Thank you so very much. This was probably the easiest to follow tutorial for a car I've ever seen. How you got the camera in those tricky spots to show all the screws is amazing. You saved me a lot of money and headaches. Took me over half a day as I ran into a couple problems and it was the first time I've attempted repairs on a vehicle, but I finally got my heat back!
YOU are life saver. I know we have not met before, but your video has saved me over $300.00 . Thanks for taking the time to make this video!!!! I also enjoyed your other videos on the same vehicle about the thermostat...God bless You!!!!!!!
Rich, I had no heat in my 1996 SW1 which has over 240,000 miles, so pulled the heater core today per your video and found the core was blocked. After a little time in my utility sink I was able to get junk out of the core, and then able to easily blow air through it. Put it back on my car, and my heat is now back to normal. Biggest problem I had was removing the hoses from the heater core (problem was not the hose clamps, but actually pulling the hoses off the heater core pipes). If the core gets plugged again I will just replace it with a new one as it really takes very little time to remove and reinstall. I just jacked up my car on the Drivers side and held it up with a jack stand (and a second stand as insurance), and this provided plenty of clearance to work from under the vehicle for removal of the hose clamps. Thanks for the wonderful videos.
Thanks for posting the video. My son and I were debating on scrapping an old Saturn or replacing the heater core. I think we'll op for fixing it one more time.
Señor Rich... I really liked your videos.... His one was very helpful.... I did the work for $75.oo... in 5 hours... The mechanic for me is a Joby ,...since I was a little boy I had to help my father and grandfather fix the cars.... I never had the opportunity to study mechanics .... and now I am 51 and it is very expensive.... Thank you very much.... Maravilloso
Thanks a bunch for your video, it is well done. This was a lot of work done on a day off, that needed to be done. There are some good pictures here and there on the net, but you video is the righteous thing. Thanks for your effort in making it, it's great that you share your knowledge and do it so well. I lost my spring clamps, I think they flew out the door and kept going to the next county.
Love these videos. On my second SL1 and have referred to your tutorials for many things. Thank you for taking the time to make and post them! Saving me a LOT of time and head scratching.
you are a godsend. end of discussion. I wonder if you fully realize how much you truly help people and give them a sense of accomplishment. you're AWESOME!! helpful hint: when putting in the new aftermarket core. i couldn't get it to fit right when i secured the front bottom bracket first inside the car. the two tubes wouldn't line up at all. I loosened it, took off the front bracket and secured the back bracket holder by the firewall that holds the two tubes, first, and then just moved the core over to the correct spot. made all the difference in the world. I would have bent the tubes doing it the other way, and almost DID because i was so frustrated! hope this helps someone.
Awesome video. Now my heat is super hot like it should/used to be. Thanks Rich! My daughter was very happy driving to basketball practice this early winter morning, :)
Hey Rich - Removing a heating core is one heck of a job - done many of them and sure sure you did also - thanks for sharing this video to the you tube people .
First step, take the seats out. I’ve done it for a complete carpet cleaning years ago and it took me 20 minutes. Well worth the time investment for those older folks with bad backs. Ayyyye carumba! 😂
Thank you so much. I have a '99 Saturn SC1 with the SOHC 1.9L engine that has heat in the cabin, but very little. I'm thinking the heater core is clogged. I don't smell any coolant and there are no leaks. I tried burping the system as I thought there may have been air pockets, but there doesn't seem to be any air in it. I am going to try removing the heater core and flushing it out. Sometimes the air blows hot, then, seconds later, it'll blow cold. Strange problem lol. I absolutely love the car so far. Reliable and very good on fuel.
Hi Rich, great video. Might give this a try tomorrow, my heater core needs replacement. If I feel brave enough. Questions: 1) Do you get at the spring clamps from underneath the car (jacking it up); and if so, is it difficult? 2) Are the clamps re-usable, usually, or should I get a couple new gear clamps? Thanks, K. By the way, I have a Saturn SC2 2001, I hope this doesn't make a difference.
+richpin06a I did successfully end up doing the fix! Thank you very much. Getting at the clamps was really difficult so I got underneath the car for that. Hoses were in good condition, and clamps were re-used. New heater core seems to not be leaking anything, I have put everything back. Thank you again!
Thank you for the great film. @4:19 May I know what is the name of the cable you are removing? Update: It is Temperature Regulator Cable. That Cable was in my hands as soon as I disconnected the left side. It was not sitting as @4:35 being connected firmly on the right side of it. To put back the right side you need to remove radio. Maybe in my car that cable was not connected properly on the right side, but it came off immediately when I remove the left loop. Via mirror I saw a peg on the temperature regulator, where the right side (same loop like on the left side) is supposed to go. Besides that the right end should go in the slot by the peg.
Hey Rich how would you try to remove and replace the Blend Door Actuator or Damper from underneath that Gen 3 dash? I have a 2001 SC2 and I've tried removing the glove box but in Gen 3's, and only the door to the glove box door is removable. The rest of the glove box (the sides and back) remain intact and can't be removed without cutting or breaking into it as it seems to be molded all together with with the rest of the dashboard assembly The Gen 2 Glove box when removed would allow some decent access to the blower and the Blend door actuator But not on my 2001 SC2.... I don't want to bust out and destroy the the plastic barrier at the back of the glove box just to get to the Blend door actuator. What would you suggest? I can't even see what I am doing and i can barely even feel the actuator with my hands while i am laying flat on my back and looking up beneath the glovebox's rear plastic barrier ........Thanks
I can hear a sloshing sound from behind the dash so I was leaning towards a clogged heater core but I'm getting heat still. Can the heater core still be clogged if I'm still getting heat?
I had water in my floorbroad on my saturn s series had to take it in to get something unclugged air cond core he said ..what did he do ?I found something on the right side that I guess was the core .. What exactly did he do ? also my air cond dont blow very hard in the saturn ..what could I do to fix that?
I have had water on my floor board in my 1996 Saturn SW1 after heavy rains and what I found out was that water was getting under the hood and then running through the openings of the firewall where the heater core pipes run into the passenger compartment. I fixed this problem by using plumbers clay to seal the opens around the heater core pipes (under the hood) where they go through the fire wall. This fix works great, and when I had to recently remove my heater core the plumbers clay was easy to remove (it hardened over time but crumbles easily with a screw driver, etc.)
Rich, I`m really having a difficult time with the coolant level light blinking intermittently with no change in the actual coolant level or temp. I removed the reservoir about 6 months ago and thoroughly cleaned it and it was fine until a couple of weeks ago. I've now cleaned it a couple of times to no avail. Last night it came on and the temperature did get pretty high, then dropped back to normal suddenly, so I changed the thermostat. The light is still mostly flashing but intermittently stops flashing. I am an old, female ex aircraft mechanic with no diagnostics equipment and still can't find the prop or wings (translation....I`m guessing on automobiles) can you please help me. Male mechanics don't want to advise me
Yes! You called it! I found the leak shortly after I posted the question! You hit the nail on the head again! I ALWAYS look for your videos when I have a question. You offer concise invaluable information, always! Thank you!
is there a trick to getting that 7mm screw where the two lines go through the fire wall? i Can not seem to get a 1/4 inch ratchet with a swivel and an extension on it.
That cable is connected to the right side dial,(3rd gen) that switches from floor, floor dash, dash, defog, and floor / defog. All it does is spin a round door inside the enclosure.
@3:06 you can see Rear Floor Heater Duct. It is sitting on a bolt. Does someone know for to remove that Duct? And what foam you can use to replace the original foam (mine is deteriorated completely). Thank you.
when i turn on the heater, its extremely loud and shakes the cabin. the relay even blew once. i always thought it was the heater core but after watching this im not sure.
I'll have to consider looking into that then. It's my wifes car, the thing runs like a champ, and I have used your videos to replace all sorts of stuff to keep it running. She just broke 200k. If it is a blower, may just need replacement then. Ill have to look around for a replacement video if you do not have one. Also, the car idles rather loudly as well, I replaced the EGR valve, MAP sensor, and cleaned the throttlebody along with putting a new throttlebody gasket. And the car still idles/runs rather rough and loudly. Do you think this might be a motor mount issue?
Ok so fastforward 4 hours. I removed the heater blower motor, and it runs fine. I even installed a new one to double check. The car runs so loudly and rough when the AC button is clicked on. Heat or A/C, doesn't matter, still runs the same. Brutally loud, any other suggestions would be great, Rich. Thanks.
richpin06a the engine area becomes under great stress when the ac/heat is turned on, so possibly? imma record a video and post it if you dont mind taking a moment to review the noise
Then again I dont think you have to remove the whole dash to get to the evaporator...just looked at mines today...all I might need to do, is remove the heater core, and then remove the whole panel from underneath...where the blower motor is, and where the evaporator is...only way I can figure it out...I'm not gona spend 1000 bucks labor...buy the freaking evaporator 50 bucks do the labor for free 😄 yourself....beats the hell out of taking the whole dash out!
Thank you so very much. This was probably the easiest to follow tutorial for a car I've ever seen. How you got the camera in those tricky spots to show all the screws is amazing. You saved me a lot of money and headaches. Took me over half a day as I ran into a couple problems and it was the first time I've attempted repairs on a vehicle, but I finally got my heat back!
I am glad you got it done.
YOU are life saver. I know we have not met before, but your video has saved me over $300.00 . Thanks for taking the time to make this video!!!! I also enjoyed your other videos on the same vehicle about the thermostat...God bless You!!!!!!!
Rich, I had no heat in my 1996 SW1 which has over 240,000 miles, so pulled the heater core today per your video and found the core was blocked. After a little time in my utility sink I was able to get junk out of the core, and then able to easily blow air through it. Put it back on my car, and my heat is now back to normal.
Biggest problem I had was removing the hoses from the heater core (problem was not the hose clamps, but actually pulling the hoses off the heater core pipes). If the core gets plugged again I will just replace it with a new one as it really takes very little time to remove and reinstall. I just jacked up my car on the Drivers side and held it up with a jack stand (and a second stand as insurance), and this provided plenty of clearance to work from under the vehicle for removal of the hose clamps.
Thanks for the wonderful videos.
Glad to hear you have heat again.
Thanks for posting the video. My son and I were debating on scrapping an old Saturn or replacing the heater core. I think we'll op for fixing it one more time.
@Morris 1234 Saturns get 35 mpg and can be purchased cheap which makes them great commuter cars.
Señor Rich... I really liked your videos.... His one was very helpful.... I did the work for $75.oo... in 5 hours... The mechanic for me is a Joby ,...since I was a little boy I had to help my father and grandfather fix the cars.... I never had the opportunity to study mechanics .... and now I am 51 and it is very expensive.... Thank you very much.... Maravilloso
Thanks a bunch for your video, it is well done. This was a lot of work done on a day off, that needed to be done. There are some good pictures here and there on the net, but you video is the righteous thing. Thanks for your effort in making it, it's great that you share your knowledge and do it so well. I lost my spring clamps, I think they flew out the door and kept going to the next county.
Love these videos. On my second SL1 and have referred to your tutorials for many things. Thank you for taking the time to make and post them! Saving me a LOT of time and head scratching.
you are a godsend.
end of discussion.
I wonder if you fully realize how much you truly help people and give them a sense of accomplishment.
you're AWESOME!!
helpful hint:
when putting in the new aftermarket core. i couldn't get it to fit right when i secured the front bottom bracket first inside the car. the two tubes wouldn't line up at all. I loosened it, took off the front bracket and secured the back bracket holder by the firewall that holds the two tubes, first, and then just moved the core over to the correct spot. made all the difference in the world. I would have bent the tubes doing it the other way, and almost DID because i was so frustrated! hope this helps someone.
Thank for the tip i am sure it will help someone.
Awesome video. Now my heat is super hot like it should/used to be. Thanks Rich! My daughter was very happy driving to basketball practice this early winter morning, :)
Hey Rich -
Removing a heating core is one heck of a job - done many of them and sure sure you did also - thanks for sharing this video to the you tube people .
Perfect tutorial! Used this to access my Saturn SC2 evaporator to clean it.
First step, take the seats out. I’ve done it for a complete carpet cleaning years ago and it took me 20 minutes. Well worth the time investment for those older folks with bad backs. Ayyyye carumba! 😂
Thank you so much. I have a '99 Saturn SC1 with the SOHC 1.9L engine that has heat in the cabin, but very little. I'm thinking the heater core is clogged. I don't smell any coolant and there are no leaks. I tried burping the system as I thought there may have been air pockets, but there doesn't seem to be any air in it. I am going to try removing the heater core and flushing it out. Sometimes the air blows hot, then, seconds later, it'll blow cold. Strange problem lol. I absolutely love the car so far. Reliable and very good on fuel.
Smashing tutorial, that was a nice design :-))
That heater core looked spanking new, very nice :-))
Except for the nice little mark i made in it....or maybe it was already there....lol
richpin06a
I didnt see a mark, but i can moan about you making one if you like ha ha :-))
Its a heater core, not a high quality paint surface :D
PHEW!!! What a job. Not good for guyz with bad backs,lol. Thanks Rich. Your the best. Jim
James K. I know what you mean.
thank you so much Rich, this video has helped me a ton! currently replacing my heater core.
Works. It's tight with the seats in the vehicle but it works. Thanks!
Thank you for all your videos .they're very helpful
You are my hero! Chiltons book doesn't cover this
Thanks for the great videos you have saved me a lot of $ and time
damn thats a lot of covers. if mine goes out. i am takeing it to a shop.
thank you for the info you share bro... helps me a bunch
IS that the same for the SW2 Saturns?
John Clark
Yes it is.
1 more reason why i love S- series saturns
Thanks Rich. Awesome video!
How much do you think this job would cost taking to a mechanic ?
Thank you, sir! Easy fix.
Glad it helped
Is there no heater control valve? When the thermostat is open fluid will run through the heater core correct?
On the Saturn S-series there is no valve i know of that controls flow to the core.
Thank you
You're welcome
Hi Rich, great video. Might give this a try tomorrow, my heater core needs replacement. If I feel brave enough. Questions: 1) Do you get at the spring clamps from underneath the car (jacking it up); and if so, is it difficult? 2) Are the clamps re-usable, usually, or should I get a couple new gear clamps? Thanks, K. By the way, I have a Saturn SC2 2001, I hope this doesn't make a difference.
Kirill Zaitsev The clamps are accessed from the top and you can reuse them.
richpin06a Thank you, Rich, I'll see what I can do today.
+richpin06a I did successfully end up doing the fix! Thank you very much. Getting at the clamps was really difficult so I got underneath the car for that. Hoses were in good condition, and clamps were re-used. New heater core seems to not be leaking anything, I have put everything back. Thank you again!
thanks rich i luv my saturn....your instruction is appreciated...use's sah tough dude
Thank you for the great film. @4:19 May I know what is the name of the cable you are removing?
Update: It is Temperature Regulator Cable. That Cable was in my hands as soon as I disconnected the left side. It was not sitting as @4:35 being connected firmly on the right side of it. To put back the right side you need to remove radio. Maybe in my car that cable was not connected properly on the right side, but it came off immediately when I remove the left loop. Via mirror I saw a peg on the temperature regulator, where the right side (same loop like on the left side) is supposed to go. Besides that the right end should go in the slot by the peg.
How do you do the AC evaporator?
Good job. I used your video to change mine.
Hey Rich how would you try to remove and replace the Blend Door Actuator or Damper from underneath that Gen 3 dash? I have a 2001 SC2 and I've tried removing the glove box but in Gen 3's, and only the door to the glove box door is removable. The rest of the glove box (the sides and back) remain intact and can't be removed without cutting or breaking into it as it seems to be molded all together with with the rest of the dashboard assembly
The Gen 2 Glove box when removed would allow some decent access to the blower and the Blend door actuator But not on my 2001 SC2.... I don't want to bust out and destroy the the plastic barrier at the back of the glove box just to get to the Blend door actuator. What would you suggest? I can't even see what I am doing and i can barely even feel the actuator with my hands while i am laying flat on my back and looking up beneath the glovebox's rear plastic barrier ........Thanks
Just get at it from the top. check my video about extra blower access.. If youre still interested a year later...
Nice easy access. But those heater cores are very reliable so replacement is rare isn't it?
They are pretty reliable.
I can hear a sloshing sound from behind the dash so I was leaning towards a clogged heater core but I'm getting heat still. Can the heater core still be clogged if I'm still getting heat?
If you are hearing a sloshing sound it could be water in the HVAC box from a blocked drain.
Where's that?
On the s-series it is right here: ua-cam.com/video/W0VdFRDdgvA/v-deo.html
I'll try that when I'm not feeling lazy lol. Thanks.
Great video. Very helpful. Thanks
I had water in my floorbroad on my saturn s series had to take it in to get something unclugged air cond core he said ..what did he do ?I found something on the right side that I guess was the core .. What exactly did he do ? also my air cond dont blow very hard in the saturn ..what could I do to fix that?
There is a drain that can plug see my video ua-cam.com/video/W0VdFRDdgvA/v-deo.html
thanks my friend
I have had water on my floor board in my 1996 Saturn SW1 after heavy rains and what I found out was that water was getting under the hood and then running through the openings of the firewall where the heater core pipes run into the passenger compartment. I fixed this problem by using plumbers clay to seal the opens around the heater core pipes (under the hood) where they go through the fire wall. This fix works great, and when I had to recently remove my heater core the plumbers clay was easy to remove (it hardened over time but crumbles easily with a screw driver, etc.)
how do you put on a Engine Coolant Bypass Hose for 01 Saturn sl2
Can this system be bypassed?
Soooo what do I do if I lost those clips you said we don't want to lose? I tried to keep them around they just launched crazy when I took them off.
Rich, I`m really having a difficult time with the coolant level light blinking intermittently with no change in the actual coolant level or temp. I removed the reservoir about 6 months ago and thoroughly cleaned it and it was fine until a couple of weeks ago. I've now cleaned it a couple of times to no avail. Last night it came on and the temperature did get pretty high, then dropped back to normal suddenly, so I changed the thermostat. The light is still mostly flashing but intermittently stops flashing. I am an old, female ex aircraft mechanic with no diagnostics equipment and still can't find the prop or wings (translation....I`m guessing on automobiles) can you please help me. Male mechanics don't want to advise me
Could it be you have a coolant leak say a cracked side tank on the radiator which is common on the s-series.
Yes! You called it! I found the leak shortly after I posted the question! You hit the nail on the head again! I ALWAYS look for your videos when I have a question. You offer concise invaluable information, always! Thank you!
It was the driver's side end tank too!
I know this is a long shot, but would i be able to get the ac evaporator out this ay as well?
is there a trick to getting that 7mm screw where the two lines go through the fire wall? i Can not seem to get a 1/4 inch ratchet with a swivel and an extension on it.
Some things are best left for a shop to do.. this is one of them
Can I gain access to the AC evaporator going in this route? My SC2 has a leak in the Evap core.
My cover. The duct. The last cover won't go back on. Any idea why?
Hey Rich, what was that cable at 4:15 for exactly?
That cable is connected to the right side dial,(3rd gen) that switches from floor, floor dash, dash, defog, and floor / defog. All it does is spin a round door inside the enclosure.
Thanks.
@3:06 you can see Rear Floor Heater Duct. It is sitting on a bolt. Does someone know for to remove that Duct? And what foam you can use to replace the original foam (mine is deteriorated completely). Thank you.
Nice and simple thanks for sharing
Hi Rich
Do you have a video on evaporators on Saturn's Sl2 97 ?
Thanks
😇😇😇😇😇
I do not have a video just pictures of the removal.
Rich
I bet it takes time to put the evaporator in.
It can be done.
Just patience
😇😊😆😃😇
Great video thanks a bunch
Thanks bro.
💪🏽
Thanks man heat went out in my Saturn and I'm in michigan and its colder then a witches tit.
Can you do a video on how to remove an ac evaporator on a saturn s series?
How about the saturn 1.9 sohc engine.
Your car is the saturn dohc 1.9 different motor.
I have a 1994 Saturn SL2 with a 1.9 engine! My cooling fan has no power at all! The relay has power the 60 amp fuse has power,you have any ideas!
David f Is the coolant getting hot enough and the computer seeing it to turn the relay on.
when i turn on the heater, its extremely loud and shakes the cabin. the relay even blew once. i always thought it was the heater core but after watching this im not sure.
If it made noise when you turned the fan on then there could be a issue with the blower.
I'll have to consider looking into that then. It's my wifes car, the thing runs like a champ, and I have used your videos to replace all sorts of stuff to keep it running. She just broke 200k.
If it is a blower, may just need replacement then. Ill have to look around for a replacement video if you do not have one. Also, the car idles rather loudly as well, I replaced the EGR valve, MAP sensor, and cleaned the throttlebody along with putting a new throttlebody gasket. And the car still idles/runs rather rough and loudly.
Do you think this might be a motor mount issue?
Ok so fastforward 4 hours. I removed the heater blower motor, and it runs fine. I even installed a new one to double check. The car runs so loudly and rough when the AC button is clicked on. Heat or A/C, doesn't matter, still runs the same. Brutally loud, any other suggestions would be great, Rich. Thanks.
Could the noise be coming from the AC compressor.
richpin06a the engine area becomes under great stress when the ac/heat is turned on, so possibly? imma record a video and post it if you dont mind taking a moment to review the noise
Just wish there was a video to put it all back together, getting hung up trying to put things back and having to rewind
Thanks
It looks just like my car
OMG WTF HOW MANY PANELS DO YOU HAVE TO REMOVE
Only about 8 or 9. dont worry, most of them are a pain in the ass.
How do you do a 3 hour job in 6 minutes?
I just cut the inlet an outlet tube an put a small piece of hose to reconnect heater core
Why didn’t he pull it out of the passenger side door
Then again I dont think you have to remove the whole dash to get to the evaporator...just looked at mines today...all I might need to do, is remove the heater core, and then remove the whole panel from underneath...where the blower motor is, and where the evaporator is...only way I can figure it out...I'm not gona spend 1000 bucks labor...buy the freaking evaporator 50 bucks do the labor for free 😄 yourself....beats the hell out of taking the whole dash out!