I got coolant smell in cabin, water sounds on revving up and and drip from heater box vent tube on firewall so I'm pretty sure I got a heater core replacement ahead of me. Two questions came up when I started researching this for my older Monte (I say older 'cause I also got a 03 SS recently and it's a beautiful thing, WOO HOO!!)

Questions -

1. What if anything does A/C have to do with replacing the heater core? My mechanic says A/C system will need evacuated and re-charged. When I told him my A/C isn't working right now anyway he says he can knock that off the list of work to do. WTF? How are the two linked - if at all?

2. Some replacement heater cores on-line specify manual temperature control and some say automatic temperature control. Some others don't specifiy anything at all in regards to temp control. All I have is the standard sliding **** for driver and passenger side heat/cool. Is there some real difference in the heater cores that one kind won't work? Or can I just buy one and start busting my knuckles?

Thanks!
gw

 

Rats!! Nobody knows this heater core stuff?

 

wish i had some info for ya man, but thankfully i've never had to replace mine. all i know is that it lives behind the dash somewhere and its a PITA to get to.

hopefully one of the other 5th genners on here can shed some light on this for ya

 

Thanks, Skylark. I thought maybe I was invisible. 'Preciate your response

 

I actually just replaced the heater core in my 04 SS. I don't know if it is similar to the 98 but I can tell you you will be removing the center counsle, seats, and possibly the carpet. It was located underneath the center of the dash and has maybe 1-2 covers over it. Took me about 2 hours plus some because I steam cleaned the carpet and everything while I had it out.