Corsica Heater Core Removal

[MONKEYMAN]

Parents have a 1994 Corsica. Heater core was hemorrhaging antifreeze. I am stuck in removal of leaking heater core. I have removed 6 screws holding the plastic panel under dash, but cannot get it to free completely. I can drop down the front end and see the heater core. Instructions I have read say to pull forward so you don't break the plastic (it is a little late for that). I tried prying forward with a crowbar and broke a little edge of the cover. Now I am trying to get tips so I limit damage. Thanks in advance.

 

[MrMeeks]

you probably missed some screws.Look around for other screws holding the cover in place.

 

[onion]

Oh you poor [censored].

I owned and maintained a '94 Corsica for just over a decade... I'll just say it was an interesting experience- culminating in the sudden and unceremonious death of the transmission about 700 miles from home a few weeks ago (at 182,000 miles). But I learned quite a bit along the way, and became quite the contortionist... a skill that you'll be familiar with if you're replacing the heater core on one of these.

I replaced the heater core on mine twice over the years. I had a GM factory manual, and as I recall... to do this job by the book, you have to REMOVE the center console, then take the carpet loose and pull it back out of the way. Don't remember exactly what other steps were laid out; suffice to say that I wasn't ABOUT to do all that.

The way I removed this thing is pretty similar to what you're doing. I removed all the screws in the heater core box. I don't remember exactly how many there were, but I DO remember that there are a couple clear in the back that are very hard to find and remove... so make sure all the screws have been removed. Then I pulled up on the top cover and broke it- it was MY car, so I didn't care... and a crack in the plastic is a small price to pay for saving a full day's work IMO. That allowed enough clearance to get the thing out. Barely.

The heater hoses are just as much fun as the heater core, at least with the V6- don't know about the 4 cyl. You can access those heater hoses from the top by laying across the engine... from the bottom if you put the car on jack stands... or through the driver's side wheel well. None of these options are easy, and it helps if your arms hang down to your knees like mine do. Having changed the heater hoses once and the heater core twice, I've done all three. And given the choice, I'd probably bite the bullet, remove the driver's side front wheel, and reach in where the tie rod comes through.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope your health insurance is paid up and includes mental health benefits. Please make sure no women or children are within earshot whenever you work on your Corsica. And keep an eye on those intake gaskets.

 

[Chris142]

I have never gotten the cover out w/o breaking it and replacing it with a new one.

 

[mechanicx]

Chevrolet's Hvac are usually hard to access. The first model FWD Malibus might be the worst. The whole dash assembly and all the many parts attached to it, seats, console, steering wheel and part of column and basically the whole front dash assembly and it still won't come out right. The only bright side is the heater core is fairly durable all aluminun construction and not that plastic [censored] that some are. For some reason Pontiac interiors are usually easier to work on. Pontiacs were just a better version IMO but it's gone and Chevy stays. Goes to show how much consumers know. Somtimes the cover is stuck, glued itself on and you have to carefully pry around the perimeter if you have access but it'll probably break anyway. and sometimes it is keyed so that it needs to be pulled forward and not down so the center console might need to be moved like onion mentioned.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I am going back Sunday. Hoses are off, but it was tight. I am pretty sure I have all the screws removed, but as mentioned it may be keyed. It does seem glued, like I have not broken the seal where it is glued. If I need to replace the cover, are they easy to come by? Would a dealership be the best place? I was going to bring some epoxy and have some Gorilla tape. It does not have to look pretty, just be functional.

 

[The_Eric]

Probably not entirely the the same, but I recently did our 95 Grand Am's heater core. Look and feel for screws at the very base of the cover (against the firewall). If ours are related, there will be three. I also had to take an electrical connector off of the right side that was covering a screw.. Also, I found that getting the heater hoses off was best accomplished from the underside. Like I said our cars may not be related, but I hope this helps!

 

[onion]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I am going back Sunday. Hoses are off, but it was tight. I am pretty sure I have all the screws removed, but as mentioned it may be keyed. It does seem glued, like I have not broken the seal where it is glued. If I need to replace the cover, are they easy to come by? Would a dealership be the best place? I was going to bring some epoxy and have some Gorilla tape. It does not have to look pretty, just be functional.



I don't know how easy it will be to find a replacement; I never looked for one. But when I broke the cover on mine, it didn't break completely out or anything- just a big crack on each side. I just bolted it back together... never caused a problem.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Well, there were two screws I missed (not listed in my Haynes manual). Core is in, cover on, but having problems getting the piece attached that directs heat to all the vents. Having problems connecting it to the floor vents. It is a tight fit. If the bottom part of the dash was removed I would have more room, but it is not clear how to do that. Any guidance is appreciated!

 

[onion]

I don't have any useful advice for that plastic piece. I just pulled, pushed, pried, and cussed until I got the piece in place. It was a PITA.