Help with Changing Heater Core?

[mightyboy]

Hey guys,

I'm new here. First post!

I found these forums when looking for information on Festiva heater cores.

Unfortunately my girlfriend's Festy's heater core decided to spring a leak and flood the footwells inside the car.

It's a '99, 2 door and it's green!

I had the mechanic bypass the heater core for now, beause the amount he wanted to charge for labour would be astronomical.

My girlfriend is actually buying a new car now, so the Festy will be sold. It will be a little hard to sell it with no air conditioning (gas leak somewhere) and no heating! Also, I believe it won't pass registration with the heater core bypass. Thankfull it's still got 11 months left till then.

Anywaaaayyy... the point of my post is to ask for your advice.

Should I attempt to swap out the heater core myself, should I sell it as is (honestly of course!), or should I fork out for the mechanic to fix it?

Baring in mind... I'm not experienced with car mechanics, but I am a good logical, technical thinker, and a fast learner.

I have assisted in changing an alternator and even a head gasket in the past and I have installed several CD/MP3 players, but I have never taken off a dashboard!

I can source a new heater core for $130 Australian Dollars, which is also better than the $200 to $300 the mechanic quoted.

Do you think I would be capable of doing this? I fully expect it may take me a whole day to get done.

What tools will I require? Perhaps a special spanner to get the bolts near the windows?

How much do I have to actually dissasemble to get this job done? Can I just losen the dash and pull it forward, or do I have to take out the whole console and dash etc?

Does anyone have any good tutorials or photos?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Michael.

[freshtiva]

Welcome to the forum !!!

[mightyboy]

A kind... but ultimately not that useful... response

Thanks! Hopefully someone here will give me some direction.

Does this seem reasonable?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORD-FESTIVA-HEATER-WB-WF-1994-2000-BRAND-NEW-/270457225391?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ef881c0af

[Pu241]

The dash must come out to replace the heater core.
Dash removal and replacement is an approx 4hr operation.
Our fearless leader performed this task only a few months ago.
Perhaps he will respond with particulars.
It is not mechanically difficult, but tedious, requiring patience and attention to the details of disassembly and subsequent reassembly.

[kartracer46]

Where are you located? There may be someone close to give you a hand. There are a few aussie friends on here.

[mightyboy]

Hi guys, thanks for the reply.

I'm in Homebush Bay, in Sydney, but I really wouldn't expect anyone to want to help with such a tedious job!

When you say the dash needs to come off, do you mean off off? or just partially off? I've seen some videos online (for other models) where the dash is just loosened and pulled forward, and the heater core is able to slide out.

Is the heater core in a heater box or other assembly that has to be fully removed, or can it just be slid straight out from behind the dash?

I'm pretty meticulous when it comes to things like this, I'd probably make a list and take photos as I went, so I don't imagine the job would be beyond me.

What sort of tools would I need? I mean... I have tools... but do I need a flexible spanner thing to get at some bolts?

I'd love to see any pictures from similar operations if anyone has any!

Thanks again guys!

[kartracer46]

PM me with your email address and I will send you some info.

[freshtiva]

See the black plastic box(air distribution plenum) centered under the dash, right in front of the shifter ? You have to split that to get to the heater core. Sorry about my useless welcome response.

[kartracer46]

I am trying to figure out how to shrink these .PDF files so they will email. I will get them to you, I promise.

[kartracer46]

I am trying to figure out how to shrink these .PDF files so they will email. I will get them to you, I promise.

OK, I think it's figured out. Check your email and let me know.

[freshtiva]

I could send u pics all day long, gone though a few festivas. Dont want to waste your time with useless info though.

[mightyboy]

Hey guys,

Thanks very much for the information and pictures, they will be a big help.

kartracer46 you really went the extra mile with your efforts, thank you very much!!

The info you guys have given me gives me a good understanding of what's involved, however, it does seem your focus is mainly on the older model Festivas. Does anyone by chance have any information specifically pertaining to a 99 model Festiva. Do you guys even have these festivas in the US? I see a lot of older Festies on here.

It looks like this... but it's an auto:

http://www.pbcars.com.au/cars/products/164/60/ford_festiva_wf_trio_bright_sapphire_5_speed_manual_hatchback1998_4350

Thanks again. Will be sure to keep you updated if I go ahead with this!

Cheers,
Michael.

[Lil-Red]

We do, but they are called an "Aspire"

[kartracer46]

Mightyboy, it is the same process with the exception of the core removal. On the later box all you do is take the access cover off with 4 screws where the core slides in the heater box. You don't have to split the later ones. The dash is the same process. The Aspire guys can probably give you a good idea where the mounting points of the dash are. and maybe you could hook me up with a couple of those rear name badges.:p

[bravekozak]

How do you split open the heater core?
I took off all the screws and clips. It binds in the middle.
What did I miss?