Heater core!

Please use OEM red coolant and distilled water from now on so that it never happens again.

 

Got it all back together! Took about 3 1/2 -4 hours and not really too bad a job. Glad I didn't have to undo the a/c like the video showed. Only problem is the airbag light is on. When I turn it off with the key it kills the light. Did I forget to plug something back in?

 

You might just have an SRS code stored that need to be cleared. Youll need one of the better scanners that are able to read SRS and ABS data.

 

try disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes, that might reset everything to normal again

 

Yeah that might have worked for the early Tacomas but I had to actually loosen and pull that big fat support bar out of the way to get the box that housed the heater core out!

 

Maybe! I had to disconnect the passenger airbag to get the dash out.

 

I believe I am in a similar situation and may have a leaking heater core. I recently found coolant on my passenger side floor mat, and have been noticing a sweet coolant smell in the cab when running my heat this winter. I also seem to have trouble getting rid of the fog on the window when running the defroster, and seem to get some fog/condensation inside the windows as well. I've also noticed a subtle hissing noise coming from underneath the passenger footwell when I run the heat, but only on the defrost setting. I have a 2004 5VZFE Double Cab with ~200K. I figured I would start by taking out the glove box to see if I can tell if it is definitely the heater core or not. Wanted to check here to see if anyone has been able to replace a heater core without ripping out the whole dash.

 

Unfortunately your heater core is shot! Having just done this job I can report that there will be no way to do it without removing the dash! It a big job but not really difficult. Start in the middle with the heater controls and go from there. There is a link to a YouTube video that was helpful, but it suggests the heater box has to come out on the passenger side. That means removing the A/C evaporator box. When I got to that point I went the other way and was able to get it out and back in on the drivers side. You will find a large tube that runs the width of the cab. I loosened it on the drivers side and un bolted it completely on the passenger side. I had a helper pull up on the bar as far as we could move it and the box came out! The heater core can then be removed from the box. Took us about 4 hours. It takes very few tools! 10 and 12mm sockets, Phillips screwdriver, and some pliers for the hose clamps.

You'll be fine if you take it slow and don't force anything too much. It goes back together faster than it comes apart!

You will be in airbag territory so don't forget the battery!

 

Thanks for the help and advice sgt1577. I was going to take it to a shop so I didn't have to deal with it, but was quoted at $850. I think I'm willing to tackle this one myself at that price.

 

That was my motivation too!!! The part was only about $70

 

Yes! I just ordered one off of RockAuto for $57 after shipping! Going to try to tackle it this coming weekend. I will let you know how it goes. I may replace radiator hoses with some Gates hoses while I'm at it too.

 

I usually get from them too, but had no time to wait on the shipping!

 

The video you were talking about on replacing the heater core suggests getting the R134a sucked out before starting the job. Did you do that? Is it completely necessary?

 

I'm hoping it's that easy on my 96! I'm gonna have to do mine soon.

Definitely sounds like a leaking heater core. The sweet coolant smell and the hard get rid of fog... only thing I don't have is coolant drops in the cab. Must be a very small leak on mine.

 

Nevermind. I just noticed where you posted and said that you were able to get your heater core box out without removing the evaporator box. I'll try to go that route so I don't have to suck out R134a

 

No! I was able to skip that step!!!! You can get the heater box out on the drivers side. Take some patience but it was not hard. The big tube that spans the cab has to be loosened and can be pulled out of the way to make room

 

I never had any fog, just a few drops on the mat. Definitely had a leak though as there was a puddle of coolant in the box.

 

No fog, even with defrost/heat on? I guess not all of em do it, then.

 

I'm sure it was only a matter of time!

 

Yeah, you might be right. I've smelled coolant in the cab when I have the heat on since the first winter I had the truck, but this is the first winter that it's produced this fog.