heater core replacement

2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Avatar
BIGPETE69
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Heater problem 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 109000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
how tough of a job is it to replace the heater core in the above referenced car. I am a pretty good mechanic, but I don't like surprises! Instructions if possible? Thanks!!!!
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Hello,

You will need to drain the coolant first and disconnect the battery. Also you will need to vacuum down and then recharge the ac system when you are done. Here is a guide for that.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Here is a guide that will give you an idea of what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-heater-core

Here are some diagrams (below) of your car to help you get the job done

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken


Jun 12, 2017 at 3:47 PM
Avatar
SHANNON HART
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Heater problem
2001 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 164252 miles

i am wondering how you install a heater core on my 2001 chevy cavalier i think it went out and where is the heater core located??
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:48 PM (Merged)
Advertisement
Avatar
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,542 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_Noname_1799.jpg

Jun 12, 2017 at 3:48 PM (Merged)
Avatar
DCMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Trouble removing heater core from housing box in a 01 chevy cavalier
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:48 PM (Merged)
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Take a look at the attached pic and let me know if it helps. It shows the entire unit in an exploded view. Hopefully, you can see something that needs removed.
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:48 PM (Merged)
Avatar
ROCKGIRL_06
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Smells problem
1998 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Automatic

my car leaks coolant when parked. i smell a sweet smell inside my car and a film covers the inside of my windshield. i have replace thermastat and water pump. have check head gasket it is good.
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sounds like the heater core is leaking-you smelling the sweet odor
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
GILLY3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 110000 miles

do you have some step by step to remove heater core.chiltons is not much help.ther is a plastic piece going from the floor to the bottom of heat box unsure how to get it out
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,542 POSTS
REMOVAL: Disable the SIR system. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Properly drain the cooling system. Raise and safely support the vehicle. Detach the heater hoses from the heater core. Carefully lower the vehicle. Remove the instrument panel as instructed below: REMOVAL OF INSTRUMENT PANEL: Remove the instrument panel cluster trim plate. Unfasten the screws from the top of the cluster, then pull the cluster rearward to remove. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MOUNTING


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_0900c1528003cf21_2.jpg

HEATER CORE AND RELATED COMPONENTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_0900c1528003cf21_1.jpg

INSTALLATION: Position the heater core, then secure with the mounting clamps. Attach the heater core cover. Install the DERM with the attaching bracket. Install the instrument panel. Raise and safely support the vehicle. Connect the heater hoses to the core. Carefully lower the vehicle. Properly refill the engine cooling system and check for leaks. Enable the SIR system. Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine and check for proper system operation and/or leaks.
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
LRICHARDSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
having problems removing dash
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Here are the directions. Also, I have attached an exploded view of the system. I hope it helps.

Disable the SIR system.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Properly drain the cooling system.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Detach the heater hoses from the heater core.
Carefully lower the vehicle.
Remove the instrument panel. For details, please refer to the procedure located in Body & Trim of this guide.
Remove the DERM with the attaching bracket.
Detach the heater core cover.
Unfasten the heater core mounting clamps, then remove the heater core.



To install:

Position the heater core, then secure with the mounting clamps.
Attach the heater core cover.
Install the DERM with the attaching bracket.
Install the instrument panel
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Connect the heater hoses to the core.
Carefully lower the vehicle.
Properly refill the engine cooling system and check for leaks.
Enable the SIR system.
Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine and check for proper system operation and/or leaks.


This is the only exploded view picture I could find of the system. I hope it helps. It shows the entire system.
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
SISSYLOU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have to change the heater core on my car. Where is it located and what will I have to do to change it?
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
DOCFIXIT
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 18,828 POSTS
First need to remove instrument panel to be able to remove HVAC unit BIG job can download Mitchell from this site for instructions
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
PITZFAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Heater problem
1999 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

How to change a heater core in my 1999 chevy cavalier.
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
MMPRINCE4000
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 8,548 POSTS
Use the car repair manual link in this thread, or get a Haynes manual.

Generally you will have to remove a portion of the interior dash to get the the heater core, after draining coolant, remove old core and replace it with new core, tighten down coolant hoses.
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:49 PM (Merged)
Avatar
CLAUDIA0924
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
how to locate the heater core on a 2000 chevy cavalier? Its a 2.2.And what to diconnet? to but a new one back.
Sep 9, 2017 at 7:46 PM (Merged)
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS


HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

Remove the HVAC module. See: Housing Assembly HVAC\Service and Repair
Turn the HVAC module over.
Remove the heater core case cover screws and cover.
Remove the heater core bracket screws and brackets.
Remove the heater core.

Sep 9, 2017 at 7:46 PM (Merged)