I want to replace the front heater core in my 95 Trans Sport 3.8. Just want to see if anyone has any tricks/tips that they can pass on to me before I take this on. I have the Pontiac service manual as well as the Haynes manual and it doesn't look too difficult compared to some other vehicles I have done. Just want to see if there is anyone that can give me any advice that has done one before.

Thanks in advance

They are not bad to change out between the 2 manuals it should be fine ,don`t forget to change the T-stat .Safety note: dont mix dex-cool and ethelyn gycol as the have a violent reaction. Stick with the dex-cool ,yes it is few bucks more but worth the money .Maybe just for fun do a complete cooling system flush .
HTH

So far so good, only the clamps for the heater hoses are in a really challenging spot to get at. I don't seem to be able to get at them with a pair of channel-locks. Can anybody recommend which pair of clamp pliers I need to get to be able to get these off ? It seems like there is always one little hitch to get a job done.

C. Smith

I bought a spring clamp tool it kinda resembles a screw driver but when you twist the handle a set of jaws close holding tension on the clamp.The nice part is the center of the shaft is flexible,so it can be used in some of the funny angles needed to get the clamp off.I usually replace with a regular gear clamp ,much easier to remove in the future,if needed.

Ok.. thanks. I did an Internet search for a GM flat hose clamp type of pliers and a couple came up. Looks to me like I'm not getting these clamps off without a special tool to get in there with. I did see one with a 45 degree offset which looked pretty trick. Oh well, one more tool for my toolbox. It's always something.

C. Smith

I managed to remove and replace my heater core. Not as bad as ones I've changed on my other vehicles but still was kind of a pain in the butt. The biggest pain was removing the heater hoses and GM flat band style clamps. They are really tight against the A/C housing. I ground the head of a channel-locks down flat and was able to get right in there. I replaced the GM style spring loaded clamps with the traditional worm gear style hose clamp. Another useful tool was a 3" long 1/4 drive spring extension. I used this throughout the removal of the interior heater core housing. A swivel head socket just wouldn't cut it. The fuse box needs to be removed and moved over which wasn't mentioned in the Haynes manual. The ECM had to be loosened and moved over, as well as the vaccum control module. The dash frame had to loosened and then when you pulled the frame out about 1" it gives you just enough room to pull the core right out. And as the manual states......Installation is the reverse of removal.


I'ts Beer O' Clock and my shop is closed for the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

C. Smith