A week or so ago I brought to your attention that the heater core in my '87 was leaking. I have since bought a new one for $49(Cdn), which isn't a bad price. So far, so good.

I have the Haynes manual, but it doesn't really explain the core replacement very well. When I'm in the car looking up at the "box" around the heater core assembly, I can only see two screws to remove on the bottom. Removing them hasn't seemed to make any difference in anything coming apart.

After using the Search function and reading the posts here regarding changing a heater core, I'm a little confused. It appears that some of you have recommended changing the core from inside the passenger compartment (as the Haynes manual seems to imply), and some of you have done it from the spare tire side. Is there anyone familiar with either or both methods who could comment on this?

Use a flashlight and look around, there must be another screw or two holding it in still. Take the core out the passengers side, but disconnect it from the spare tire side by disconnecting the hoses.

You Have To Take The Radio Speaker Out To Get To The Screws At The Top. The Speaker Grill Just Pops Out Using A Small Screwdriver And Pry Up On Each Side. You Un-Hook The Hoses From The Spare Tire Side. It Is Not Bad At All. Good Luck.

These past instructions are for a/c cars. Im not sure how to do it on a non a/c car.

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.

After I posted my initial question, I went back outside and looked over the situation more thoroughly. It still didn't look very clear to me how to remove the heater core by way of the passenger compartment, but upon closer inspection, it did look rather straightforward to remove it by way of the spare tire compartment. I don't have a/c, if that makes a difference.

One advantage of attacking the problem from the spare tire compartment, is that you end up having complete access to the blower motor and the internal air passages of the heater assembly. It gives you a great opportunity to clean all the crap out of there. The toughest part by far was getting the hoses off of the old heater core. The rubber was practically bonded to the metal inlet and outlet pipes. I had to cut some of the hose off. I just hope I haven't made them too short by doing so. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

It's actually an easy job, when you know how to do it.

Holy smokes. The '86 SE must be completely different. Im replacing mine as we speak, and taking it out from under the dash was a breeze. It was tougher to take the subwoofer out of the way. The core cover is held on by 3 screws at the 3, 6 and 9 oclock positions. The core is held in with two screws and a strap. The hoses are disconnected from the outside. Too easy.

Linx, there definitely must be a difference between the heaters in our Fieros. The heater core in my Fiero is held in place by two springy tabs pressing down against the back end, and by one screw through a V shaped strap on the inlet/outlet end.

One odd thing I've noticed since the replacement of the heater core is the strong smell of the new one. It's a very... metallic smell. At least it's not antifreeze I'm smelling anymore. I guess that's good.