I will be changing the leaking heater core in my 98 over the next few weeks. I know it will be a big job!

Anyway, is there a better quality unit than the stock one. I do not want to do this job twice.

Thanks,

Chris

 

I don't have a recommendation for a replacement. I would however suggest that you figure out why the first one failed so it doesn't happen again.

Heater cores usually fail from electrolysis. The coolant conducrs electricity, becomes acidic and eats through it. You need to change your coolant at least every other year. Make sure your engine ground straps are clean and add another ground strap to the heater core itself.

 

Don't ground the core, you will be buying a new one. Find the cause of electrolosis. Read this info.

http://members.shaw.ca/autocheck/electrolosis.htm

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Well, I did the job. It took me 3 painful days of part time work. The convoluted way that dash is assembled is a disgrace!

I used a brass/copper heater core instead of the aluminum original unit. From what I can tell, there was no corrosion in the old one. It looked like the leak was coming from a seam near the bottom. I cut the unit apart and it was spotless inside. I probably should have used radiator stop leak!!!

By the way, I changed my coolant every year and used distilled water. My dads 1980 Ford heater core failed after 3.5 years, his 1983 failed after 2 years, his 1992 failed after 5 years, my 1998 failed after 4.75 years. Ford, WAKE UP, either put in a robust core or make access easy!

In any case, for those who want to do this one yourself, be prepared to spend time locating hidden, difficult to remove screws. I cannot believe Ford builds a product like this. The thought process that went into that dash assy is pathetic by current engineering standards. I have never worked on a more poorly built automotive product.

It is items like this that make Toyota a leading company the world over. Not that you will ever need to access a Toyota heater core, but if you had to, you could, and quite easily I might add.

I love driving my F150, however Ford has not learned from previous mistakes. When Nissan or Toyota comes out with a true competitor with similar interior room, count me as a previous Ford customer.

 

now cujet have you ever removed a dash board from a toyota? how do you know it isn't has hard as your f150?

ford/vehicle engineers are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. imagine how much more you would whine/complain about your ford product if the dash squeaked! so what should they do? make it easy for a shade tree mechanic to take it off or make it solid so it dosen't squeak?

now i do agree that the heater cores shouldn't go bad so fast but from what i have read it is almost always some other problem and not the heater core itself that causes it to fail.

also remeber that ford dosen't make these heater cores and the company that does prolly makes millions of them and most likely also makes them for toyota and nissan. there is bound to be a few that are bad.

i know many people just like your dad that have only bought fords and they have never had a heater core problem. i would take a serious look at your dads maintenance habits.

i am sorry i don't mean to flame but i get a little tired of these broad statements of how bad ford is and the threats to buy another truck brand but if in reality it was as bad as you say, ford would not sell 2 million f series trucks a year.

i am not just a ford fan i am a automobile fan and the engineering process is not a perfect science and is full of trade offs.

enjoy your new truck.