DIY: Heater core replacement in BD/BG/BK

[Dead91silvia]

Yes, I was dumb enough to actually do this on my own car...

Difficulty level 1-5

5 for pain in the ass!

I decided that after year of the slight smell of coolant and the windows starting to fog, it was time to change the heater core out. I have had a new one sitting in a box for the last few years...

If you are a beginner, DO NOT try this! If I wasnt short of work and had the money to take it to the dealer, I would have in a heart beat!

REMOVE BATTERY TERMINALS and cut all power to car!!!!I dont want to hear that an airbag blew in your face....


Started at 10AM... 10:00 hours to you military guys... Let it begin!


Removed front seats... Move room to work.. If you dont already know how to take out the seats, put the tools down and stop right now!


Pull the center console... 9 screws...


If you dont know how, this is the shifter release...




Pull stereo bezel... 2 ash tray screws and cup holder screws... unplug cig lighter...






Remove stereo... Dont forget about the screws way in the back....


Vent trim... Pull out easy... unplug 4 ways switch...


Glove box... 2 screws at bottom, then remove inner backing plate...




There is a few 10mm bolts in there...


Remove cluster bezel... 4 screws... remove switches... I had to cut the wires for my alarm light, thank you so much Subaru America for HARD wiring my damn light!


Remove Cluster... Unplug everything, there are 4 plugs if I remember right...


Remove 4 screws for HVAC




Pull the lower dash cover... 2 screws...

[Patrick Olsen]

I pulled the heater core just to get access to the wiring, but now that I have it out, I'm wondering if I should go ahead and replace it. Part of me thinks, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," but part of me thinks the car's got 240k miles or so on it and I might as well swap the thing out while I'm here.

For those that have done this, what replacement heater core did you use? I see the OEM one (72130FA002) lists for $317 (), while aftermarket ones are available on Rock Auto for under $50. I'm all for using OEM parts, but that price difference is pretty ridiculous.

[Dead91silvia]

Nice! I just got fed up with taking pic and I wanted to get it done when I stopped snapping pics... haha... The core I installed was about $79, but I also got it back in like 2008 and it sat in a box for years.

[Michelle]

Disconnect battery, he says. Hmm...

Kidding. This is a great thread. I may need to reference this later if I do a harness merge. And thanks, Patrick, for the tip about the silicone! I've been following your thread on corner-carvers!

[meepers]

Disconnect battery, he says. Hmm...

That right there is GOLD!

[Dead91silvia]

LOL... Do as I say, not as I do.