Tools Required
J 38185  Hose Clamp Pliers
Removal Procedure
- Remove the fuel injector sight shield. Refer to 
Fuel Injector Sight Shield Replacement 
in Engine Mechanical-3.8L.
 
- Drain the cooling system. Refer to 
Cooling System Draining and Filling 
 in Engine Cooling.
 
- UseJ 38185 
in order to position aside the
heater hose inlet and outlet clamps at the heater core.
 
- Disconnect the inlet and outlet heater hose from the heater core.
 
- Remove the RH Instrument Panel Closeout/Insulator panel. Refer to 
Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Right Side 
in Instrument
Panel, Gages, and Console.
 
- Remove the LH Instrument Panel Closeout/Insulator panel. Refer to 
Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side 
in Instrument
Panel, Gages, and Console.
 
- Remove the floor carpet. Refer to 
Front Floor Panel Carpet Replacement 
in Interior Trim.
 
- Remove the rear floor air outlet duct from the holes in the floor reinforcement.
 
- Disconnect the rear floor air outlet duct from the heater air outlet cover.
 
- Remove the rear floor air outlet duct.
 
- Remove the heater air outlet cover screws (2).
 
- Remove the heater air outlet cover heat stakes (1) with a small chisel.
 
- Remove the heater air outlet cover from the HVAC module assembly.
 
- Remove
the heater core cover screws (2).
 
- Remove the heater core cover heat stakes (1) with a small chisel.
 
- Remove the heater core cover from the HVAC module assembly.
 
- Remove
the heater core from the HVAC module assembly.
 
- Remove
the heater core foam seal (1) from the HVAC module assembly.
 
Installation Procedure
- Install
a new heater core foam seal (1) to the HVAC module assembly.
 
- Install
the heater core to the HVAC module assembly.
 
- From the inside of the heater core cover, drill the dimples adjacent to
the heat stakes using a 5.5 mm (7/32 in) drill bit.
 
- Install
the heater core cover to the HVAC module assembly.
 
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the heater core cover screws (2).
 
Tighten
Tighten all screws to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).
- From the inside of the heater air outlet cover, drill the dimples adjacent
to the heat stakes using a 5.5 mm (7/32 in) drill bit.
 
- Install the heater air outlet cover.
 
- Install the heater air outlet cover screws (2).
 
Tighten
Tighten the screws to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).
- Connect the rear floor air outlet duct to the heater air outlet cover.
 
- Install the rear floor air outlet duct to the holes in the floor reinforcement.
 
- Install the floor carpet. Refer to 
Front Floor Panel Carpet Replacement 
in Interior Trim.
 
- Install the RH Instrument Panel Closeout/Insulator panel. Refer to 
Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Right Side 
in Instrument
Panel, Gages, and Console.
 
- Install the LH Instrument Panel Closeout/Insulator panel. Refer to 
Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side 
in Instrument
Panel, Gages, and Console.
 
- Connect
the inlet and outlet heater hose to the heater core.
 
- UseJ 38185 
 in order
to reposition the heater hose inlet and outlet clamps to the heater core.
 
- Install the fuel injector sight shield. Refer to 
Fuel Injector Sight Shield Replacement 
 in Engine Mechanical-3.8L.
 
- Fill the cooling system. Refer to 
Cooling System Draining and Filling 
 in Engine Cooling.