Replacing ST185 heater core - Anybody done this ?

As subject states, I am in middle of replacing my heater core.
This is not even remotely covered in the BGB and now that I am
started looks like the most hideous job I have undertaken on this car
(and I have done everything to this car but rebuild the tranny).

Has anyone done this and have any hints. Removing the box containing
the heater core appears to be a bear. I have all the trim removed, the
metal side supports removed, airbag computer and dashpad are still
in and I am hoping that I dont have to remove them ....

TIA
 

daveryan

Member
Could have sworn there was a write-up on celicatech, but I can't find it. Here's a little outline I found on google groups from an Alltrac owner that might be of some help...

The secret is this, if it (heater matrix box) dosn't come out EASILY then
you havn't undone enought bolts n nuts. I did the following.

Removed Gear knob.
Removed Gaiter covers.
removed stereo facia/cupholder/ashtray thingy.
removed arm box thingy in middle (screws actually under tape holder)
removed centre column.
removed door trims that says celica
removed panel below steering wheel
removed glove box
remove middle vent with clock (just pops out)
You do not have to remove the climate control panel.

Now you will see 3 white boxes on passenger side to remove two of these you
will have to unfortunatly ungas aircon and then undo pipes from engine bay,
there are two pipes for heater matrix and two pipes for aircon.

When pipes from engine bay undone i then removed the two metal brakets that
the stereo screwed into they also act as supports for dash.
Remove ECU also.
Now you have to remove the middle white box (air con unit) and the right
hand white box (heater matrix). these are held in by about 9 bolts and there
is one behind the clock holding in the heater matrix which is a BITCH to get
to, its not exactly behind clock but its to the right behind the cable that
turns the tempreture up. You also have to detach a small rod that is on a
control wheel on the right hand side of the right box by uncliping it. These
white boxes WILL come out VERY easily if you have undone all the bolts and
nuts, if they DO NOT come out you have not undone all the bolts OR the pipes
are having trouble going through the firewall.
You do not have to open the white boxes ever so don't undo the little screws
that hold them togheter or the clips, leave them on.
Remove air con box first then the heater matrix one. You will see when you
have heater matrix box that you undo a holding screw on top of the pipes and
it slides right out.
 
Thanks, Looks like this is going to be fun (not). I will attempt to
take pictures of bolt locations if I can. Wasnt planning on pulling
the AC system, but it is empty so no biggie ...
 
Well I got it out. Some caveats on the copied text from other list,
I didnt have to remove any levers (unless I broke one off but I
dont think so). The hardest nut to get is NOT on the heater core box,
but is on the AC box hidden by a wire loom. You need to unbolt the
AC and fan motor (middle) box and remove them together. When you
remove the heater core box you slide it over to space that was vacated
by blower motor and AC boxes. I removed the computer and unhooked
the airbag computer (but left connections alone) because I tried to pull
it straight out rather then slide it over. I think you could leave both alone
The heater core wont hang up on them if you slide it over first. This thing
is going to be a real bitch to put back in without screwing up the copper
tubes threw the firewall. Had to unhook about 7-8 connectors also, slide
3 connectors off the boxes, etc ....

I took about 15 pictures of the entire thing so if in future someone gets hung
up I can send some pics :D
 

rightrac

New member
a good write up on this would be great. when i was relocating my battery to the trunk i wanted to remove the AC tubes that go through the firewall( i removed my AC) and run my cable through that gromet. i took one look at removing that whole mess and deciding against it. nice job getting it out and good luck going back in.
 

2of81

New member
This job sucked big time on my 88 toyota pickup, I can't imagine it being any easier on the All-Trac. You should post a pic of everything all the way apart!
 
Justin,
If you want to post them I can send them, I have about 15 pictures
of it. I couldnt believe how much space the 3 boxes take, they are
huge. I do have a picture of under the dash with all the boxes out.

And yes, this was a huge PITA to get them out. I have the entire interior
out and I was still hanging my legs out the doors, etc ... It is one of the
crappiest alltrac jobs, at least it didnt have rusted bolts that snapped.
 
Would you mind sending those pics my way? My heater has been very weak all winter, and I am finally going to get some time here soon to pull the core and replace it. It would be a great help to see some pics of what has to be done in addition to the instructions posted above.
 

2of81

New member
I just wanted to see the total mess of everything out. This is a job that is very scarry to me, if the wrong person does it and everything doesn't go back together 100% the dash will be viberating like a Ford product.
 
Justin, I do have pictures of it out, could take pictures of
individual boxes also.

I didnt take out any of the boxes to the vents so hopefully it will
fit back together the way it came out ! Guess I will have to concentrate
on getting my stereo to work so I dont hear the dash rattles :D
 

shoteh

New member
I would also like to see pix. Anything would be helpful because I might have to do this as well because I've been getting nasty mildew type smells coming from the vents and I assume it's my heater core being old :shrug: what are other symptoms of HC going out?

After reading that list of instructions, I think I might need a good rest and a few aspirins before I would ever start that project. Any ideas how much a local shop would do it for?

-where did you buy your new one?

thanks
 
Again PM me with your email and I can send pics

Some bad news from this, the brass tubes going thru the firewall (and
which are clamped to the heater core tube with O-rings) are NOT available
from Toyota (they are not even in the EPC). If you are leaking from here
you have to buy the entire box at the highest part price I have ever seen
from Toyota (minus the engine shortblock) at 1100+ discount.
 

Empiremen

New member
This is a long shot but I'm gonna try... Does anybody have pictures or diagram for the bolt of the heater core? The heater box don't move that much and I have a feeling that I'm missing a bolt or two. Thanks
 

lalojamesliz1

New member
Holly thread revival Batman! 11 yrs! Lol
I'd love some pictures as well. I get paranoid about having critical components like this that are 26 yrs old and counting....
 

Empiremen

New member
Yeah lol, I saw the date and laugh but I'm too desperate. STILL BoostedBlueToyotas is still an active member so maybe, just maybe he still have some pictures.
 

lalojamesliz1

New member
Hey, at least your searching instead of just starting a new thread.
I can't imagine how many really good informative threads exist and are just buried behind threads that just were started because someone didn't search.
The only thing I hate about old threads is the pictures are usually gone
 
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