How to Replace a Heater Core on a Corsica

Learning how to perform maintenance on your Chevy Corsica yourself can save you time and money. Replacing the heater core, if it goes out, makes an otherwise expensive repair cheaper by only having to pay for the cost of the new heater core part, not the pricey labor fees.

Difficulty: Moderately EasyInstructions

Step 1
Place the front of the car on jack stands. Block the back tires and set the parking brake. This is all to ensure the car doesn't move while you are working on it. For additional safety precautions, disconnect the negative battery terminal. This is necessary whenever working on the electrical components of the car and when working near the air bags.
Step 2
Remove the radiator cap and pressure cap (if working on a later model Corsica). Drain the coolant into a drain pan. If the coolant is still good, you can reuse it. If the coolant is discolored, has debris or other things in it, or has been leaking, replace it.
Step 3
Detach the heater hoses from the heater core. Inspect the hoses for damage or excessive wear. Replace them if they are damaged or too worn, as they will not seal to the new core if they are damaged. Inside the car, remove the console if it is going to hinder removal of the access panel, but this is not always the case.
Step 4
Lay a cloth, old towel or newspaper down inside the car to prevent staining from coolant that may spill. Remove the access panel located under the instrument panel. It is a black plastic panel, about 12 inches long, held in with six screws. Remove the heater core strap and remove the heater core.
Step 5
Install the new heater core and put everything back together in the reverse order you took them apart. Refill the coolant reservoir and lower the vehicle. Check the coolant level after a couple of days driving your Corsica to make sure it is at the correct level.