How to Replace the Heater Core in a 1992 Chevrolet Camaro

The heater core resembles the radiator, but on a smaller scale. The coolant that circulates through the heater core gives off heat, which is then blown throughout the cabin of the car by the blower motor. Damage rarely happens to the heater core, but when it does, it's typically a clog from a lack of maintenance to the cooling system. Replacing the heater core on your 1992, Chevrolet Camaro can be done right at home. With a few tools, this money-saving repair will take you 30 minutes or less to complete.

Instructions

1

Lift the hood on the Camaro and then remove the radiator cap. If you have recently driven the car, wait one hour before starting this repair.

2

Place a coolant drain pan under the radiator in-line with the drain plug. Begin opening the drain plug until a steady flow of coolant comes out of the radiator. Don't completely remove the drain plug because re-threading it in the cramped space may prove difficult. If the drain plug seems hard to turn by hand, use a pair of pliers to get it started. Allow the coolant to drain completely from the radiator and then close the drain plug securely.

3

Loosen the clamps on both of the heater core hoses with a flat-head screwdriver. Slide the clamps back on the hoses three inches and then pull the hoses off the heater core tubes. Both hoses connect to the heater core on the left side of the firewall within the engine compartment. They look just like your radiator's hoses but small in diameter.

4

Open the passenger door on the car and scoot the seat back as far as it can go, so you have more working area.

5

Remove the bolts from the silencing trim panel under the dashboard with a socket wrench and then set the trim along with its bolts on the driver's side floor. With the trim removed directly in view, you will see a two-foot-long black plastic heater case cover. The heater core mounts behind the heater case cover.

6

Remove all of the bolts from the heater case cover and then remove the cover from its mounting position to reveal the heater core. The bolt at the top of the heater case cover is in a tight location but you can remove it without having to dismantle the dashboard.

7

Line the floor area beneath the heater core with three large shop towels. Remove the heater core's support plate and then remove the screws securing the baffle in position. Carefully pull the heater core toward you to remove it from its position in the heater core housing. Do not tip or turn the heater core because it still has coolant inside of it. Install the new heater core by simply reversing this removal procedure. Use a funnel to avoid spilling coolant when you refill the radiator. The coolant that you drained from the radiator can be reused if the cooling system was serviced recently; if not, use fresh coolant to refill the radiator.