I have a 93 F150 XLT and I've noticed the smell of freon in the cab. This morning on my way to work, I noticed water dripping from the dashboard onto the floorboard. I'm assuming that it's my heater core. I was wondering how much trouble it is to swap out the old one for a new one. Granted, I have only one-arm (http://www.one-arm.com) but, I'm pretty mechnically inclined. I've replaced my dad's water pump on his 66 Ford truck.

Could anyone give me pointers, things to watch out for, and etc.... I appreciate any...


Michael

 

A couple of things. Are you sure it's freon and not antifreeze you are smelling? I don't recall what freon smells like, so don't know if it's similar to af or not.

The heater core only has af in it. The a/c system has the freon and it's under pressure, so if it was leaking, it would only leak for a couple minutes, then it would be all gone.

The heater core is inside the cab, so my bet is that's what's leaking on you.

Sometimes the core is just under the dash, other times it's inside the dash. Not too sure on a '93, but I'm sure it'll be easier then on a '97 and above.

Good luck!!

 

Actually, I meant anti-freeze. Sorry about the mix up. I've replaced the on in my *ducks* 72 Chevy and it wasa quite simple but, this looks harder. SO much stuff in the way.... I guess I'll dive into it tonight. Wish me luck. :P

BTW, thanks...

Michael

 

uidzero
I wouldn't DIVE in just yet. I replaced one in an '83 GT and I had to drop the steering column, remove the ENTIRE dash, and disconnect the A/C lines (and lost all the freon) before I could get to the heater core.

If I were you I'd look for a repair manual that has specific instructions on how to R&R the heater core.

BTW, I only had 6 screws left over at the end of the day.

Good luck.

 

Well, I did go off into the deep end and dove directly into the heater core replacement. Yesterday, I started around 6:30 PM and I finished up at 10:30. Only to get the heater core out. :| I worked, unbolted, unscrewed, tore skin off nuckles, and etc... BUT, I got it off. Starting tonight at 6:00, I worked, re-bolted, re-screwed and tore more nuckle skin and etc... but, well, you get the picture.

I do have one question and I hopeI get a "don't worry about it". When I removed the panel fromthe box that holds the heater core, I noticed a small (falling apart) rubber gasket around it. Should I have bought one or maybe one should have came with the core? I went ahead and put it it without that rubber seal so, hopefull it will be ok. Anyone care to comment?

Thanks again for all of your suggestions, if anyone has a "about' same year model as my 93 and needs pointers on replacing the heater core, just let me know.

Michael
1993 Ford F-150XLT
http://www.one-arm.com

 

It may be a weekend project to change one of them out unless FORD made it easy on the new trucks I think your going to have to remove the dash to get to it.

 

I have a 1993 ford f-150 4x4 and last winter when I turned the heater on, it never warmed up and was just basically a luke warm heat and am thinking that it needs a new heater core. Can anyone out there tell me where the heater core is located at and how hard is it to get out?