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heater blows cold air, mechanics said a hose was frayed and loose, they reconnected it for free, it worked for 5 minutes. They said not worth time/money to take apart the dashboard- I'm willing to do it but don't know what I'm looking for. Can you guide me on what connection is involved? I have removed glove box/carpeting. I have previously taken apart the dash and replaced radio and heater control module- no stranger to hard work. thanks, Mary
Country: United StatesMake: SubaruModel: legacy L wagonYear: 1996 Already Tried: took out glove box/passenger side carpet and looked at it
Hello
Welcome to Just Answers, I'm Kevin and I'm here to help resolve your Automotive issue Please click the ACCEPT button when satisfied with your answer.
Did they say your heater core is clogged?
heater blows cold air, mechanics said a hose was frayed and loose, they reconnected it for free, it worked for 5 minutes.
they did not say core was clogged
I'm trying to identify where the hose goes on each end
they connect to the heater core inside the dash
what do I need to do to expose the connections. Can I assume the problem at the core end?
any visual you can give me?
It's like a small radiator that stores some of the hot coolant, the blower fan blows across the core thus picking up the hot air that is generated from the coolant in the core, if the core get's clogged then that hot coolant is limited and the heat can be limited or cool
to access the core, you would need to remove the dash assembly, then the HVAC assembly to access the core
ok which parts of the dash need to be removed to expose it- do you have any pictures you can send?
Let me check on a diagram
ok, thanks
Once the HVAC unit is out, you have to disassemble it to get at the core..here is a pic of the unit, I circled the core, you can see the 2 pipes coming out of the core that connect to the 2 hoses you see in the engine compartment.
It is a very involved task
so, right now I have glove box out and think I see bottom of heat case- do I take the dash apart around the heater control module and radio
The steering column has to come down, the center console has to come out so you can then remove the complete dash assembly, then the steering column support has to be removed, then the Heater unit assembly has to come out and disassembled as in the pic.
You will also have to evacuate the A/C system since you will have to remove the evap. assembly
sounds laborious but not rocket science. Now, I know they didn't do this at mechanic's and they did get it working for 5 minutes. Is it possible to get at the end where the hose from the heater box comes into the dash without so much work?
not really, My guess is that it was a fluke that it worked for 5 minutes , when the get clogged, there will be times when a little coolant circulates to emit some warmth. You can try pulling both hoses off the core and try flushing it out with a hose but that hardly ever works.
It's not rocket science but labor intensive and you will need to evacuate and recharge the A/C system which involves special equipment, and you will have a lot of connectors to keep track of.
what do I need to take off if trying to get at just the hose that connects at the dash end so I can see if it is a simple connection before tackling the whole thing?
you cannot access the hose from the inside without pulling it apart..the rubber hoses end at the connection under the hood at the firewall
ok, I'll give it a go. Thanks, Kevin
ok, good luck, try taking pics as you go so you can reference them later when you reassemble the dash and heater case
if you have a camera phone
I would get a new core before you take it apart as well
ok thanks
Experience: 34 years of Subaru service experience, ASE Master Technician