Kris Hansen

after a banner run of not having to do anything on this car, it needs some more TLC.. Replaced the A/C compressor last month, now I discovered that it's got an alignment issue, as well as a pulsing brake pedal... Those are all relatively easy to fix - new front brakes, tie rod ends, rear tie rod on the left, one or two control arms.. No problem.

But the real chore will be getting to do another heater core in the car. Yes, another. Seems the one I put in 5 or 6 years ago just wasn't a lifetime part. =) Truth be told, I never really had a warm fuzzy feeling about it. IT always had a coolant smell, even years after replacing, and the windows always fogged up when it was really cold.

So, I get to read my own writeup, and hopefully get it done in even less time than before.

mtroxel

You're not a man till you've done a dashboard. Not sure what it makes you when you do it twice. I used your write up to do my 96 laser red.

Oh, and a smart guy like you is going to swap the evaporator while he's in there isn't he?

99.5a4JRB

How did it go?

Kris Hansen

It actually went very well. I took extra care when mounting the HVAC box so that the in/out pipes on the heater core were under no strain at all. It took a good bleed, doesn't leak, and makes great heat.

Kris Hansen

A few photos from the carnage...

mtroxel

That is an ugly heater core Kris. Here's what you get when you buy an Avant from a guy who let the cooling system freeze in Minnesota.

nooB5

Kris it seems you and I were doing the same wrenching during the same weekend! I changed the heater core out on my old b5 2.8 with my brother who now owns the car. It was my second heater core replacement in as many months (replaced the heater core in the 90Q as well).
Having your DIY handy made the job go quite smoothly this past weekend!