i need heat

[dak2007]

I NEED HEAT

:help help ok here's the problem I bought a 1991 240sx for like 900. which means basically it's a piece. it has like 186k miles. i have replaced the water pump, radiator, plugs, wires, fuel filter, battery, and a couple more things. the heat doesn't work and i have to replace the heater core. from the dealership the part is goin to be 150 and some change. could i get the part cheaper and how hard is this goin to be to change? :help

[IvoryJ30t]

its gonna be kinda a ***** to change, and how are you sure its the heater core?

[IvoryJ30t]

some cars have a vacuum operated valve on the heater core plumbing, or maybe the air control door is jammed...

[dak2007]

i'm pretty sure it's the heater core. i've had several people tell me it's the heater core. plus when i turn on the heat all that comes out is cold air.

[IvoryJ30t]

when the motor is warm, and the heat is on, are the heater core's plumbing hot [under hood]? if yes, are you certain the door is opening the passage from the core?

[dak2007]

i'm not too good with cars i have no idea where the heater core's plumbing is i'm sorry if this makes me sound dumb but i'm just learning

[IvoryJ30t]

hold on, i just typed out this whole long thing and accidentally deleted it, gimme a few more minutes

[IvoryJ30t]

ok, under the hood there are two rubber hoses that go to the firewall [the firewall is the plate of metal at the very back of the engine compartment, that seperates the motor from the passenger compartment]

those hoses look exactly like the radiator hoses, but smaller.

you see, the heat in a car is made by the hot engine coolant. thats why you dont get heat untill the engine warms up. the heater core is just a miniature radiator that heats the air in the passenger compartment.

warm the car up to normal temperature, then put the heat on full blast. feel if the heater core hoses are warm/hot. if yes, then you have to check if the air control door is operating.

when you switch from "cold" air to "hot" air, you should hear the door clunk. if it doesnt, that could be the culprit. the dash needs to be disassembled inorder to access it.

[dak2007]

now that you say that i know what hoses you are talking about know. the guy i bought the car from new the heat wasn't working and bypassed the heater core he said it was leaking antifreeze into the car. i will try that though. but either way i'm goin to have to rip apart the dash to fix the problem? how hard is that to do? for a beginner should i get someone with more experience to help me?

[IvoryJ30t]

you see, that explains it all. you should have said that it was leaking in the first place. thats just about the only reason heater cores need to be replaced.

replace the heater core, and reconnect the lines.

[IvoryJ30t]

and yes, its gonna go alot easier with a service manual and patience, or someone who know there way around a car pretty well.

[dak2007]

thank you i'm sorry for not telling you that to begin with. well i'm gone. thanks for the help. i'm sure i'll have a lot more questions later

[bvanev]

The dash is very easy to remove on the s13 it is something like a total of 10 bolts/screws. I reccomend dropping the steering column to make it easier to remove the instrument cluster. Take your time with the defrost vents for the front windshield, after many years of sitting in the sun they can become brittle. The heater core is still kind of a pain to remove from the car, even with the dash out, just take your time. Make sure not to damage the vent runs when you reinstall the dash, it can be a bit tricky to get them all to line up to the vents again. Good luck.