1994 Ford Escort Heater Core 94 Escort

BIGJAIME

MEMBER
1994 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

My 94 Escort was leaking radiator coolant into the driver and passanger side floorboard. I was told that it is the heater core. I took the 2 hoses from under the hood and joined them. The leaking has stopped. I now cannot get the old heater core case out. I took out all the bolts and screws that I could find, getting myself into a mess. I have not removed the steering wheel, or top of the dash. A mechanic friend told me that since my air conditioning tank is empty, to disconnect the 2 hoses from the tank so the blower casing can come out making room to pull the heater core casing out the passenger side, but I cannot get them disconnected. It also seems that the heater core casing is not dropping. Might be a screw I missed, not sure. I am a beginner, but can follow directions. Please help me get my heater core replaced. Also, do I need to take the top of the dash off to expose a hidden screw? I will donate as soon as funds become available.
Last question.
Does the 95 have same procedures as the 94?

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,383 POSTS

Exactly the same for both 94 and 95 models .. hope this helps .. let me know how you do !!

HEATER CORE
Removal & Installation
Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain cooling system. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core, and plug openings. Detach hood release cable. Remove both dash side panels. Remove left and right lower dash trim panels. Remove glove box. Remove 7 screws securing center accessory console. Disconnect wires on accessory console, and remove accessory console. Remove control cables at heater case.
Remove 4 bolts securing steering column to instrument panel. Lower steering column. Remove 2 bolts from instrument panel mounts at far left and right sides of instrument panel. Remove defroster duct trim on top of dash. Remove instrument cluster screws. Pull instrument cluster out slightly. Disconnect electrical connections and speedometer cable from instrument cluster. Remove instrument cluster.
Disconnect all electrical connectors from instrument panel. Remove parking brake console. Remove glove box. Remove bolts securing instrument panel support to floorpan. Remove all instrument panel mounting bolts. Remove instrument panel.
Separate heater case from blower. Remove 3 nuts and pull heater case from firewall. Remove heater core access cover, and pull heater core from heater case. See Fig. 7 . To install, reverse removal procedure.
Fig. 7: Exploded View Of Heater Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.