How to remove heater core on 1997 buick lesabre

If it smells sweet you probably have a leaky heater core. Which, reeeeally sucks cause I believe you have to remove the dash board to replace it.

have you tried flushing it 1st from the 2 hoses in the engine compartment?

How long does it take to swap out a heater coil in a 1999 Buick LeSabre

The heater core in the LeSabre is one of the easiest to replace. I can do one in 30 minutes and I'm not a mechanic. I've never paid to have it done. Here are directions.

sorry

Ok to eliminate having heat in your vehicle and/or replacing a damaged heater core unhook both the 5/8" id hoses going to your heater core then remove them and connect a hose between both outlets to loop them. Newer replacment water pumps have interchangeable outlet fittings which can be removed and plugged with a pipe or drain plug if applicable the same as with your water neck fitting. Connecting the 2 together is a much easier fix

HEATER CORE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION 1997–01 Models BONNEVILLE AND LESABRE

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the cooling system into a clean container for reuse.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Heater hoses from the heater core
   • Right sound insulator
   • All necessary electrical connectors and remove the instrument panel compartment
   • Temperature valve actuator
   • Electrical connector and remove the HVAC programmer
   • Heater core cover-to-heater assembly screws and the cover
   • Heater core-to-heater assembly screws and the heater core Fig. 1: View of the heater hoses and clamp positions — 1997–01 Bonneville and LeSabre
     Fig. 2: View of the heater core cover — 1997–01 Bonneville and LeSabre
     
   To install:
   
4. Install or connect the following:
   • Heater core and the heater core-to-heater assembly screws, then, tighten the screws to 12 inch lbs. (1.4 Nm)
   • Heater core cover and the cover-to-heater assembly screws, then, tighten the screws to 12 inch lbs. (1.4 Nm)
   • HVAC programmer and connect the electrical connector
   • Temperature valve actuator
   • Instrument panel compartment and connect any necessary electrical connectors
   • Right sound insulator
   • Heater hoses to the heater core
5. Refill the cooling system.
6. Connect the negative battery cable.
7. Operate the engine to normal operating temperatures; then, check the climate control operation and check for leaks.

The hoses are moved by turning them a few degree's, then pulling them off. See diagram below.

This could be several things. First I would check that the thermostat is not stuck open. This will condition will make the car run cold when it is cold outside.

If this is not the case........and I'm assuming you've already checked that the antifreeze is full, make sure that the heater valve is working. If it is frozen in place then it won't move and won't allow the warm water to circulate through the heater core.

I'm basing my answers on a standard Lesabre. Yours may not have the standard climate control.

The heater core is located under the dash, in the center. The container holding the core looks like a black plastic box. Remove the ash tray for easier access. You may have to also remove some other covers under the dash. You must first drain the radiator then you have to disconnect the hoses. There are two hoses connected to nipples of the heater core that go thru the center of the firewall. Remove the screws that hold on the cover to the heater core. Then you should be able to get the old one out. There might be a couple of other minor steps but I'm sure you can figure them out. For re-installation just go in reverse order to put it all back together.