Heater Core Problems, Please, Please Help

I wrote earlier, I have a 97 windstar. I took it to the shop and they determined that the heater core is blocked, not working etc. It blows cold air. Anyway, from what I hear, nobody likes to do them, too complicated, 50 dollar part, eight hours of work, take out the whole dash etc. As you can tell, I'm very stressed about this one. Anyway, can I backflush, or have the system backflushed for 70 dollars? Will that work. I can handle a brake job, but I don't know if I can handle this. Please help. I check the hoses going into the vehicle tomorrow. Please, please help. Thanks.

T.

I wrote earlier, I have a 97 windstar. I took it to the shop and they determined that the heater core is blocked, not working etc. It blows cold air. Anyway, from what I hear, nobody likes to do them, too complicated, 50 dollar part, eight hours of work, take out the whole dash etc. As you can tell, I'm very stressed about this one. Anyway, can I backflush, or have the system backflushed for 70 dollars? Will that work. I can handle a brake job, but I don't know if I can handle this. Please help. I check the hoses going into the vehicle tomorrow. Please, please help. Thanks.

T.

You should get either the Chilton or Haynes manual for your van. I have both and while I have not done this repair myself, it appears to be about a 2-3 hour job at most. You do not have to remove the whole dash, you need to remove the bezel from the radio/hvac controls and the center instrument panel supports brackets. This should allow you to reach/remove the heater core box. Just make sure you label any vacuum lines you take off so you can re-install them correctly. Also you might have to remove the wiper cowl to be able to disconnect the heater core hoses under the hood.

You should get either the Chilton or Haynes manual for your van. I have both and while I have not done this repair myself, it appears to be about a 2-3 hour job at most. You do not have to remove the whole dash, you need to remove the bezel from the radio/hvac controls and the center instrument panel supports brackets. This should allow you to reach/remove the heater core box. Just make sure you label any vacuum lines you take off so you can re-install them correctly. Also you might have to remove the wiper cowl to be able to disconnect the heater core hoses under the hood.

I agree with RugRatt. Replacing a heater core doesn't look to be too hard (just looked at my Chiltons). Get a manual, read it, spend some time taking your van apart. After this you will be doing more repairs on your own.

Regards

Dan