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DASH Removal

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Old 09-11-06, 12:18 PM
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97-SC300
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Default DASH Removal

anyone ever take their whole dash out of ther SC? it lookslike i will have to because i think i got an external leak on the heater core, its leaking coolant everytime i use the heater from the little hose in the engine comp. i think its an A?C drain tube. but yeah i will need to know how to take it out, i am worried about that its not ever going to be the same when i put it back in. anyone ever do it ? any tips?
Old 09-11-06, 12:21 PM
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its not hard, but time consuming!! be prepared to spend a weekend on this job.
Old 09-11-06, 12:26 PM
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i just dont want it to end up all crucked when its all back or any broken panels.
Old 09-11-06, 03:36 PM
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IT's pure hell to get the assembly out that the blower is attached to (and heater core). I'll sell my car before I ever do it again. taking the dash out is the easy part.
Old 09-11-06, 09:01 PM
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do you have any tips for me to make it a little essier, because selling my car is not an option.
Old 09-11-06, 09:28 PM
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My parts car is down to this..........

I went outside and took a few pics for you.


Arrow indicates heater core.
Attached Thumbnails DASH Removal-.-005.jpg  
Old 09-11-06, 09:28 PM
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Arrow indicates heater core. .
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Old 09-11-06, 09:30 PM
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The entire assembly you are looking at MUST COME OUT to remove the heater core. The firewall will be completely bare by the time you get the core out.

The core will come loose, but will not slide up due to the metal hoses, and will not slide back for the hoses to pass due to the fact the entire housing is surrounding the heater core.


........ in short..... you're boned. Strip the entire firewall bare by removing all wiring, dash, center console, electronics, etc..... this entire unit must be removed for the heater core to pass. It will move around, but not come completely out, only 20% out.
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Old 09-11-06, 10:36 PM
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that sucks for you, knocks on wood****

btw good job with the pictures OLT "mr nice guy"
Old 09-12-06, 12:04 PM
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wow thanks OLT, relly appriciate it, i ordered the core today will start when it comes in. how long did it take you to take all that apart, i am hoping to finish in 2 days over the weekend maybe 3. but my dad is a master body tech for porsh so he has taken out plenty of dashes he said so he will be with me doing it to.
Old 09-12-06, 01:13 PM
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i did it this past weekend, removed the dash with another cl member who needed the core from my parts car. it took about 2 hours with two people to remove it. the hardest part will be getting the core out, the hoses by the firewall is a pita.
Old 09-12-06, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by aliga
the hardest part will be getting the core out, the hoses by the firewall is a pita.
2 words: Friggin sawzall.

If I ever do it again, I'm buying new hoses and getting the sawzall.
Old 09-12-06, 07:41 PM
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before i start to rip out the interior what can i do to make sure its the heater core that is leaking and not something else? the floor is dry, heat works fine, windows dont fog up, just a little drip of coolant from the ac drain tube in the engine comp. any tricks or tests i can do to make 100% sure its the heater core. much appriciated guys. you have been a great help. will post pics when i finish. maybe someone will need some info on this later on who nows.
Old 09-13-06, 11:45 AM
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anyone know? whats the best way to manke 100% sure the heater core is leaking?
Old 09-14-06, 11:47 AM
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i just got the heater core in the mail and i have a question, the heater core did not come with those metal tubes that go to the firewal, anyone know why? i called like 5 dealers and they said that it probobly does not come with them, nobody knew for sure. any clues, can i reuse the old ones? do they just slideout and have like an o-ring in between or something?


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