Heater vent door question

[runner406]

Hi guys just wondering how hard is it to replace the seals that close off the cold air to warm air as in winter i have cold air blowing in thru the center vents no mater what ,, do i have to pull the whole dash off to replace these foam seals ? Any help or advice would be appreciated thanks jd

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[bravekozak]

I would completely remove the blower assembly and reline both it. and the main damper behind the glove box. Summer is perfect to pull it out, open it up, inspect the heater core, flush it out, clean the fins, replace the foam seals, take a break under a tree with a nice cold one, replace everything and celebrate with another cold one.
The blower has to be pulled back far enough for the heater core nipples to clear the firewall.

[koRnhead]

No matter what you do....you will always have cold air coming from those vents. Festy's only make heat on defrost and floor settings.

[bravekozak]

If you do decide to take your blower apart to do your 25th anniversary heater core maintenance, then be careful with the blower resistor (E8BZ-18591-A). If you break it carelessly while removing it for inspection, then... kiss $36 goodbye. Rear Counter is out of stock on this part. This is the last one.

I am willing to bet that your ceramic is probably already broken. You don't want to break the wire too. So, gently pull straight out. The one in the ebay photo looks cracked. The Pride resistor had a special cardboard support cradle. I bet Ford repackaged without the support and it cracked in the box from sliding around. Because of that, I recommend ordering from Four Green unless this seller is prepared to cut the price in half.

[runner406]

I realize the fact that the vents have only cold air ,, the problem im having is that when i have my heat on the cold air is still blowing thru the vents so im assuming the seals are gone what is everyone using to reseal these vent doors with ? Where to buy the foam stuff any clue

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[runner406]

Also my question is do i have to pull the dash to access this vent door assembly ? Or is it behind the glove box under the blower bo u totally lost me on that whole blower motor pull why do i need to pull the blower and if i do can i get the door i need to reseal ? Off ?

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[runner406]

Thanks guys

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[Bert]

It's kinda tight in underneath a Festy dash! For the helluvit I completely stripped a parts car a few years ago and have an entire heater box and blower motor tucked away (once the dash pad is out it's all right in front of you) but from looking at the doors in the unit I don't see any easy fixes when it comes to new seals and gaskets.

[bravekozak]

It depends on where the vehicle was driven. If it was driven in the city for 25 years, not parked under trees where dirt and small leaves could blow in and the main damper was closed most of the time, then you could chance not taking it out.
On the other hand, the heater core fins could be completely plugged with dirt and leaves. The Festiva does not have a mesh to prevent small leaves and fluff from entering the air plenum in front of the windshield, nor does it have a cabin filter.

I am surprised that nobody else has installed a cabin filter yet. Once you clean out the twenty five years of garbage in the blower you will be as amazed to the same degree as rebuilding your factory shifter.
How long do you intend to wait to do some preventive maintenance? 50 years?

[navdoc101]

Also my question is do i have to pull the dash to access this vent door assembly ? Or is it behind the glove box under the blower bo u totally lost me on that whole blower motor pull why do i need to pull the blower and if i do can i get the door i need to reseal ? Off ?

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No real answer to his questions. Do you need to pull the dash?

[bravekozak]

Yes. That means disconnecting the battery, three bolts on top, two from the side, two nuts from under both ends. center two bolts on the blower, unbolting the speedometer, unscewing the fuse block, taking the parking brake cable off the dash, unplugging the dash harness from main harness and lower harness, unplugging the connectors to the steering column, removing the dash support bracket that goes under the steering column.
Disconnect all heater control cables, unplug A/C switch if present.

Did I miss anything?

It will probably take you longer to take out the blower, split it in two, clean it out, put it back together and reinstall it, than to remove the dash. Don't forget there is one screw way down in the recess, almost hidden. Good luck getting the heater hoses off without destroying them.

I hope my simple description of the process makes everyone enthusiastic enough to do it on a hot, sweaty summer afternoon. Be sure you have a case of cold brewskis in the fridge. You are going to need a couple of them for sure.

[Bert]

Yes. That means disconnecting the battery, three bolts on top, two from the side, two nuts from under both ends. center two bolts on the blower, unbolting the speedometer, unscewing the fuse block, taking the parking brake cable off the dash, unplugging the dash harness from main harness and lower harness, unplugging the connectors to the steering column, removing the dash support bracket that goes under the steering column.
Disconnect all heater control cables, unplug A/C switch if present.

Did I miss anything?

It will probably take you longer to take out the blower, split it in two, clean it out, put it back together and reinstall it, than to remove the dash. Don't forget there is one screw way down in the recess, almost hidden. Good luck getting the heater hoses off without destroying them.

I hope my simple description of the process makes everyone enthusiastic enough to do it on a hot, sweaty summer afternoon. Be sure you have a case of cold brewskis in the fridge. You are going to need a couple of them for sure.

Nope. Pretty good description. NOT five minutes work. No doubt a desperate (and inventive) body can and will find a way to access the heater. Be my guest. My nephew's 99 Taurus had zero heat last winter and was quoted $1500+ to replace the blend door actuator and the heater core ($75 for the parts). I got under there with a die grinder and various contortions/conniptions via a novel step by step U-Tube-illustrated shortcut but it still was a helluva lot of work (15 hours) and the dash only had to be lifted up and out 12 inches (by a second person) to get at the core.

[bravekozak]

I forgot to mention unplugging the stop lamp, blower motor, clutch connectors. Anything with wires that will prevent just lifting the dash right out of the car. It would probably be a lot easier if you unbolted the front seats and got them out of the way.
When you have heat again in the winter, it will all be worth it. Please post photos of your heater cores, before you clean them. If you have A/C, you don't need to remove your heater core. Your condenser would have stopped all the dirt and debris. Just remove your condenser and clean it out.

[navdoc101]

Yes. That means disconnecting the battery, three bolts on top, two from the side, two nuts from under both ends. center two bolts on the blower, unbolting the speedometer, unscewing the fuse block, taking the parking brake cable off the dash, unplugging the dash harness from main harness and lower harness, unplugging the connectors to the steering column, removing the dash support bracket that goes under the steering column.
Disconnect all heater control cables, unplug A/C switch if present.

Did I miss anything?

It will probably take you longer to take out the blower, split it in two, clean it out, put it back together and reinstall it, than to remove the dash. Don't forget there is one screw way down in the recess, almost hidden. Good luck getting the heater hoses off without destroying them.

I hope my simple description of the process makes everyone enthusiastic enough to do it on a hot, sweaty summer afternoon. Be sure you have a case of cold brewskis in the fridge. You are going to need a couple of them for sure.

hmmmmmmNever mind! I'll just do the brew!!

[runner406]

Thanks im gonna do it on my next over 90 degree day to see how much weight i can drop lol

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