Heater Core Replacement Pic's

[Thumpin]

I did a Heater Core recently and I thought the Pics would be interesting for those in need.
Note the difference between the original core pipe attachment and the new replacement core.
Takes a day to perform plus an A/C regas. Is a delicate process, not for the heavy handed.

 

[accentstencil]

Quite a job. I hope I never have to go through that. Any parts left over?

 

[dmitch]

bloody hell.. y do they have 2 make things so difficult..

 

[Christina]

what sort of things were you getting from the air con/heater to know you needed to install a new one?
i think my AC just needs to be regassed, not sure...

 

[Julie]

Been there, done that! fun ain't it! Christina, we had a strong coolant smell coming out from the air con.

 

[Christina]

I had that for AGES, I got my heater tap and lower hose fixed, NO smell since...???
Well, it was kind of like a dank, musty smell. Gone now..

 

[Thumpin]

what sort of things were you getting from the air con/heater to know you needed to install a new one?
i think my AC just needs to be regassed, not sure...

Hi Christina, The heater core and A/C Evaporator core are two separate parts. In one of my pics the larger core is the A/C Evaporator. My Evaporator was in good condition and I only took it out to clean the dust and lint out.
If your A/C has stopped working, then hopefully its just lost its gas. You need to determine where the gas was lost. If the A/C's performance has deteriated over years, then its probably acceptable gas lose rate. Just get is serviced, e.g: New drier and re-gas.
Regarding the Heater Core, as Julie said, its normally a coolant smell. I noticed the coolant smell after a coolant change which I used the Nulon long life coolant which has a very strong odour. I could only smell when the heater was operating, ie: temp control on dash turned to hot.
As you can see from the pics, the leak from my heater core was only a weep and is the result of a badly designed core.
The dash out is a major job, but to Holden's credit, everything is well made and fits back together very well. No parts left over..:yeah:

 

[accentstencil]

Hi Christina, The heater core and A/C Evaporator core are two separate parts. In one of my pics the larger core is the A/C Evaporator. My Evaporator was in good condition and I only took it out to clean the dust and lint out.
If your A/C has stopped working, then hopefully its just lost its gas. You need to determine where the gas was lost. If the A/C's performance has deteriated over years, then its probably acceptable gas lose rate. Just get is serviced, e.g: New drier and re-gas.
Regarding the Heater Core, as Julie said, its normally a coolant smell. I noticed the coolant smell after a coolant change which I used the Nulon long life coolant which has a very strong odour. I could only smell when the heater was operating, ie: temp control on dash turned to hot.
As you can see from the pics, the leak from my heater core was only a weep and is the result of a badly designed core.
The dash out is a major job, but to Holden's credit, everything is well made and fits back together very well. No parts left over..:yeah:

Your problem may have originated form the Nulon coolant if it is the one that contains inhibitor. I used to use Nulon until a radiator specialist told me not to use it because it contained an inhibitor and you need a coolant that contains Ethylene Glycol.

 

[Howdy]

VT heatre core replacement

Thumpin - come across your excellent thread on Commodore heatre core replacement.
Any special precautions to be taken with both the passenger and driver's side airbags when stripping the dash down?
Regards

 

[Thumpin]

Thought I'd rebirth this old thread due to a few questions about airbags.

Any work around the SRS system should be taken lightly. Everyone knows what an airbag will do if your in it's projector.

Following all the factory workshop manual steps must be adhered to for safety. I always treat airbags as though they were armed!!!

Disconnecting the power source (both battery terminals disconnected) technically dis-arms the airbags but cases have been reported where $hit happens...

Just be very aware when working around the airbags and taken extra care to cleanly remove electrical terminals and waste no time in removing the airbag assembly and get it out of your work area. Be aware that static electricity can be hazardous around airbags.

From the photo's, you can see that I only had to disturb the passenger airbag assembly to access the heater core. When you see the airbag unit, its a simple unbolt and one terminal plug removal affair. Place it somewhere safe like the boot or on the work bench once you lift it out.

Hope this helps some. Keep it safe.