How to Remove the Heater Core in a 1985 Chevy Van
- 1). Park the van on a level, paved surface and set the parking brake. Do not attempt to work on the van until it has cooled off.
- 2). Use a ratchet and socket to remove the negative battery cable.
- 3). Pull the coolant reservoir hose off of the radiator neck. Use a piece of duct tape to tape the hose to the reservoir, with the end of the hose pointing straight up and above the top of the reservoir.
- 4). Use a ratchet and socket to remove the two bolts that hold the top of the reservoir onto the firewall. Remove the reservoir and set it aside.
- 5). Loosen the hose clamps on the heater hoses where they attach to the heater core tubes at the firewall. Pull the hoses off the heater core tubes and plug them with plastic shopping bags. Lay the hoses to the side, on top of the engine. This will prevent any coolant from leaking out of the hoses.
- 6). Unlatch the engine cover and remove it.
- 7). Remove the instrument panel screws along the top of the instrument panel using a Phillips screwdriver, then remove the screws on the bottom of the instrument panel. Lift up the passenger's side of the instrument panel and support it by wedging some rolled-up shop rags between the corner of the panel and the windshield. This will give you access to the heater core cover.
- 8). Move to the engine compartment and use a ratchet and socket to remove the three nuts that hold the heater case onto the firewall. Two nuts are located above the heater core tubes, and one below it.
- 9). Move back to the passenger's compartment and pull the heater case and core assembly away from the firewall. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the bolts that hold the heater core onto the case.
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