So I decided to get brave over the weekend, and finally replace the heater core that's been leaking (slightly) for a year or so now. This is probably the least-favorite fix to perform on this car. I've done it twice before (one day apart - thanks for the bad part, Checker..) about 12 years ago. This being my winter car, I don't drive it as often, so I've been putting it off. but I like heat and a fog-free windshield as much as the next guy, so I dug in.
I did make a discovery while I had everything apart. As it turns out, the flaps that mix the air for the defrosters, and the dash, are just hinged by flexing thin plastic, rivited to the inside of the box. Needless to say, these had both broken, and stuck in the "mostly closed" position. Which explains why I haven't had much airflow the last couple years, but could always hear the actuators operating. I simply removed both doors, and threw them away.
I should have taken a photo of this, but forgot. The end result is that now I get very good airflow, but can only select between "floor," "dash and defrost," or "everything" Not all bad, really, considering if I want just defrost, I can close all four dash-vents.
I figured I'd post some quick photos of the project for all to see. it's a serious pain to get at the air box. In the first photo, it hasn't quite been removed yet. (it's the large, white and black plastic bit visible on the passenger side) After that, we have the "pile of parts" and the completed, reassembled dashboard, in all of it's 80's digital glory.
Enjoy!
I did make a discovery while I had everything apart. As it turns out, the flaps that mix the air for the defrosters, and the dash, are just hinged by flexing thin plastic, rivited to the inside of the box. Needless to say, these had both broken, and stuck in the "mostly closed" position. Which explains why I haven't had much airflow the last couple years, but could always hear the actuators operating. I simply removed both doors, and threw them away.
I should have taken a photo of this, but forgot. The end result is that now I get very good airflow, but can only select between "floor," "dash and defrost," or "everything" Not all bad, really, considering if I want just defrost, I can close all four dash-vents.
I figured I'd post some quick photos of the project for all to see. it's a serious pain to get at the air box. In the first photo, it hasn't quite been removed yet. (it's the large, white and black plastic bit visible on the passenger side) After that, we have the "pile of parts" and the completed, reassembled dashboard, in all of it's 80's digital glory.
Enjoy!
