How difficult is it to replace my leaking heater core in my 1996 Sonoma? It is a Vortec V6. Does the entire dash have to come out? Can these heater cores be repaired or better to just replace it? Also can i get the two oil cooler lines that go from the oil filter block to the radiator at an auto parts store other than the dealer? Thanks.
1996 Sonoma heater core leaking...
- Thread starter gunnjb
- Start date
Molson02536
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Yes your have to remove the dash to replace the Heater core and there cheap enough that better to replace then to fix.
The cooler lines can also me bought at a auto parts store or you can try repair it your self for a better fix then replacing it. http://gmcowners.com/gmc-forum/showthread.php?t=16325
Good luck and keep us posted.
epiphaknee
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RE: Remote Oil Filter Hoses
The remote oil cooler hoses are infamous for failing, at the worst possible time (very cold winters - LOL). You can buy them at Napa or Rockauto.
Do yourself a favor and purchase Dorman hoses, they have a lifetime warranty and then you will only have to purchase them ONCE.
The short one is very easy to replace. The long one is a bit more challenging as you have to snake it between the engine, transmission and frame. LOL
The remote oil cooler hoses are infamous for failing, at the worst possible time (very cold winters - LOL). You can buy them at Napa or Rockauto.
Do yourself a favor and purchase Dorman hoses, they have a lifetime warranty and then you will only have to purchase them ONCE.
The short one is very easy to replace. The long one is a bit more challenging as you have to snake it between the engine, transmission and frame. LOL
some steps...
tools needed:
small pocket screw driver (for removing wire connectors)
torx socket/screw driver set (t10-t30)
15mm deep well socket
6" 3/8 drv extension
3/8 drv ratchet
1/4drv ratchet
1/4drv 3"-6" extensions
1/4drv 9/32 or 7mm deep well socket
1/4drv 5/16 or 8mm deep well socket
screwdriver
phillips screwdriver
a short handle hammer
needle nose pliers
standard pliers
maybe - small prybar
step1 - remove the following: defront vent(careful.., it snaps in and will break easily) / speaker covers(two torx screws-then slide then toward rear of truck) / both kick panels(clips in) / both winshield post panels(clips in) /(a maybe) floor shift console (if it aftermarket and buched up close to dash)
remove lower dash cover (from under column to hush cover)
step2- driver side - unclip big yellow wire near column(SRS-airbag) USE 9/32 or 5/16 SOCKET-unscrew bolt in center of wiring block for steering column | then use 9/32 to remove screw holding the block to dash (it a extra precaution) | then use 10mm socket to get to the bolts that are bolted almost straight up near dash corner holder pins....(feel up in bottom corners of dash.., or near there.., you'll find them) | remove torx screw holding center hvac box hush cover - (it screws straight in towards passenger side)
step3- passenger side | remove BCM to get it out of your way... | unscrew bolt in center of dash harness connector block | unnconnect all connector blocks near kick panel | if see the attenae connector ner there, unhook it and unconnect attenae | remove the screw on side of hvac hush cover here as well..
step4 - driver side again...get 15mm socket/ratchet/6in extension unbolt the (4) nuts holding steering column. | If wished to make it extremely simple.., use white marking pen on base of column-flex joint(mark both shaft and joint in one line) then use 15mm socket there and remove the nut there and then push bolt thru - use something to tap on joint while someone pulls out on column. | now remove all screws across top of dash near windshield. leave the center screw in for now...
step5 - get friend over to help on this... remove center screw and tilt dash back | have friend hold it to make sure it doesnt tilt too far back as to destroy certain hvac lines and any other wire connections | in center on backside.. hvac vent lines are snapped together in a plug-in block...seperate them. | tilt dash more towards rear...slowly as to not rip/break anything | whatever you could not get to to unplug or unscrew, do it now. reach behind dash and get it done. On some strange models.., I have found ground straps back there.., make sure to unscrew them (never under stood why on a plastic dash...really wierd) | unhook/unconnect wires near column support or above it that are connected to dash or dash harness now... | if dash is tilted as far back as can be make sure no connections are left from dash to firewall.... lift up dash and pull outwards at a 60degree angle and put it outside truck for easy re-install. | the big black cover in middle to passenger side is the cover for heater core. 4 screws hold cover on. Cover can be removed but it will take a little tinkering to get it to come out without breaking | remove them now. | open hood | remove the clamps holding the hoses to heater core and then remove hoses. if any clapms or brakets are there that are bracing the two pipes together with a screw..., remove it now. | go back inside and remove the 4 small screws that are holding the core braces over the heater core. remove the heater core.
tools needed:
small pocket screw driver (for removing wire connectors)
torx socket/screw driver set (t10-t30)
15mm deep well socket
6" 3/8 drv extension
3/8 drv ratchet
1/4drv ratchet
1/4drv 3"-6" extensions
1/4drv 9/32 or 7mm deep well socket
1/4drv 5/16 or 8mm deep well socket
screwdriver
phillips screwdriver
a short handle hammer
needle nose pliers
standard pliers
maybe - small prybar
step1 - remove the following: defront vent(careful.., it snaps in and will break easily) / speaker covers(two torx screws-then slide then toward rear of truck) / both kick panels(clips in) / both winshield post panels(clips in) /(a maybe) floor shift console (if it aftermarket and buched up close to dash)
remove lower dash cover (from under column to hush cover)
step2- driver side - unclip big yellow wire near column(SRS-airbag) USE 9/32 or 5/16 SOCKET-unscrew bolt in center of wiring block for steering column | then use 9/32 to remove screw holding the block to dash (it a extra precaution) | then use 10mm socket to get to the bolts that are bolted almost straight up near dash corner holder pins....(feel up in bottom corners of dash.., or near there.., you'll find them) | remove torx screw holding center hvac box hush cover - (it screws straight in towards passenger side)
step3- passenger side | remove BCM to get it out of your way... | unscrew bolt in center of dash harness connector block | unnconnect all connector blocks near kick panel | if see the attenae connector ner there, unhook it and unconnect attenae | remove the screw on side of hvac hush cover here as well..
step4 - driver side again...get 15mm socket/ratchet/6in extension unbolt the (4) nuts holding steering column. | If wished to make it extremely simple.., use white marking pen on base of column-flex joint(mark both shaft and joint in one line) then use 15mm socket there and remove the nut there and then push bolt thru - use something to tap on joint while someone pulls out on column. | now remove all screws across top of dash near windshield. leave the center screw in for now...
step5 - get friend over to help on this... remove center screw and tilt dash back | have friend hold it to make sure it doesnt tilt too far back as to destroy certain hvac lines and any other wire connections | in center on backside.. hvac vent lines are snapped together in a plug-in block...seperate them. | tilt dash more towards rear...slowly as to not rip/break anything | whatever you could not get to to unplug or unscrew, do it now. reach behind dash and get it done. On some strange models.., I have found ground straps back there.., make sure to unscrew them (never under stood why on a plastic dash...really wierd) | unhook/unconnect wires near column support or above it that are connected to dash or dash harness now... | if dash is tilted as far back as can be make sure no connections are left from dash to firewall.... lift up dash and pull outwards at a 60degree angle and put it outside truck for easy re-install. | the big black cover in middle to passenger side is the cover for heater core. 4 screws hold cover on. Cover can be removed but it will take a little tinkering to get it to come out without breaking | remove them now. | open hood | remove the clamps holding the hoses to heater core and then remove hoses. if any clapms or brakets are there that are bracing the two pipes together with a screw..., remove it now. | go back inside and remove the 4 small screws that are holding the core braces over the heater core. remove the heater core.