Ford Explorer: 1997 Ford Explorer - heater core replacement procedure

As I understand it, the heater core replacement on a 1997 Ford Explorer
involves removing most [if not all] of the dash board assembly. Currently,
the heater core is leaking. Symptoms include a strong anti-freeze smell
when the heater is on and there is a foggy coating forming on the interior
of the windshield. These symptoms are identical to what happened with
heater core leaks/failures on a 1987 Ford Taurus wagon and a 1984 Chevy
Cavalier.

Is my understanding [e.g. dashboard removal] of this replacement procedure
correct?

If so, are there any special tools required beyond what a relatively well
stocked home garage would have [a wide variety of wrenches & sockets,
pliers, screw drivers, torx bits, etc...]? The dealer wants abou $525 to do
the job, and I've got time on my hands but not a lot of money. If there is
nothing tricky and the job is just tedious I'm prepared to tackle it myself
this weekend instead of shelling out $$$ that I don't have.


TIA,

Chuck

barrythedude - remove yer HAT and COAT to reply wrote:
 


Yea verily, that would be the very essence of automotive maintenance
nirvana. I distinctly remember changing a heater core, starter, water pump,
alternator, etc... on a 1984 Chevy Cavalier and it was all so bloody easy to
do because you could reach all of those parts w/o disassembling the car to
any significant degree. I even replaced head gaskets on that car w/o too
much trouble [it blew at 177,000 miles]. And older cars like a '73 Dodge
Polara and a '71 Oldsmobile Delta 88 were even easier since you could crawl
inside the engine compartment or right under the car w/o having to jack them
up. There's nothing quite like sitting on the front wheel-wells inside the
engine compartment [more like a walk-in closet] when changing spark plugs.


--
Chuck Chopp