Heater core removal

[Tattoofever6971]

Sorry if posted in wrong area
Need to replace heater core on my 20 1500
All the videos and info I can find seem to be for 4th gen except for 1
I know the dash and heater box has to come out was just hoping
To find a little more info or are the 4th and 5th pretty much the same ?
Also read it’s the connection that actually fails and to use silicone around the connection to help prevent future leaks seems like a **** set up but out of warranty so gotta jump in Does anyone that has done these have any tips or advice on hidden bolts or other area that might not be obvious when taking it apart ?
Thanks in advance for any advise

 

[Rammer2025]

Hey let me know if you have replaced your heater core I’m stuck in the process removed my dashboard but can’t seem to remove the frame behind the dash coolant was leaking out of the heater core

 

[SD Rebel]

Wow, I'm glad I don't experinece heavy winters, when mine goes I'll be blocking that sucker off and pretending I don't have a heater core.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Hey let me know if you have replaced your heater core I’m stuck in the process removed my dashboard but can’t seem to remove the frame behind the dash coolant was leaking out of the heater core

I could be mistaken but that frame should come out with the dash as a one unit. There are two instrument panel bolts that come thru the bulk head, judging from the picture they are still in?
Center support bolts, ground eyelet under the carpet near ORC module.

edit: 12 bolts, 2 screws, 9 connectors, 1 ground eyelet, coolant drain and refrigerant recovery plus the bolt holding the R1234 connection to the evaporator.
This is on my 2019 Rebel.

 

[Rammer2025]

Thank you so much unfortunately I already did the mess haha didn’t have a video on yt now I’m stuck on removing the stuck hoses connecting to the heater core I appreciate you taking the time to respond

 

[jeffreyW]

Thank you so much unfortunately I already did the mess haha didn’t have a video on yt now I’m stuck on removing the stuck hoses connecting to the heater core I appreciate you taking the time to respond

So how did it go? I have a heavy smell of coolant in the cab intermittently, trying to decide if I should pay it? out or do it myself? 2020 big horn 5.7

 

[mike_ct]

4th gen was pretty easy after the first time. coolant + a/c lines, a pillar + sill covers, unplug kick panel wires, drop steering column on seat, and remove bolts along windshield, sides, and center floor..dash assembly lifts up to "unhook" and then you can tilt it back towards seat enough to get HVAC box out

 

[Rammer2025]

So how did it go? I have a heavy smell of coolant in the cab intermittently, trying to decide if I should pay it? out or do it myself? 2020 big horn 5.7

Hey Jeffrey sorry for getting back to you so late dealership quoted me $2000 I said hell nah I’ll do it myself very few videos on YouTube took apart from each video it’s similar to the 2500 which they have a video on YouTube first remove the media console 2 screws underneath the top rubber mat in the center rip out the screen and all the media start removing the glove box and there are a lot of screws holding the dash so you have to take it all apart then about 4 bolts underneath the hood towards the heater box I’ve done it about 5 months ago so I’m forgetting but if you’d like videos I’ve made some personal ones might help you the part is hard to get though since they are on back order hope this helps let me know if you need any help because I’ve had to figure it out finished it in about 4 days plus a week waiting on the part it’s a lot of labor work and it’s scary I’m not a mechanic just a YouTube university student but if I can do it so can you good luck

 

[1791]

off topic i did my 2012 camaro with 20k mi. it was under warranty but i didn't trust anyone getting that intimate with my car. as a former gm tech 25 years ago i replaced many a dash so i jumped in it sucked but i got it done. while i was in there i did the blend door i would replace anything that could be a issue later on.

 

[Rammer2025]

off topic i did my 2012 camaro with 20k mi. it was under warranty but i didn't trust anyone getting that intimate with my car. as a former gm tech 25 years ago i replaced may a dash so i jumped in it sucked but i got it done. while i was in there i did the blend door i would replace anything that could be a issue later on.

That’s amazing love the truck by the way I have a question do you know how to bleed the coolant by any chance I ran my truck through water found a leak in the radiator replaced it topped it off with coolant but the engine is still overheating no leaks though I can’t find a video on YouTube about burping coolant or on this forum please

 

[kapinallinen2]

I can’t find a video on YouTube about burping coolant or on this forum please

You need to pull vacuum and use that to transfer coolant to the system.
Alldatadiy has the procedure.

Uview Airlift™ Kit & Cooling System Replacement Parts (550000)

 

[mike_ct]

off topic i did my 2012 camaro with 20k mi. it was under warranty but i didn't trust anyone getting that intimate with my car. as a former gm tech 25 years ago i replaced many a dash so i jumped in it sucked but i got it done. while i was in there i did the blend door i would replace anything that could be a issue later on.

I did my 2012 camaro this summer, blend door. I did It the hack way and cut a hole in the side

 

[1791]

I did my 2012 camaro this summer, blend door. I did It the hack way and cut a hole in the side

if my heater core was not leaking i would have done the same thing you did.

 

[Mac2020]

The dealer did mine and still smelling coolant is there any other issues with the 2020's that could be leaking coolant

 

[mike_ct]

mine smells like coolant up front, I cant find no leak either. my grand Cherokee still. I think it's just the recovery tank venting and this coolant smells after a while.

 

[Rammer2025]

The dealer did mine and still smelling coolant is there any other issues with the 2020's that could be leaking coolant

That’s likely old coolant that was leaking before blowing out it’ll stop smelling later on if you’ve just had the heater core replaced

 

[Rock Crawler]

How in the hell are heater cores going bad in 4-5 years? This should be a 15-20 year part. I’m guessing inferior crap Chinese junk parts?

 

[Rammer2025]

How in the hell are heater cores going bad in 4-5 years? This should be a 15-20 year part. I’m guessing inferior crap Chinese junk parts?

That’s what I’m saying beautiful trucks man but trash parts

 

[Mac2020]

It's been back to the dealer and still smell it.
Are there any leaks on or around the motor anyone had a issue with?

 

[kapinallinen2]

It's been back to the dealer and still smell it.
Are there any leaks on or around the motor anyone had a issue with?

I get an occasional whiff from under the hood. Tried finding the source couple times with no luck.