Fix It

The heater core in your Saturn converts cool air into warm air by utilizing already heated coolant. The heater core has fins for air to pass through. It also has water tubes to let warm coolant cycle in and out. This process causes the air to heat as it blows into the passenger compartment. When replacing your Saturns heater core with a new one, look for the correct specifications in depth, height, width, and diameters to the inlet and outlet ducts.

Instructions

Removing The Heater Core

1

Disconnect the negative cable from the Saturns battery.

2

Drain the coolant mix out of the cooling system. If the coolant mix is still good, save it for when it is time to ill the system. Otherwise dispose of it properly.

3

Remove the heater hose coming out of the thermostat housing behind the engine block on the 4-cylinder engine. This hose is connected to the heater core pump on V-6 engines. Drain any additional coolant mix.

4

Remove both heater hoses from the firewall-heater/air conditioner housing by squeezing the tabs on the locking couplers and pulling.

5

Take out the right console extension inside the passenger compartment by sliding it back.

6

Use your flathead screwdriver to pry the tabs on the heater pipe clamps. Remove the clamps from the couplers, then remove the pipes from the heater core.

7

Unscrew the heater core strap-mounting screw. Move the strap to the side.

8

Firmly grasp the heater core and pull it out of its housing.

Installing The New Heater Core

9

Install the new heater core into the housing.

10

Position the heater core strap and tighten the mounting screw.

11

Place the new rubber O-rings on the pipes. Fit the pipes back into the cores appropriate inlet and outlet tubes. Install the clamps on the couplers.

12

Slide back the right console extension.

13

Install both heater hoses back onto the firewall-heater/air conditioner housing.

14

Refit the heater hose back onto the thermostat housing behind the engine block for 4-cylinder engines. For V-6 engines, it the heater hose back onto the heater core pump.

15

Refill the coolant system with the coolant mix.

16

Re-connect the negative cable on the battery.

17

Turn on your car and test the heater.

There are few things more uncomfortable than getting into your Blazer on a cold winter morning and realizing that you have no heat. Because you have to remove the dashboard to replace the heater core, it is often a costly repair. If you have time and patience, you can replace the heater core in your Chevy Blazer in an afternoon.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery prior to starting any work. You need to do this before performing any repairs on your Blazer to reduce the risk of shock or electrical shorts while you work.

2

Locate the heater core on the engine compartment side of the firewall. Disconnect the inlet and outlet heater hoses from the heater core and plug the open end of the hoses to prevent debris from entering the hoses while you are working.

3

Remove the lower dashboard panels from both the left and right sides by turning the retaining screws counterclockwise to remove them and then depress the clips to release the panels.

4

Locate the pivot bracket under the dashboard at both ends of the dash. Turn the bolts on the pivot bracket counterclockwise to remove them from the dash assembly. Turn the Torx screws on the pivot brackets counterclockwise to remove them from the bracket.

5

Lower the steering column from the dashboard by turning the four nuts counterclockwise to remove them from the firewall bracing.

6

Find the steel rod brace located just to the right of center at the bottom of the dashboard. Turn the bolt at the end of this brace counterclockwise using the appropriate socket to remove it from the dashboard.

7

Use a flat screwdriver to pry the speaker grilles and the defrost outlet out of the dashboard. This will expose a series of bolts that are hidden behind the grilles. Turn each of these bolts counterclockwise to remove them from the dash.

8

Hold the dashboard and allow it to tilt towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Disconnect the main electrical plug and the radio antenna.

9

Remove the steel rod brace from the heater core. Once this brace has been removed, use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the six screws that secure the heater core cover to the housing.

10

Remove the screws at the top and bottom of the straps attaching the heater core to the passenger compartment side of the firewall counterclockwise to remove the support straps.

11

Remove the screw from the center of the strap covering the tubes leading to the engine compartment. This is located at the top-left of the heater core. Once this screw is removed, you will be able to pull the faulty heater core from the firewall and install the new one.

12

Reverse all steps to install the new heater core.

The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has been in production since 1993. The 2002 model belongs to the second generation of this series, which includes the 2002 through 2007 Imprezas. The heater case in the 2002 Impreza contains the heater core, which is a radiator containing coolant. Hot coolant from the engine circulates through the heater core, heating the cars interior. The procedure for removing the heater case is the same for all Imprezas made from 1998 to 2005.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to prevent the engine from starting during the heater case removal. Wait 10 minutes before proceeding to prevent your vehicles airbag from accidentally deploying.

2

Place a container below the radiator, and remove the drain plug for the radiator with a socket wrench. Allow the coolant to drain from the radiator into the container, and store the coolant for later use. Replace the drain plug for the radiator.

3

Detach the hoses from the heater core, and plug the open ends of the hoses with shop rags. Remove the radio console from the dashboard with a socket wrench to provide clearance for the heater case. Disconnect the cup holder.

4

Turn the boot for the shift lever over if your car has a manual transmission. Remove the upper cover for the select lever if your car has an automatic transmission. Detach the cover for the console with a socket wrench, and disconnect the audio assembly from the console. Detach the cable and electrical connectors for the antenna.

5

Disconnect the lower cover for the console with a socket wrench, and detach the electrical connector for the seat belt timer. Remove the glove compartment and the console for the instrument panel.

6

Remove the mounting bolts for the steering column with a socket wrench, and lower the column to the floor of the vehicle. Detach the cover for the steering column, and disconnect the opening lever for the hood. Turn the switch for the temperature control to the coldest setting, and set the mode selector switch to the defroster setting. Remove the cables for the mode selector and temperature control switches.

7

Detach the electrical connectors for the instrument panel. Disconnect the retaining bolts on the instrument panel and the grill for the front defroster with a socket wrench. Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle, and detach the cable for the speedometer from the combination meter.

8

Detach the cables for the heater control, and disconnect the electrical wiring harness from the fan motor. Remove the air duct between the blower and heater with a socket wrench. Lift the heater case up and out to remove it from the vehicle.