Heater core replacement questions?

[240m3srt]

Hey guys. I searched and found some good info, but i still dont feel fully prepared for the task of changing my heater core which i believe is leaking. I think this is the case because shortly after replacing my radiator as normal maintenance my heater is now only luke warm and there is a coolant smell from the vents. When you turn the window defroster on it fogs out the entire inside of the window to where you have to pull off the road and clean what i believe to be "coolant mist". Lastly, there is coolant slowly dripping onto the exhaust pipe from some place behind the firewall i cannot see. Does that sound like the heater core? Assuming yes i have the following questions.

I dont understand what the difference is between the front and rear heater core, i thought there was only one so thats what i ordered from Toyota. I know i dont have HVAC going to the second row so what am i missing here?

Also, are there any related components i should be prepared to replace when i have the dash out. You know...things that you say to your self "darn i should have picked up one of those to replace while i was in here"?

This is my daily driver btw. So if i cant get this all done in one day and the dash is in pieces will the vehicle still function(i know thats ghetto but still)?

I am really dreading this job. So i just want to be well prepared and for this to go as smoothly as possible...famous last words lol. Any advice/info is appreciated. Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

 

[240m3srt]

Has anyone had this same issue, or replaced a heater core on one of these trucks and maybe can give me some pointers?

 

[nissanh]

There are two heater cores. One inside the dash for the front and one right under the front passenger seat blowing air to the rear seats.

Check you get coolant from the AC drain line located in the passenger side firewell. It is like a 90 degrees bend rubber hose about an inch long.

See the following thread. Go to the 4th reply for complete pictures.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/124887-heater-core-removal.html

Patience and time is what you need.

Let me know if you need any help.

 

[240m3srt]

There are two heater cores. One inside the dash for the front and one right under the front passenger seat blowing air to the rear seats.

Check you get coolant from the AC drain line located in the passenger side firewell. It is like a 90 degrees bend rubber hose about an inch long.

See the following thread. Go to the 4th reply for complete pictures.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/124887-heater-core-removal.html

Patience and time is what you need.

Let me know if you need any help.

Thanks for the link that thread will help no doubt. Today (Christmas) is the first time is has dropped below freezing plus it snowed here on the same day. Its no longer just an inconvenience i actually cant drive. Made it less than 2 miles with windshield wipers running before the window froze over completely to where i couldnt see at all. An ice scraper can only do so much. My heater core came in at Toyota i just need to get up there to pick it up.

 

[nissanh]

Don't know whether you are aware about our potential meeting in DFW area on January 1st.

 

[audiness]

Definitely check the small heater core under the passenger seat first, its a LOT easier to get to than the one in the dash!!!!!

 

[240m3srt]

Don't know whether you are aware about our potential meeting in DFW area on January 1st.

Actually no, who is meeting and where??

 

[240m3srt]

Definitely check the small heater core under the passenger seat first, its a LOT easier to get to than the one in the dash!!!!!

Audiness, thanks for the heads up unfortunately it wasnt that one LOL. Actually my truck didnt come equipped with a rear heater.

 

[nissanh]

Actually no, who is meeting and where??

We are meeting on January 1st for dinner in Fort Worth. We still have to finalize a place to meet and greet... If you know a place, let us know.

 

[robb1887]

Did replacing the core fix your issue? Did you take a laser thermometer to the supply/discharge piping on the firewall in the engine bay?

The reason I ask is I have NO heat coming from my vents (front or rear, 97 limited).

I have replaced the valve on the firewall hoping it was just bad (didnt help)
burped air out of the system (didnt help)

When I bought my truck the cooling system wasnt working well, and ended up having to replace my radiator. I figure the cores are clogged. The "blend" door I can hear moving, and I pyrometered the supply (~160 *F) and discharge (~120 *F) so I'm really believeing that the heater cores are just shot.

But wanted to make sure before I drop 120+ on two new cores.

Thanks.

EDIT: Just pulled the trigger since I would get "warm" air when shifted to free flow and NO warm air on recirc. My issue was definitely the cores. replaced yesterday and have heat again. Took ~8 hours to do front AND rear with the assistance of my girlfriend (NOT mechanically inclined). She might not have been familiar with everything, but an extra set of hands EASILY saved hours of headache and lots of cursing.