for the tip...I like watching a pro and learning from them...Hate working on vehicles, under the dash, but sometimes you just have to do it and this will save time and backache....My thanks to the gent that made it.

[@dive1tom]

Just changed my heater core in my 1996 Mercury Sable using this advice. I bent the medal piece up with a set of linemen pliers instead of cutting. I was able to take it out myself but had to get my father in law to put it back in while I held the dash up for him. The hardest part was taking the hose off in the engine compartment. Those clips are a pain to get back so you can pull the hose. Total time to remove and install was 3 1/2 hours.

[@davej3840]

That is awesome and simple. Cut off the unnecessary bracket, done. Thank you for posting!

[@michaeldelon9549]

Thank you!!! I actually BENT the bracket up and out of the way. 2 hours start to finish thanks to your advice. Now my heater is blowing 160 degrees and I'm ready for winter. Yay!!! Many, many thanks.

[@marja6136]

That's what I was wondering. I don't have a grinding tool or saws-all. Was it hard to bend?

[@toddhall9174]

We were able to remove the heater with out cutting off a bracket. We just needed a 2nd pair of hands to lift the dash higher. Saved a lot money doing it ourselves.

[@masonfalcon6933]

I'm gonna try it too myself

[@sunsetautocarsandbikes]

i just want to say thank you so much for this demo video. i've owned a shop for 15 years and did 20-25 taurus heater cores with pain. now i do it with a breeze thanks to you... i really appriciate your help you have helped me mazimize my income by 40%

[@mgleason41]

Worked Great!! I did exactly as described and it was easy. The hoses on the firewall are truly the most difficult part. I recomend using a die cutter with a large cutting wheel, i had a small one and it took forever. Also you want someone to help lift the dash as you change out the heater core. I pulled and installed the new heater core and only had to lift the dash once and put it back thanks to having a helper. Good Video!!!!!!!!!

[@thatoneshadykid]

You saved me so much aggravation and headache on my 2000 Taurus. Thanks! :)

[@dronedbr]

Awesome tip. I did a similar job by cutting out a bunch of plastic surrounding my 01 impala ignition switch. Saved a bunch of time, gave me room and will never be seen when the dash panels are reinstalled.

[@bllipps199]

Great vid! Just did my heater core today and got it done no problem. Couldn't thank you enough for this short cut. 2000 Taurus.

[@chrisa2966]

Just changed mine and it was pretty easy. I found an even shorter cut. You dont have to cut the bracket, just bend it up and when your done bend it down.

[@randybarnett7707]

Hi and thank-you for this shortcut. My friend and I (he did most of the work) used this technique on a 2002 ford Taurus yesterday 11/17/2014.. It worked perfectly. You were right about everything including the difficulty getting the heater hoses off at the firewall. You might want to make a video on getting the defroster dash panel vent off without cracking it in 10 places. I just purchased a used one on ebay to replace the one we broke in the process. Thanks again. Very helpful!!!!

[@neilparsons3067]

clamp off the hoses and cut 'em at the firewall...

[@Pressbutan]

THANK YOU SO MUCH SO MUCH SO MUCH! This just saved me like 5 hours of wrenching in a frigid pittsburgh afternoon.

[@ornellh]

Thanks for saving me a ton of time, that is a tight fit with out the bracket, but it barely has room, if I hadn't had your help it would not be finished in 2 hours! Cool

[@ghostrider.13]

I just changed out the heater core earlier on a Mercury Sable 03 I followed all the steps and it's imperative to get underneath there and cut that tab off. This video saved me I thank you so much for it

[@strokewarrior5762]

glad it helped

[@ghostrider.13]

@@strokewarrior5762 more than you will ever know.

[@kevincarrier7239]

Real big help, on my 2003 I had to pull the center console and pop the radio out a bit to get better access. I was also able to just bend the tab over rather than cutting it out. Thanks a million

[@dietzter1]

very nice I just did mine and didnt have to cut anything at all.. this guy saved me a lot of time.. its very easy after watching him.. I wish people would do more of this.. deff five stars in my book......

[@undeadsecret]

Great video. I had no grinder so i bent the bracket with a reg. screwdriver and that worked, it also enabled me to put the kick cover back on when i bent the bracket back into shape :)

[@shuriKen469]

this looks way simpler than getting access to a '99/00 Jeep Grand Cherokee heater core. nice tutorial, literally a quick shortcut!!

[@zoticus1]

I have done several with the normal procedure of removing the dash completely, then I figured out to cut the damn thing! AWESOME!!

[@PearComputingDevices]

Give the age and the mass amounts of these cars on the road I bet youve helped save thousands of additional hours for many. Wow, awesome!

[@zadok22]

Great time saving video! The dash unbolting and moving was the easiest part. Fortunately I was doing a tune-up, replacing plugs and wires and had removed the plenum or manifold. Glad i did because the hoses were the most difficult thing to get to. The only exception is don't cut off the plate just pick up the dash high enough and support it with a jack stand or something similar. The plate he suggest to cut off does have a purpose in holding one of the shrouds.

[@EAP3rd]

You just saved me about upteen hours time and who knows what kind of headaches. Thanks a bunch.

[@dave1135]

Also, in addition to everything you said at the beginning, if you lock the steering wheel in place and remove the pinch bolt by the floor, and slide the rack off the shaft, you can, by leaving the top bolt in on the side of the dash screwed in just enough to hold it, use it as a pivot and then slide the entire dash back and rest it on the passenger seat and have plenty of room to access the core. I've done it several times and it's worked every time

[@carldoby2827]

Awesome video. I changed the core in about an hour and a half. Thanks.

[@randytempleton5797]

Replaced the heater core in a 2002 Taurus after watching the video. Worked great! Thanks! The only suggestion I have is that i used a small jack stand in the floor to set the dash on, after pulling it back, since I was working on it by myself.

[@isaachernandez2670]

well ok thank you for your advice tomorrow I am going to challenge this, I myself am also a mechanic, just want to say thank you for your input and knowledge wish me luck and god speed.

[@ChrisMoney76002]

I just finished this exact repair on exactly the car he's demonstrating on. Everything went exactly as described except for one part. The bracket he tells you cut off is apparently not just for the robotic arm...it's also for part of the wiring harness and a shroud under the dash to hide cabling. Unfortunately, I cut the bracket off before I realized this. Now I have half a shroud hanging under the dash. Everything else went great.

[@windynabbie]

Be careful removing the actuator for the blend motor the plastic will break .There is a little plastic part that will break if you don't swing it up as you slide the core out. If hoses are also old just cut them, the part is not that expensive anymore. I needed a helper to lift dash as I pulled core out and installed new one. Saved me ~$800 Thanks !

[@brianashby5833]

I like how he just throws the glove box on top the car and scratches it and just throws the trim in the back.

[@Gandoff2000]

Your video was very helpful but of course being an amateur mechanic it took me longer than 1 ½ hours to complete. I would also like to note that when removing the core you have to be very gentle with the lever that runs in front of the core cover. If the plastic pieces that hold the lever in place break then you have a new problem. The lever will not stay in place unless you rig it somehow as I did. That was s real pain. After all that I do have heat and winter is coming soon so I am happy.

[@1spark2]

I did this on a 1996 Taurus about a year ago and it took about 50 minutes the first time.The original heater core was leaking.Put it back together and had no heat. Pulled heater core back out and it was defective.The company didn't punch out the end of the tube in the new heater core. Always blow through the new heater core when you get a new one. I've done hundreds of these over the years and always blow through them to make sure they aren't plugged. Second time was about 25 minutes.

[@coneill739]

Worked the nuts.. This guy gets my donation any day of the week!

[@1keykneedeep]

Awesome knowledge you've passed on. Thank you

[@NickMyers1]

Was helping a friend change the heater core on his 02 Taurus. We had not seen this video prior to the job. Now I wish we did! We took that whole black box out after freon evacuated. Was wondering what that access panel was on the box...now I know!

[@JohnMc52]

Great video, you really are an excellent teacher! Thanks very much!

[@dvandentop]

thank you for the tips on this, i got the heater core out i did not need to cut the tab off but simply lifted and pulled on the dash at the same time while getting he heater core out. feels like a furance in my car now!

[@zmgracing9188]

Worked at a ford dealer and I did this job in 45 minutes. I pulled the dash. You can take the bolts out, bolt out of the steering shaft, and think about 6 wiring connecters. Also hood and park brake cable. No cutting and hacking. Also 3 HR book time not 5.

[@MrTarkus007]

i really love watching your vids cause it shows that your a real pro &it's nice to see a pro at work! you must have a good memory to put all those screws back without forgetting a few i know i would lolol but watching you pull that dash to get to the heater core tells my why i would never buy a ford truck or car ..

[@gberland]

Chevy s, Dodge , or Imports aint any easier buddy

[@MrTarkus007]

yea your right but i still love chevy's better i don't know why i have never had a ford in my life &everybody that had ford's always had big problems with them starting with my 2 brother's & my wife nothing but f...en headaches i have a chevy silverado 1990 &it purrs like a pussy cat i wouldn't trade it for a 2014 .

[@gberland]

lol

[@patricksimmons395]

Replace a heater core in a PT Cruiser and you'd be begging to do this Taurus...

[@Qbasic8]

I'm partial to your comment. I am an ase certified tech myself. I can do this job in 45 minutes. I have NEVER had to cut the bracket off nor bend it. I pull the dash back far enough that I sit the right corner on the seat. Have more then enough room to remove the core. I did not like how the right scuff plate was being bent back when he was pulling on the dash. But the bracket does not hold the dash. The bolts he shows are all the bolts required.

[@505197]

What a great video, thanks for the advice. I usually break the heater core connections off, of cut them if possible then deal with them when I can get the hoses uyp to where I can work on them.

[@AutoTechMadsen]

I love short cuts! Thanks!

[@MyLifeThai371]

I remember back in the early 2000's hearing about guys having to cut some of the metal in the dash board of 1997 full size Dodge Ram pickups to do ductwork repairs on them with all the blend door issues those trucks were known for.

[@snort455]

Cutting the dash bracket is a great trick!

[@Pulltabporter]

Best help video I've ever seen.

[@tantrictoa]

lol...thanks David Stern for the automotive tip.

[@davedave8932]

This funny😂😂😂

[@kendallriebel3515]

That’s great good job explaining and showing!!

[@joegallagher3080]

This was awesome and informative!!

[@tsmith8752]

Was very helpful when I replaced the heater core on my 2000 Taurus. Didn't have to cut that bracket though. Just lift dash higher.

[@MrZapato09]

thank you so much, i am going to do it today, god bless you

[@1967Chrisjones]

I appreciate this video for I have to perfron the same oporation on a 1996 Taurus. If the '96 is any different than the one you demonstrated on, please let me know. I discovered a trick to clogged heater cores the first time I ran into one. Reversing the direction of the flow with just a bucket or pan or whatever works under the other side as to NOT send the debris into the radiator. Works, try it!

[@brainplow]

Yes this saved my as as well! Thank you very much!

[@donbickle707]

Thank you for sharing this great info! Wonderful teacher as well, hats off to ya sir!

[@Michiganborn1969]

@TCF2148 Depends on the shop. If the work order calls for the job to be 5 hours and the mechanic gets it done in 3, he still gets paid for the 5 hours. That's the beast behind flat rate mechanics. It's also works in the customers interest that if you get a new mechanic that doesn't know all the tricks of the trade & takes him 10 hours to do the same job, The customer still only pays for the 5 hours.

[@xr7coug]

Great video, big help for Taurus owners

[@jeffdouglas9906]

replaced my heater core this morning. took 2 hours. didnt cut the tab off. did everything as he did just lifted the dash a little higher and it came right out.

[@shamarone]

re: "It's also works in the customers interest that if you get a new mechanic that doesn't know all the tricks of the trade & takes him 10 hours to do the same job, The customer still only pays for the 5 hours." a whole nother beast.

[@oogiemaster]

That was a really good tip specially with the robotic arm knowledge. Who would have known that? ASE Certification alone is not enough, you need experienced to do some tricks.

[@SaurierDNA]

Wow, you are a good teacher, handy details, well explained. Could you have a fix like this for the heatercore of a w210 mercedes from 1997/1998... That would be a dream come through

[@juantv7715]

thank you so much for this video, god bless you.

[@chanmiller32]

Just replaced mine, only took 3 hours total. Thanks!

[@neoserenitydr]

Nice video. It is a pain to get the hoses off because they want to stay and they are hard to reach. We did not have to saw off any metal bracket.

[@TCF2148]

As with any repair, a mechanic must consider the original build process. This isn't something that you would necessarily want to discuss with a client, but may be necessary to get the job done.

[@aww4954]

Engineers were very high when they built this particular project.

[@thoughtfinder]

I just finished replacing a heater core in a 1988 Ford Crown Victoria station wagon.5.0 L V-8.Wow what a job.I hope I never have to do this again.I'd rather remove an engine out of a car than do one of those heater cores again.

[@abdyfe]

this man is a good ass mechanic he know his shit....the best....

[@teecee3866]

Thank you for posting this video!

[@billdang3953]

I wish changing the heater core in a fox body Mustang was this simple.

[@Triumphwonderdog]

Wow, thanks for sharing this. I need to do my 2002 ford focus and I will check for similar obstructions. thanks

[@abdyfe]

THIS MAN IS A GREAT MECHANIC (THE BEST) HE KNOWS HIS SHIT........

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

Had you tried to flush the heater core first? Good tip, hopefully I can find a shortcut on my 97 escort as it is leaking

[@nobsatthistime]

First try and reverse flush the heater core right in the car. Buy a few feet of hose and a Garden hose Adapter and blow water into the out hose on the core. (If the Core is not leaking) this should be try ed before you remove it. Use some WD 40 to spray the hose connections so the Hose you use will slip on easy. You can unblock a blocked heater core most times.

[@01fastrace]

I had to have my dash taken off to replace a blend door actuator. So my car was already 10-years old- so I had them put in a new heater core for only the cost of the heater core. It was a Lincoln Town Car. Now it has been almost 10-years and my blend door is starting to mess up at times. I have to run and clear it with the self-test. If the dash comes off- I will always put in a new heater core.

[@A1phanum3ric69]

No you must pull the air bag fuse as well for a safety precaution just in case any capasators have some charge left in and ststic electricity. Most repair manuals explain this

[@joshualtucker77]

Do not cut the bracket off!!! It holds the shroud that goes under the glovebox. You can still get the dash back far enough to get out the heatercore if you pull out and up.

[@DOLRED]

Did this job on another Ford...Others advise to jam cloth or something else in those open core ports before yanking the core---or you may end up with cruddy antifreeze on your carpeting from spilling whatever is stuck/left in the core. .

[@foxxbott]

You sir, are my hero. Thank you!!!!

[@SurrealNotion]

Excellent! Thank you fornthe great advice 👍

[@s4swihart]

Awesome!! you saved my soooooooo much time and money!! Thank you a billion times!!!!! Stupid little bracket, who knew!! Did it myself in an hour and a half!!! Works great!!

[@FOXX1WILLIAMS]

this saved me so much time.thank you!!!!!

[@FOXX1WILLIAMS]

what my boss dosnt know wont hert him

[@brianjames3105]

Ive done enough of them to do it in an hour anyway.

[@mezganly1963]

Wow !!! I wonder if that would work on a '99 Ford Festiva .... and should i show this video to my mechanic ? ;)

[@tantrictoa]

awesome. now that's a legitimate shortcut! good stuff

[@fordwindsor351]

I ve had a pluged up situation in my 98 ford expedition, I fixed it by un hooking the lines from under the hood and taking my water hose and blowing water through it, hot water at that to help break up the build up of that crap

[@SuperDd40]

easier to just switch core hoses, in to out , out to in, run it like that for a week ,then flush the cooling system. works every time :)

[@MarshallEvans]

Excellent video! Will save me tons of time!

[@cptdavidwebb]

that was awesome......thank you.

[@haug0099]

Removing that bracket makes all the difference in the world, believe it or not.

[@blackericdenice]

Ford is going to put a hit out on you.

[@laneesha1000]

blackericdenice 😩😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂right hes saving people BILLIONS

[@adriancressy8363]

Has an auto manufacturer ever made a car to be easily serviced?? Thanks for saving 5 hours of work. I bet the dealerships rip people for the full 5 hrs and they do your shortcut...

[@andrewoliver9686]

They sure do. I heard they charge you $800

[@JesusGonzalez-ft7ec]

Andrew Oliver Yup

[@Michiganborn1969]

I wonder if you can just simply backflow the core from the outlet port on the firewall & flush it out with some CLR & compressed air. Take the inlet hose & redirect it to an drain pan or something & clean all that gunk out of the little passages in the core?