Hi all, I was just wondering how much of a pain is it to replace the the heater core in a TF Magna?, I know the dash has to come out, is there any special tools required? my car has dual air bags, cheers

about the only special tools you'll need is patience and understanding or a friend to help you. dash comes out, coolant hoses get disconnected, heater box (once bolts are loosened/removed) gets gently jiggled and you need to pull the heater core towards you while moving the box unless you want to snap the elbows on the top. be careful of the air con box in the middle as you likely won't want to release the gas.

about the only special tools you'll need is patience and understanding or a friend to help you. dash comes out, coolant hoses get disconnected, heater box (once bolts are loosened/removed) gets gently jiggled and you need to pull the heater core towards you while moving the box unless you want to snap the elbows on the top. be careful of the air con box in the middle as you likely won't want to release the gas.

Thanks so much for your reply and your handy tips, much appreciated

take plenty of pics. i have just done this myself to a tj magna. Issue wasnt heater core or the damn O rings but the Black elbows. one had perished and was leaking into interior.

Only further problem im having is gauges arent working( speedo / tacho/ fuel and temp) but everything else works fine. They light up etc and on board comp still calculates fuel/ overspeed.
was also good excuse to fix PRND globes.

EDIT : fixed my issue. Was the black plug on top of cluster. where the ribbon circuit stuff turns into that box that the black plug connects to.
i had on removal nudged the ribbon on something and misaligned it hence no signals. Beware of that and good luck with it all.

Special tools? You will need a TORX key set to remove the plastic elbows from the heater core, a semi decent set is about $8 from Autobarn.

Need elbows, O rings and maybe new heater hoses as well.
I think some foam is needed to stop the heater core rattling around - do a search.

Yes foam is needed, copy the placement of foam on the old one and you will know where to put it.

Foam Weather Strip tape from a hardware store will do that job just fine.

Thanks to everyone for your replies, just wondering will a car pass rego in NSW with the heater disconnected ? cheers

Never used foam on a heater ever

Do a search, I put up a how to a while back about how to get the dash out properly, remove the core etc etc and put back together

Never used foam on a heater ever

Do a search, I put up a how to a while back about how to get the dash out properly, remove the core etc etc and put back together

ok cool thanks Mal I will checkout your post, cheers