toddstebleton@mac.com

I just started replacing my core yesterday. I did flush several times over the past year or two, but now I can smell coolant when running heat and the windows get foggy very easily, both signs of a bad core. So, I said what the hell. Turns out, it's not very difficult at all to disassemble the entire dash, but it does take time. If you have a little confidence and aren't afraid, it's not so bad.

I'm waiting for the new core for ECS tuning, then putting it back together may be a different story.

4Driver4

BTDT...well, I did the AC evaporator anyway. Too bad about your core; they are usually a low failure item.

Agreed about the difficulty. Lots of parts, but not really a terrible job. Following Bentley makes it much easier.

fimotorsports

can you detail how you did this? I'm about to try this to try and fix my heat issue

toddstebleton@mac.com

Realistically, no. Providing a detailed write up would take me about 4 days to write. But, I will work with you as you are doing it. Definately use a manual. I used the Haynes, but I'm sure Bentley would have been better. Everyone says do t do it, but I think that's just the hype. Most people probably haven't actually dine it themselves. If you feel like tackeling it, go for it. It will save you over $1K.

Here are some things you'll need:
1. A warm garage that provides room on each side of car.
2. A shop to discharge your AC
3. New coolant to fill when your done
4. For tools, you'll need a ratchet set, Allen set, triple square set (or whatever it's called)
5. Patience
6. Plan for a good three to four days without your car.

Enjoy it!

fimotorsports

how did you do this exactly, as far as pushing coolant through with compressed air.

mikefmcnally

Hi - I just bought a 2002 allroad and the heat worked when I test drove it. Yesterday when I was trying out the heat to see how it worked, it was blowing only cold air. I have the heat setting all the way up to high and the car was idle for 20 minutes.

I then shut the car off and let it sit for about 40 minutes, then started it up and it blew heat for the forst 30 seconds, then cold again. Does this sound like the air pocket issue above? The coolant was replaced when the car was services just before I bough it.

Also, do you happen to still have the photo mentioned above showing the bleeded line? I think I will try bleeding the line first.

Thanks!

4Driver4

The core is not properly bled. I'd take it back to whoever serviced it and have that fixed. Check the Tech Section for information on bleeding the system.

tdelaive

How did you go about putting pressure on the system?
I've tried bleeding it but the -24 C temperature makes it a bit difficult to do this properly outside with the car running.

tboyd1971

how do i preasurize system to get air out and get heat at idle ? please help

jcman

........instead of reply to a really old thread first.