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  #1  
Old 01-25-2010, 07:58 PM
whtrabbitjoe77 whtrabbitjoe77 is offline
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Heater core replacement how-to

Now that I have my car on the road after having to replace the crank pulley I am getting a musty smell from the vents when the heater is on. I really cant tell its its antifreeze or old car smell. But the windows of the car will fog up after its parked. I have done some searching and I have seen some mention of a "how-to" for the heater core but the link was dead. Does anyone have a working link to this and is there any other issues I should address when I am there?

Joe
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  #2  
Old 01-26-2010, 12:32 AM
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redlightningsvx redlightningsvx is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

Does it fog up when it rains? It could be moisture from any of the seals. Mine fogs a little but from the humidity.
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94' Barcelona Red w/ Tricoat black 2-tone AWD Ls -Sold
Mods:AWD conversion/4.44 swap by Budfreak, Custom red interior lights, Custom Satin black dash, Power mode switch, Cold air intake, Permecool tranny filter,Sony xplode 10" sub, Sony xplode 1000w amp, Blitz in-line driver, DDM Tuning 6000k HID's, New paint job/body work by me, 97' Grill, QC shift kit, 17'' MB Motoring rims, 15&20 min mod, front & rear urethane swaybar bushings, Custom fiberglass sub box, Custom red led a/c control unit, perrin lightweight crank pulley, Black wrinkle finish powdercoated intake manifold w/ clear hoses , 02' outback heated/power black leather seats
Soon to come:Fiberglass hood, upholster ALL suede to black leather
Past subies:

92' Pearl White/black top LS-L-SOLD
96' Legacy Outback-TOTALED
99' Legacy Outback Limited 30th anniversary edition-TOTALED
98' Forester L -Totaled
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99' Forester S -WRX brake upgrade, soon an 04 wrx motor swap
06' B9 Tribeca-Stock
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  #3  
Old 01-26-2010, 02:43 AM
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

Quote:
Originally Posted by whtrabbitjoe77 View Post
Now that I have my car on the road after having to replace the crank pulley I am getting a musty smell from the vents when the heater is on. I really cant tell its its antifreeze or old car smell. But the windows of the car will fog up after its parked. I have done some searching and I have seen some mention of a "how-to" for the heater core but the link was dead. Does anyone have a working link to this and is there any other issues I should address when I am there?

Joe
Kia ora Joe,

Accessing the heater core involves taking one hell of a lot of stuff apart. I have been there and no the score. Believe me, you should first investigate further, in the hope that there are other options.

There could well be some sort of deposit lurking somewhere within the system. Heating and ventilating specialists run up against this sort of problem and may provide a clue or answer. It is surprising how helpful people can be and a phone call could be worthwhile.

Best of luck, Trevor.
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  #4  
Old 01-26-2010, 03:05 AM
BRugNY BRugNY is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

I have never done a heater core on an SVX but have on a few imports and like previously stated that should be a LAST resort unless you want your car off the road for good period of time. I don't know if they have a cabin air filter but that could have something to do with it. Maybe you could try blowing out your air ducts with some compressed air. It could break loose any unwanted mess in there. But the fog would indicate some moisture getting in the system from where. Hopefully its nothing too serious.
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  #5  
Old 01-26-2010, 05:00 PM
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

You can have it done in a day 1st time but it takes alot of time and patience. I've done it 2 times now on the svx (never put a used heater core in)

Here is the nightmare:



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92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting
92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles
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  #6  
Old 01-26-2010, 05:31 PM
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

Quote:
Originally Posted by immortal_suby View Post
You can have it done in a day 1st time but it takes alot of time and patience. I've done it 2 times now on the svx (never put a used heater core in)

Here is the nightmare:



HOLY ****!!! I'm getting another Trans Am. 20 minute job.
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  #7  
Old 01-26-2010, 08:46 PM
whtrabbitjoe77 whtrabbitjoe77 is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

aaaaahhh run away.. looks like fun. are there any unique clips up by the windshield like on most car and how would you get them off. Is there a interchange part that will work from another subaru, there was some mention of it in this thread but I think is was concerning the RHD cars.

Came home today and the pass side carpet of my car was wet with water not antifreeze, this could be the cause for the fogged windows when the car sits. So I removed the seats, console, and carpet to let it dry out and trace the leak.
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  #8  
Old 01-27-2010, 07:28 AM
Cam Cam is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

TRY THIS FIRST. take some simple green and water and drip a small amount down your vents (not the ones above the stereo unless you want to short out your source unit). Hopefully this takes care of your smell.

As for the humidity inside the car, it could very likely be coming from your tail lights. They are known to leak. Check for water in your trunk by your spare. You can fix the leak by sealing them into place with silicone.

Good luck.
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  #9  
Old 01-27-2010, 12:16 PM
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redlightningsvx redlightningsvx is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

If your carpet was wet with water check to see if the sunroof drain behind the kick panel is facing away from the inside of the cabin.
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Seth
94' Barcelona Red w/ Tricoat black 2-tone AWD Ls -Sold
Mods:AWD conversion/4.44 swap by Budfreak, Custom red interior lights, Custom Satin black dash, Power mode switch, Cold air intake, Permecool tranny filter,Sony xplode 10" sub, Sony xplode 1000w amp, Blitz in-line driver, DDM Tuning 6000k HID's, New paint job/body work by me, 97' Grill, QC shift kit, 17'' MB Motoring rims, 15&20 min mod, front & rear urethane swaybar bushings, Custom fiberglass sub box, Custom red led a/c control unit, perrin lightweight crank pulley, Black wrinkle finish powdercoated intake manifold w/ clear hoses , 02' outback heated/power black leather seats
Soon to come:Fiberglass hood, upholster ALL suede to black leather
Past subies:

92' Pearl White/black top LS-L-SOLD
96' Legacy Outback-TOTALED
99' Legacy Outback Limited 30th anniversary edition-TOTALED
98' Forester L -Totaled
Other toys:
99' Forester S -WRX brake upgrade, soon an 04 wrx motor swap
06' B9 Tribeca-Stock
1982' Yamaha xj650 Maxim
Mods:
work in progress
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  #10  
Old 01-27-2010, 06:00 PM
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immortal_suby immortal_suby is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

Quote:
Originally Posted by whtrabbitjoe77 View Post
are there any unique clips up by the windshield like on most car and how would you get them off..
Nothing really, just holes at the windshield and pegs on the underside of the dash that drop right into them.
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2015 BRZ Limited 6MT
92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting
92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles
19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !.
89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P.
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  #11  
Old 01-27-2010, 06:31 PM
whtrabbitjoe77 whtrabbitjoe77 is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

I did not think of simple green to get rid of the musty smell in the car great idea. Some time over the weekend if there is not a lot of snow I am going to check the drains and water shields for the rear windows b/c the rear seat foam was wet also. If I replace the heater core I might take some photos and make a write up then.
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  #12  
Old 01-27-2010, 06:35 PM
Cam Cam is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

The tail lights are very easy to check. You have 2 access panels in the trunk directly in front of your tail lights. Remove them and check for moisture around the holes for the lights.

If there is moisture back here you will need to seal your tail lights with silicone. If the car was parked on a hill with the front facing downhill it could explain your wet seat, i suppose. But that could be an unrelated problem.
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'92 Ls-L Dark Teal
11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons
ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams
ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU
Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors
Balanced & Blueprinted
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  #13  
Old 01-29-2010, 05:25 PM
whtrabbitjoe77 whtrabbitjoe77 is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

Is there a write-up on sealing the tail lights , do they need to be removed? i think i have some black strip caulk in my roll-away to seal them.
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  #14  
Old 01-29-2010, 08:52 PM
Cam Cam is offline
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Re: Heater core replacement how-to

Try the search button. There is not a write-up to my knowledge, but that does not mean it doesn't exist. It is fairly simple though. You just want to seal anything that can let moisture in. But don't do the drain paths. If water just sits there it will possobly corrode the structure.

I recommend silicone, but if it seems like what you have will work, go for it.

Too much silicone can make it difficult to remove the lights later.
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'92 Ls-L Dark Teal
11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons
ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams
ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU
Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors
Balanced & Blueprinted
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