1998 kia sportage heater core removal

this what your'e looking for..a workaround?
http://www.kia-forums.com/1g-1993-2002-sportage/56612-heater-core-removal-replacement-workaround.html
hope it helps!

That is engine coolant leaking from the heater core , you have to have the dash taken apart to fix it ! leaking heater core

under the hood to the far left corner you must cut the plastic cover open to expose the blower motor. remove the screws that hold the blower in place, pull the blower through the hole.

The dash has to be remove to get it out,

YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASH .. DROP THE STEERING COLUMN HELD IN BY 4 BOLTS AND ON LEFT SIDE OF DASH THERE ARE 2 12MM BOLTS HOLDING IN ALSO ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND IN THE CENTER WHICH YOU WILL SEE WHEN YOU REMOVE THE CENTER CONSOLE. YOU WILL HAVE TO EVACUATE THE A/C FREON

If it is necessary to remove the heater assembly, the cooling system must be drained before removing the heater core.
When a heater core leaks, a new heater core is installed or the old one repaired.
Heater Housing

• The heater housing is usually under the dash and must be removed to gain access to the heater core.
• Procedures for replacing the heater core vary with the year, make, and model of car. It threfore necessary to consult the manufacturer's repair manuals for the proper procedure for replacement.

The heater housing is disassembled to get to the heater core. Heater Core

• Remove the access panels(s) or the split heater/air conditioning case to gain acess to the heater core.
• Remove the heater coolant hoses.
• Remove the cable and/or vacuum control lines (if equipped).
• Remove the heater core securing brackets and/or clamps.
• Lift the core from the case. Do not use force. Take care not to damage the fins of the heater core when removing.
• To reinstall the heater core, reverse the removal steps.

When the heater core leaks and must be repaired or replaced, it is a very difficult and time-consuming job primarily because of the core's location deep within the firewall of the car. For this reason always leak test a replacement heater core before installation.

I have a repair manual for this car if you need one get in touch

Sounds like the heater core has a leak. When you get low on coolant, the temp gauge will start to fluctuate.

Hi there,

Here are the steps to remove heater core

1. Chock wheels. 2. Drain the engine coolant. Refer to Engine Cooling System. 3. Discharge and recover the refrigerant from the A/C system. Refer to Recovery/Evacuating/Charging in this section. 4. Remove the dash panel. Refer to Body. 5. Remove the Blower/Evaporator unit. Refer to Blower/Evaporator Unit in this section. 6. Disconnect the low pressure line from the evaporator outlet on the bulkhead. 7. Disconnect the high pressure line from the evaporator inlet on the bulkhead. 8. Disconnect the heater return hose from the heater core outlet tube connection. 9. Disconnect the heater inlet hose from the heater core inlet tube connection. 10. Disconnect the fresh air/recirculation control cable from the blower housing unit inlet duct. 11. Disconnect five connectors at the bottom of the blower housing unit. 12. Pull carpeting away from bulkhead to gain access to the hole cover plate. 13. Remove the four nuts retaining the hole cover plate. 14. Remove the hole cover plate. 15. Remove two mounting bolts at the top of the blower housing unit. 16. Remove two nuts attaching the bottom of the blower housing unit to the bulkhead mounting studs. 17. Remove the blower unit from the vehicle. 18. Remove the temperature control cable from the heater unit servo. 19. Remove the two nuts from the mounting studs at the bottom of the heater unit. 20. Remove the top nut holding the heater unit to the bulkhead to the bulkhead mounting stud. 21. Remove the heater unit. Regards, Jeep Brainy

The heater is located under the dash board to the right and down from the radio. To remove and replace it you will have to remove the dash board down to the fire wall. Also, you will have to disconnect two hoses that connect up to it from the engine compartment. These are located in the back of the engine and down on the firewall about midway. Once you remove the dash board and locate the heater core you will be able to see the location of these two hoses. Removing the heater core is time consuming but it will save you about 700 dollars.