How to Remove the Heater Core in a '98 Ford Taurus

The heater core on the 1998 Taurus is contained within the heater housing, which is installed behind the instrument panel. Removing the panel is necessary for removing the heater core, and this is a complex task. You will need to remove the heater core for replacement if you are certain the core is not working, which often is indicated by leaking coolant and a sweet smell coming from the vents.

Instructions

Have your car's air-conditioning system discharged; this is a high-risk task because of the environmental implications and can only be legally performed by a licensed technician from the dealer repair shop or air-conditioner shop.

Drain the engine coolant at the radiator, removing the drain fitting and letting it pour into a large container.

Disconnect the negative battery cable and then the positive one. Wait 2 minutes, then pry out the trim covers at the back of the steering wheel, remove the nuts behind them with a wrench, and lift off the air bag.

Pry out and remove the cup holder from the center console, open the ashtray, and move the gear shift to its lowest position. Pull the console away from the dash to disengage its clips, and remove all the screws and bolts to remove the console.

Insert special U-shaped removal tools into the holes along the sides of the heater/air-conditioner assembly, and pull out the console. Disconnect the electrical connectors, temperature cable and vacuum harness. Unscrew and unclip the assembly finish panel behind it.

Remove the radio/integrated control panel using the same U-shaped tools, then unscrew and remove the instrument cluster's trim panel with your screwdriver. Tilt the steering wheel down, remove the cluster's screws, and disconnect its wires/cables to remove it.

Pry down on the push-in fasteners on the plastic panel on the passenger-side dash underside, and remove the panel. Unscrew the glove box at the bottom, open it, squeeze out the limit pins on the sides, and remove it.

Unscrew, separate and remove the steering column trim covers with your screwdriver, and disconnect the electrical connectors in the column.

Remove the steering wheel's bolt with a wrench and large Torx socket, then connect a steering wheel puller and remove the wheel. Remove the steering column's U-joint pinch bolt and four nuts, lower the column, and slide it off the shaft.

Disconnect all electrical connectors in and near the instrument panel and all trim panels, including the ones at the left and right ends -- you'll need to open the doors for these.

Remove all of the instrument panel's screws, and lift the panel out of the car.

Disconnect the heater hoses where they connect at the firewall, loosening their clamps with pliers.

Unscrew and remove the square-shaped blend door actuator from the evaporator housing, disconnecting its electrical connector.

Disconnect the spring on the heater core cover with a small screwdriver, then depress the locking ramp on the short lever to disconnect it from the temperature control door shaft. Rotate the door shaft downward, and remove the metal link at its lower end.

Remove the heater core's three screws with your screwdriver, lift up the lever, and remove the cover.

Remove the heater core from the housing. Remove the foam seal from the core, as you need to transfer it to the new core.