QuestionI have a 1997 Ford Escort LX? It has an automatic transmission and 2.0L SOHC. The Service Engine Soon light and the airbag light came on and went off- then it started running hot. I refilled the radiator and now my floorboards are soaked with antifreeze/coolant. My front windows fog up and smoke comes out of the vents. I was told that it sounds like the heater core is bad. How do you replace the heater core? I hope my husband can do it since we don't have the money to take it to the shop.The engine had to be replaced last August because it ran hot and the transmission was rebuilt 6 months ago. Thanks
AnswerHello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
REMOVAL
Drain the engine coolant.
Remove the instrument panel
Disconnect the heater water hoses from the heater core.
Detach the antenna lead from the heater.
Remove the (A) screws and the (B) push pins and disconnect the windshield defroster nozzle connectors.
Loosen the A/C evaporator outlet duct clamp screw.
Remove the three heater nuts and the heater.
Remove the heater dash panel seal.
Remove the three heater core cover screws and the cover.
Remove the heater core.
Instrument panel removal:
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait one minute for the backup power supply to be depleted. WARNING: THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT SERVICE IS PERFORMED. TO DEPLETE THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY GROUND CABLE AND WAIT ONE MINUTE.
Remove the parking brake and shift consoles.
Remove the screw from the center instrument panel finish panel.
Pull the center instrument panel finish panel straight out from the instrument panel reinforcement and remove.
Disconnect the cigar lighter socket electrical connectors.
Remove the cigar lighter knob and element.
Twist the cigar lighter socket from the cigar lighter retainer and remove.
Remove the pushpins and the LH and RH control box side covers.
Remove the radio antenna lead in cable from the instrument panel reinforcement.
Disconnect the radio antenna lead in cable.
Disconnect the amplifier electrical connector, if equipped.
Remove the four screws from the transmission control selector dial bezel.
Position the transmission control selector dial bezel sideways.
Remove the bolt from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) electrical connector and position out of the way.
Remove the two rear side PCM bracket bolts.
Remove the two PCM bracket bolts and remove the PCM and bracket as an assembly.
Remove the Integrated Control Panel (ICP) .
Remove the steering wheel.
Remove the nut from the hood latch control handle and cable and position out of the way.
Remove the screw and the instrument panel steering column cover.
Remove the two steering column bracket bolts and position the steering column downward.
Remove the five screws and remove the instrument panel finish panel.
Remove the four screws from the instrument cluster.
Disconnect the instrument cluster electrical connectors and remove the instrument cluster.
Remove both front door scuff plates by pulling upward.
Remove the two push pins from each cowl side trim panel and remove the panels.
Remove both front door seam welts.
Remove both roof side inner front mouldings by pulling outward.
Remove the fuse panel cover and disconnect the main fuse junction panel electrical connectors.
Push in on the glove compartment door tabs and position down.
Remove the two hinge to instrument panel screws and remove the glove compartment.
Remove the passenger side air bag module.
Disconnect the vacuum line harness connector.
Pry off both instrument panel end panels.
Remove both LH and RH center instrument panel reinforcement bolts.
Remove both LH and RH lower instrument panel reinforcement bolts.
Remove the cover and the upper instrument panel reinforcement bolt.
Pull the instrument panel slightly away from the mounting position and ensure that all electrical connectors are disconnected.
Remove the instrument panel and the instrument panel reinforcement.
Hope this helps,
Erik
