91 V-6 LE heater core P.I.T.A.!!??

[webndeb]

Hello out there!
I'm new to Toyota NAtion forums and have a question about R / R my heater core. Looks like I need to completely remove the dash....is this true?? I currently have the glove box, stereo, and climate controls out. I can see a box, (not sure if it contains the core....seems like the core would be closer to the firewall). Any suggestions what's next. ANy helpful ideas GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks in advance for your input!.....

Web in CA

[fredk]

you betcha, its a pita, how often do you need heat?

[webndeb]

Anyone out there with any ideas about removing / reinstalling a heater core for a 91 LE v-6??

[webndeb]

Thanks Fredk,
Think I'm gonna button it up until I have a week to dedicate to this. Everything functions perfectly, there's just this smell I can't get rid of.....no it's not too much TAco Bell either....lol

The smell is kind of a stale, moldy, musty smell. I've tried deodorizers, the antibacterial treatment from the dealership, you name it.....no help

[fredk]

is your heater core leaking?

[webndeb]

Nope, no leaks, just the smell. My wife is convinced that the smell is toxic (exhaust in particular). I don't think it is exhaust, since I would think that symptoms of CO poisoning would be present if that were the case. My son drives the car 80% of the time, and I drive it the rest.
I have been able to open the air ductway and expose both the A/C evaporator, and the heater core. Both are clean, and everything works and functions normally / great. ON the evaporator (fan side), there were some tree "seeds)...pods, and some cat hair(???), which I vacuumed off.
On the heater core there is a little bit of surface rust (I am guessing from condensation in the A/C evap, but again, no signs of leaking, or other corrosion / mold/ etc.I am taking pictures for future reference. I am spraying Rustoleum on the heater core, to slow the rusting, (what little there is) but not so much paint as to inhibit heat transfer. We'll see what happens. I am going to button it back up, and see how it goes. The car is AWESOME otherwise. It's a 91 Camry LE with the 2.5 V-6. Only 85K original miles. It was stored in an underground parking garage by an old guy who was unable to drive anymore. Luckily, we stumbled upon the deal, only $3200.00.

I am wondering if the smell (seems musty to me) might be from the underground storage??!!

ANyway, I am not going to remove the heater core, since it does not seem to be defective, and it would probably keep the car out of commission for a week with the amount of work involved. When it does go out, I think I'm having a mechanic do it!

[Doctor J]

You just may have to clean plugged a/c condensate drain tube, the rubber hose that extends from firewall in the engine compartment.

[webndeb]

I'll try that while it is apart....Thanks for the tip!! I'll post if it helps or not.

[JetspeedCamry]

Could it be as simple as musty old carpet? Perhaps lift the carpet and see if theres any moisture etc. Could lead to rust if it is.

[fredk]

heater cores smell like anti freeze and pour, i bet you got mould probably from a leaky trunk

[webndeb]

Got it 80% back together (just need to do the glove box and passenger side dash) and drove it about 70 miles today with my son, all we could smell was Rustoleum! THe carpet is moist under the evaporator, though....leak? Thanks for your tips and ideas.....

MAn, those guys earn their money on this job....MAJOR PITA

[fredk]

you betcha, i bet your ac drain is plugged up, get the carpet out and dry it out