Beretta.net

My beretta is a '94 Z26.  Not that the model makes a difference, but I still need help on the subject matter.  I have already exsposed the core, atleast, half way.  (The large black peice of plastic covering the core is only unscrewed.)

As most of your that have replaced the core know, there is absolutly no room to work.  Is this something that I should just "grin and bear it"?, or does someone know of a painless way?  

Any help is appreciated.

I did mine a few months ago and the whole process was a pain in the ###.  If you end up replacing the hoses that go to the core just cut them off is my recommendation.  I tried for hours to salvage them, but they are really stuck on the pipes good.  BTW, one of the hoses must be purchased at the dealer because it starts at one size and gets smaller at the other end.  As far as roominess under there, there really isn't any room to work with.  I heard if you remove your whole center console it frees up alot of room and makes the job easier, but I just left mine in so I am not sure how much easier it makes the process.  Good Luck

That's kinda what I thought.  My father, back in the day, replaced his heater core out of his Cougar XR-7, or whatever the 1980's version was.  He said it took several hours, even up to 5, and a couple of busted knuckles later...

But thanks for the feedback.

remove the console, radio, heater controls, slide frt seats all the way back, take out floor mats, and you should be in and out in under 90minutes--I have it down to a science--in and out in under 60minutes

I am a big guy I pull my front passenger seat as well.   I would recommend aftermarket heater core, but get GM's hoses.    The GM heater core has plastic sides.  Their hoses FIT WELL and are not much more if more at all than most discounted parts stores.

I haven't really posted anything lately; I fixed the heater core and drove to PA.  (Right now I'm in GA.)  

The only problem I ran into was the hole sizes in the firewall I.R.T. the heater core tubes: GM original v.s. aftermarket.  I had to use a pocket knife to make the holes larger.  But other than that, everything went well.

Oh yeah,....   While on my vacation to PA, the freakin' water pump went.  Now that was fun!  She has 135,xxx on her the way it is.  I guess it's expected for things to start going and in need of replacement.  But hey!  That's half the fun!

would the windshield fogging up when you start the car be caused due to a leaking heater core?

Also when I first turn on the heater/vent on warm I smell a slight sweat smell. Is this the ethylene glycol due to a leaking core? It's always done this for over the 2 years I've had the car and hasn't gotten worse though...

My 94 3100 has 130,000 on it too. Expect to replace the thermostat soon too (it's a pain in the ### too, the exhaust manifold is in the way). Oh and my radiator went at about 115,000 miles. It was leaking where the transmision line's run through it to cool the trans oil, and sending transmision oil into my coolant!! Oh and check your transmision line hoses, mine were leaking. I replaced them with hydrualic pressure hoses and used 2 screw clamps in opposed directions to put them on the stock fittings (use a copper pipe cutter to cut off the fittings where they were crimped over the original hoses, then slide the replacement hoses over them and clamp them down) Otherwise you have to buy the hoses from a dealership as it's not an aftermarket part.

Oh and your powersteering hoses may be leaking a tad. Mine are but not bad enough for me to mess with right now
And if your lower intake manifold gasket goes, just PM' me and I can email you document I typed up that helps explain the procedure.