Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer?

On May 14, 3:05 pm, "Mike Marlow" wrote:
> wrote in message
>
>
>
> thanks Mike - I have looked at a couple websites w pics and they have
> the entire dash pulled apart.........
>
> *********************************************************************
>
> I saw some pics like that too.  The last one I did was a couple of months
> ago and I certainly did not pull the entire dash.  This was a 94 Olds
> Bravada, which is essentially a Blazer.  Took off the trim covers under the
> dash, but left the dash fully intact.
>
> --
>
> -Mike-
> mmarlowREM....TakeThisOut@alltel.net

Maybe I will pull this thing apart a bit before i take it to the shop
then..............I just had half the bottom apart a few weeks ago to
replace a flasher bulb and it wasnt THAT scary,,,,
Thanks again Mike!
 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

wrote in message

> Heater core is out in my 95 Blazer, local shop (whom I use and trust)
> quoted around 800.00. 100.00 for the core, 700.00 for labor. I'm not
> the most mechanically inclined person in the world but damn thats a
> lotta money - should I just bite the bullet and have them do it? Any
> special tools involved? Tearing the dash apart doesnt scare me as much
> as the under the hood part....
>

That does seem high to me Don, but bear in mind that the price probably
includes more than just replacing the heater core. I would not be surprised
if it included a coolant system flush. Time to replace the heater core
should be under two hours. There are no special tools involved, but if
you're not the most mechanically minded person, then use your own best
judgment as to whether you should tear into it or not. You'll spend some
time on your belly and on your back, on the floor boards of your vehicle,
and you'll probably invent a couple of new words along the way. All in all,
it's not one of the nastier jobs, but it's a job. The under the hood part
is a walk in the park. Get yourself a Haynes manual from any auto parts
store, and you can look at the process in it. You'll see what's involved,
and then you can decide from there.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE.DeleteThis@alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

wrote in message


thanks Mike - I have looked at a couple websites w pics and they have
the entire dash pulled apart.........

*********************************************************************

I saw some pics like that too. The last one I did was a couple of months
ago and I certainly did not pull the entire dash. This was a 94 Olds
Bravada, which is essentially a Blazer. Took off the trim covers under the
dash, but left the dash fully intact.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE DeleteThis @alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

wrote in message

> Heater core is out in my 95 Blazer, local shop (whom I use and trust)
> quoted around 800.00. 100.00 for the core, 700.00 for labor. I'm not
> the most mechanically inclined person in the world but damn thats a
> lotta money - should I just bite the bullet and have them do it? Any
> special tools involved? Tearing the dash apart doesnt scare me as much
> as the under the hood part....
>
> Don

I havent done one on a GM in recent years but recently did my own Dodge full
size van.
It took me a couple of days, because even the Chilton type shop manual did
not
give the exact procedure.. A lot of it was grope and swear.

BUT ..I worked slowly and methodically and got it apart. Putting it back
together
was a piece of cake.
 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

Mike Marlow wrote:
> wrote in message
>
>
> thanks Mike - I have looked at a couple websites w pics and they have
> the entire dash pulled apart.........
>
> *********************************************************************
>
> I saw some pics like that too. The last one I did was a couple of months
> ago and I certainly did not pull the entire dash. This was a 94 Olds
> Bravada, which is essentially a Blazer. Took off the trim covers under the
> dash, but left the dash fully intact.
>

The 94 is the old style dash and interior. The 95 is the PIA mess that
you have to pull the dash loose to get the core out. It isn't real hard
BUT there are a few hidden fasteners that you need to get to. Not sure
if a Haynes will cover that.

Basically the dash assembly gets unbolted and lifted up and back to give
you room to work.
You pull the trim panel off the dash. Disconnect the switches for 4X4
and the lights and such on the left. Remove the heater control panel and
the radio. Remove the lower trim panels from the dash. Use a thin prybar
to remove the defroster duct grill. Remove the speaker grills. On top
you will find 4 screws for the dash. One in each speaker hole and one on
each side of the defroster hole. There are three along the bottom and
one on each side of the dash. To make removal easier I suggest lowering
the steering column (two bolts). Once you have the dash out of the way
just remove the screws holding the heater core case together and R&R the
core. Make sure you clean the plenum if you had any leakage. Then
reverse the procedure to put it back together.

I have done a few cores on the early and the late versions. The 94 is
easier BUT the dash comes out easier in the later models. Kind of a toss
up on time.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York


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 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

Book time is 5.5 hours for an experienced tech, as Steve said the 95 up is a
PITA job.
"HLS" wrote in message

>
> wrote in message
>
>> Heater core is out in my 95 Blazer, local shop (whom I use and trust)
>> quoted around 800.00. 100.00 for the core, 700.00 for labor. I'm not
>> the most mechanically inclined person in the world but damn thats a
>> lotta money - should I just bite the bullet and have them do it? Any
>> special tools involved? Tearing the dash apart doesnt scare me as much
>> as the under the hood part....
>>
>> Don
>
> I havent done one on a GM in recent years but recently did my own Dodge
> full size van.
> It took me a couple of days, because even the Chilton type shop manual did
> not
> give the exact procedure.. A lot of it was grope and swear.
>
> BUT ..I worked slowly and methodically and got it apart. Putting it back
> together
> was a piece of cake.




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 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

"Steve W." wrote in message

>
> The 94 is the old style dash and interior. The 95 is the PIA mess that you
> have to pull the dash loose to get the core out. It isn't real hard BUT
> there are a few hidden fasteners that you need to get to. Not sure if a
> Haynes will cover that.
>

<............snip.............>

Great write up Steve. I was not aware of the change up in the dash. What a
pain in the butt.


--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE RemoveThis @alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

Mike Marlow wrote:
> "Steve W." wrote in message
>
>> The 94 is the old style dash and interior. The 95 is the PIA mess that you
>> have to pull the dash loose to get the core out. It isn't real hard BUT
>> there are a few hidden fasteners that you need to get to. Not sure if a
>> Haynes will cover that.
>>
>
> <............snip.............>
>
> Great write up Steve. I was not aware of the change up in the dash. What a
> pain in the butt.
>
>

That was just one of the "updates" that makes them special.
I just picked up the gaskets to do the intake on the 97 (it beat the
average and has 175+ on it).
Then yesterday the wife tries to leave for work and discovers the fuel
pump in the 02 died. Just got the new pump and will be dropping the tank
later. (it went 121K) Gee I'm so glad she just topped the tank off.....


--
Steve W.


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 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

"Steve W." wrote in message


>
> That was just one of the "updates" that makes them special.
> I just picked up the gaskets to do the intake on the 97 (it beat the
> average and has 175+ on it).
> Then yesterday the wife tries to leave for work and discovers the fuel
> pump in the 02 died. Just got the new pump and will be dropping the tank
> later. (it went 121K) Gee I'm so glad she just topped the tank off.....
>
>

At least the pump in that is a pretty easy job. Not withstanding the full
tank of fuel, of course. Did you buy just the pump, or the complete sender?

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE DeleteThis @alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer? 

Mike Marlow wrote:
> "Steve W." wrote in message
>
>
>> That was just one of the "updates" that makes them special.
>> I just picked up the gaskets to do the intake on the 97 (it beat the
>> average and has 175+ on it).
>> Then yesterday the wife tries to leave for work and discovers the fuel
>> pump in the 02 died. Just got the new pump and will be dropping the tank
>> later. (it went 121K) Gee I'm so glad she just topped the tank off.....
>>
>>
>
> At least the pump in that is a pretty easy job. Not withstanding the full
> tank of fuel, of course. Did you buy just the pump, or the complete sender?
>

Replacing the module. The level sender was acting up as well. Got a new
Delco unit for a good price.

--
Steve W.


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 >> Stay informed about: Heater Core replacement 95 Blazer - not a do-it-yourselfer?