Hi All,

Well after all of the extensive searches here, and just as many on Google I need to break down and ask a couple of hopefully useful questions.

I've finally got the dash out of the EVO. Using the wiggle, and chase down fastener technique the dash is finally out. Let's hope all of the labeled baggies will help get all of the fasteners back into the spot they came out.

The next step involves actually getting the heater core out of the EVO. How is this accomplished? It might be a little painful, but could a poster put in some step-by-step instructions?

Thanks in Advance,

~j.

 

u shoud have taken it to the dealer.....

 

1. You need to take the deck crossmember out.
2. Remove (2) heater core hoses (behind assy)
3. Remove suction hose ( behind assy)
4. Remove liquid pipe B connection and 0-ring ( 1 screw behind assy)
5. Remove center duct- on top of assy left side
6. Remove heater unit/blower motor assy - 7 nuts (studs on fire wall)

 

Thanks for the responses ... is there a way to get the box out without removing the deck crossmember?

Thanks,

~j.

 

bump

 

Update:
Core removed
Some of the high points were:
- Bleeding down the A/C system
- Removing the Heater hoses from the core tubes. These took quite a bit of yank and twist. If I were to do it all over again I think I would remove the strut bar and have about 2in. more room to play twist and yank. Once the hose rotated on the fitting flange, they came right off.
- Removing the Blower Unit. Surprisingly easy. The center section which seems to have a temp. sensor in there came out. Then the blower was just pop some bolts until it feel off its mounts. Make sure to get a lot of ziploc baggies or some other organization mechanism to help make sure bolts get back in.
- Sliding back the Subframe member means you have to drop the steering wheel. There are four bolts total that hold it to the subframe member. I just moved up my drivers seat, zipped out the four bolts and let the wheel rest on the seat. Then the four subframe mount bolts can be removed, along with four subframe center console bolts along the floor. The subframe rests in its mounts on some centering pins. Then when you're ready to remove the box, I carefully grabbed subframe and wiggled it back making sure the wiring harness didn't seem to be caught on anything and gained about 3 inches necessary to remove the heater core.
- Put down some paper towels, or plastic to catch a few drips from the heater core. I didn't but my 3M scotchguard carpet in the EVO kept the antifreeze from soaking in just long enough to get a paper towel on it. I suspect I'll have that light ariy antifreeze smell for awhile, but nothing major.

Hopefully this information will help some poor soul in the future.

The box relatively is not a really hard system to get out. Its just time consuming. I, as do others, would have really appreciated the extra 200.00 charge to put in the electronic controlled version so I wouldn't have to pull this box, but oh well. Dr. EVO giveth, and MMNA taketh away.

~j.

 

What did you do with the heater core hoses? I'm taking my ac out for weight savings, but something will have to be done with the hose ends that went to the back of the ac unit. What did you guys do, did you plug them up or what. Thanks this thread was very helpful!

 

Im going to have to do this soon, so I'm curious why you had to drop the subframe for something that's inside the car.. If you needed to move the steering wheel couldn't you just drop it from the dash and remove the drivers seat to get it low enough to pull the dash out or something?

How long do you think this took?
Was it a super pain to do?
I'm curious how much anxiety I should have for this.

 

Where he writes subframe I think he means the bar that goes across the dash.

I did this a long time ago and don't remember much about it. You need the FSM. Start off by disconnecting the battery. Next, pull the front seats so you have room to work.

Experienced shop workers claim to be able to do this job in a day. I'm not sure that includes servicing the cooling and A/C system. For the home schooler I'd say allow a few days. When it comes to pulling snap in place plastic panels use as much time as it takes to coax the part off.

There's many many pieces to the dash. Anytime I start a big project like this I first go to the supermarket and buy a large package of drinking cups. The cups are labelled and used to hold fasteners and small parts. When the last cup is empty and in the trash the job is done.

The only problem I had was with the little clip at the lower end of the steering column. Working alone I couldn't get it in place. It requires three hands.

 

I have a lot of experience taking dashes apart and this job took me 2 weekends to complete. I did take the time to reinstall my car alarm while i had everything apart though so that slowed me down. If you did them all the time you could probably get it done in a day but it would be a pretty rough day. Removing the driver seat makes dropping the steering column alot easier.

 

I don't understand all the issues, I did mine in under 4 hours for the first time. No A/C service was required.

I don't even remember taking off the steering wheel or removing the blower although it has been a minute. Also left the dash in place, just loosened the bolts.

Now I think somehow I did it magically.

If I recall, I had a shortcut that involved bending the pipes on the HC. I cannot remember how though.

 

If you know magic this is a good job to use it on.

 

If you get the heater box removed it is a good time to throw in a new blend door if yours is sticky.

 

The heater core is inside some white plastic bits best I can tell. I have no clue how you would get that out with out taking the dash off.

Barney, your info has been super helpful! Its been cool enough lately I'll be attempting this soon so I don't sweat or freeze to death. Best time of the year for it to crap out I guess. Good call on the blend door, I never would have thought of that. I think mine has the Evo9 gears or something but it is still very difficult to turn, though it's never bent so..

 

Here's someone doing a lancer