HELP! I need to replace the Heater Core on my Audi 100!

[DanA100]

I need instructions and tips...as many as you can give me. I've done this same job on Audi 5000 before and it was ugly - 5 hour job. How different is Audi 100 when it comes to heating system? Any tips? It looks complicated...too complicated. I have the Bentley (which is for sale) but i'm not sure if they have a step by step procedure. Where to start??? I know that i need to remove the hood, but what next? I ordered the part already. Any help will be very appreciated. Thanks!

[metalv8]

remove the wiper arms, raingaurd and possible the wiper motor (you can work around it but it's a pain) then you wanna loosen the strap the holds down the blower motor/heater core box (dead center against firewall) remove all vacuum lines and electrical i.e. blower motore power etc. After removing metal strap that goes across the center horizontally (one phillips head) remove the send and return lines for the heater core ( i think there on the drivers side) check for anything else attached I may have forgotten and start wiggling the whole unit as to break it free from the plumbing inside the vehicle, some say you need to pull you inside knee panels etc so pull the interior air hoses off the blower/core unit but i've found this to be more time consuming however you do need acces when you put it back in. Anyway, wiggle it out CAREFULLY especially in this weather! once out pull out the fan again CAREFULLY! then you should be able to split the unit into two pieces and the core should be accesable/replaceable. Good luck, fella's correct me if/where i'm wrong....

[DanA100]

Very helpful...thank you!!
Your directions match the Bentley "step-by-step" and this makes me feel better - it doesn;t sound as complicated as it was on the 5k.
Anyway,...i'm also wondering if i'll have to do any work from the inside of the car in order to remove the heater unit. That's the part that scares me - i hate taking the interior of my car apart. Sounds like you managed to pull out the heater unit without any work form the inside of the car...just like Bentley suggest. Hopefully i can do it too on my Audi 100 - this will save me hours.

Thanks.

[rooster 2]

check the "search" mode on this type 44 forum. You will see a boat load of information on the "how to." I know that I have posted 2 or 3 times about how I have gone about this job. Many other previous good postings are there as well.........Rooster

[DanA100]

I've done the work on Audi 5000 but since my Audi 100 is all different inside...i was wondering if i should go thru the same process and etc. I was hoping that it would be easier and according to metalv8, it is somewhat simplified on the 100/200.
I wanted to hear some feedback from 100/200 owners but the search option doesn't let me sort that precise.

[DanA100]

Yap! I followed metalv8's directions and in less than 2 hours i was able to pull the heater box outside of the car, with no damage.
Now i need to get the new heater core, install it and put the heater box back in. Looks like i'll have to work from the inside this time to install the air ducts correctly. Hopefully its not too hard. Overal, removing the heater box from Audi 100 turned out to be much easier than doing the job on Audi 5k. Now i can compare.

well....half of the job is done at least.

[jimweisptd]