Hi everyone,
My 2004 Camry LE (2.4L 2AZ-FE engine and auto trans) has ~220k miles on it and the heat recently stopped working. The blower still pushed air out and the thermostat is brand new, but there still wasn't any heat. After some researching it seems that the heater core is a common problem on these cars after a decent amount of miles. Basically the row (tubes) of the core are so thin that debris easily gets stuck and clogs it up, starting on the passenger side and working its way toward the drivers side as it clogs. So if you start to notice that the heat on the passenger side isn't nearly as hot as the drivers side, that's your first clue.
Side note: NO TRIM/DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO DO THIS.
Disclaimer: Do this at your own risk, it's not a hard job but if you think it's too much then you should let a mechanic do it.
Parts required:
-Heater core (I used a Spectra Premium heater core off of Amazon for $75 shipped, part # 93068. Or you can source an OEM heater core for $300-400)
-1 gallon of your favorite radiator fluid/coolant
Tools required:
- Needle nose pliers, regular pliers, vice grips
- Screw drivers (regular Phillips and a small flat head)
- Hose pinch pliers (optional)
- Small catch can/oil pan for catching coolant coming of the heater core
Steps:
1) Remove the engine cover and air intake box/pipes. I didn't take picture of this but its pretty simple. Two 10 mm nuts holding on the engine cover. Air box has two 10mm bolts holding it down. There are 2 vacuum lines that need to be removed, one large one going to the valve cover and one small one going to a nipple on the throttle body. After that there's just one large clamp holding the intake tube to the throttle body, squeeze the clamp with pliers while pulling up on the tube and the whole intake setup should come away from the engine. Stock picture:
![Image]()
2) Use hose pinch pliers on the two heater hoses to stop more coolant from draining. You don't necessarily need to do this, but its less messy. Remove the clamp holding each heater hose to the hard lines coming out of the firewall and pull them off. Some coolant will leak out. If not using hose pinch pliers, just quickly hold the hose in an upright position to stop coolant from coming out. I zip-tied mine off to the side so they were out of the way:
![Image]()
3) Next go inside the car and start pulling on the carpet directly next to the gas pedal, it has 2 velcro spots holding it on. It will be a little stiff but it will bend enough to wedge it under the gas pedal and out of the way. You'll be looking at the heater core now:
![Image]()
4) Use the small flat head screw driver to un-crimp the metal around the heater core pipes. Each pipe has an O-ring that seals it against the heater core and then they crimp the metal around it to hold it tight. The new core will come with these pipes and O-rings so don't worry about messing up the old ones. You'll want to have a small pan or something to catch any coolant that spills out (also have some rags). Once you uncrimp them, you can pull them out of the heater core:
![Image]()
![Image]()
5) There's a plastic bracket/clip holding the heater core pipes to the firewall, you will need to unclip it to pull the pipes out completely. Also, use a screwdriver and remove the small strip of metal holding the heater core itself in (shown in the previous pics).
![Image]()
6) Pull the pipes out completely and then you should be able to wiggle the heater core itself out. I had to use pliers to pull on the outlet with enough force to remove it, I guess they get somewhat stuck from years of heat. Watch out as coolant is still inside the core and will spill.
7) New heater core looks like this (the Spectra Premium one). I un-crimped the pipes from this one before installing because I didn't think there would be enough room to get it in as-is. If the gas pedal wasn't there it might be possible. Once you remove the pipes, just slide the new heater core into the air box, secure it with the metal strip and screw, then reattach the pipes and crimp the metal back with pliers or vice grips. You need to crimp them hard enough so that it secures the pipe, but they will still be able to wiggle some. I found it easier to slide the pipes through the firewall first and then pushing them into the core and crimping them. Once the pipes are in, reattach the clip holding them to the firewall.
![Image]()
8) Don't push the carpet back yet. Re-attached the heater hoses in the engine bay with their clamps. Re-install the intake tube and air box assembly (remember to attach the two vacuum hoses). Now, make sure your overflow bottle is at least half full. The new core is empty so it will need to fill up. Start the car and let it get hot, then turn the heat on full so that the heater core fills up. Make sure the heater core pipes aren't leaking. Mine didn't leak at all, but if yours do you will need to crimp them a little better. If all is good, push the carpet back up where it belongs.
9) Let the car cool down fully and remove the radiator cap. Expect the fluid to be a little low since the it had to fill up the heater core. Fill the radiator back up with coolant, reinstall the cap and run the car again until its fully hot. Repeat this until the radiator stays full. Also make sure the overflow bottle is at a good level, if there is any air in the system it will bleed out through the bottle so you need to keep fluid in it.
10) Enjoy your heat!
Post if you have questions or want me to add anything!
My 2004 Camry LE (2.4L 2AZ-FE engine and auto trans) has ~220k miles on it and the heat recently stopped working. The blower still pushed air out and the thermostat is brand new, but there still wasn't any heat. After some researching it seems that the heater core is a common problem on these cars after a decent amount of miles. Basically the row (tubes) of the core are so thin that debris easily gets stuck and clogs it up, starting on the passenger side and working its way toward the drivers side as it clogs. So if you start to notice that the heat on the passenger side isn't nearly as hot as the drivers side, that's your first clue.
Side note: NO TRIM/DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO DO THIS.
Disclaimer: Do this at your own risk, it's not a hard job but if you think it's too much then you should let a mechanic do it.
Parts required:
-Heater core (I used a Spectra Premium heater core off of Amazon for $75 shipped, part # 93068. Or you can source an OEM heater core for $300-400)
-1 gallon of your favorite radiator fluid/coolant
Tools required:
- Needle nose pliers, regular pliers, vice grips
- Screw drivers (regular Phillips and a small flat head)
- Hose pinch pliers (optional)
- Small catch can/oil pan for catching coolant coming of the heater core
Steps:
1) Remove the engine cover and air intake box/pipes. I didn't take picture of this but its pretty simple. Two 10 mm nuts holding on the engine cover. Air box has two 10mm bolts holding it down. There are 2 vacuum lines that need to be removed, one large one going to the valve cover and one small one going to a nipple on the throttle body. After that there's just one large clamp holding the intake tube to the throttle body, squeeze the clamp with pliers while pulling up on the tube and the whole intake setup should come away from the engine. Stock picture:
2) Use hose pinch pliers on the two heater hoses to stop more coolant from draining. You don't necessarily need to do this, but its less messy. Remove the clamp holding each heater hose to the hard lines coming out of the firewall and pull them off. Some coolant will leak out. If not using hose pinch pliers, just quickly hold the hose in an upright position to stop coolant from coming out. I zip-tied mine off to the side so they were out of the way:
3) Next go inside the car and start pulling on the carpet directly next to the gas pedal, it has 2 velcro spots holding it on. It will be a little stiff but it will bend enough to wedge it under the gas pedal and out of the way. You'll be looking at the heater core now:
4) Use the small flat head screw driver to un-crimp the metal around the heater core pipes. Each pipe has an O-ring that seals it against the heater core and then they crimp the metal around it to hold it tight. The new core will come with these pipes and O-rings so don't worry about messing up the old ones. You'll want to have a small pan or something to catch any coolant that spills out (also have some rags). Once you uncrimp them, you can pull them out of the heater core:
5) There's a plastic bracket/clip holding the heater core pipes to the firewall, you will need to unclip it to pull the pipes out completely. Also, use a screwdriver and remove the small strip of metal holding the heater core itself in (shown in the previous pics).
6) Pull the pipes out completely and then you should be able to wiggle the heater core itself out. I had to use pliers to pull on the outlet with enough force to remove it, I guess they get somewhat stuck from years of heat. Watch out as coolant is still inside the core and will spill.
7) New heater core looks like this (the Spectra Premium one). I un-crimped the pipes from this one before installing because I didn't think there would be enough room to get it in as-is. If the gas pedal wasn't there it might be possible. Once you remove the pipes, just slide the new heater core into the air box, secure it with the metal strip and screw, then reattach the pipes and crimp the metal back with pliers or vice grips. You need to crimp them hard enough so that it secures the pipe, but they will still be able to wiggle some. I found it easier to slide the pipes through the firewall first and then pushing them into the core and crimping them. Once the pipes are in, reattach the clip holding them to the firewall.
8) Don't push the carpet back yet. Re-attached the heater hoses in the engine bay with their clamps. Re-install the intake tube and air box assembly (remember to attach the two vacuum hoses). Now, make sure your overflow bottle is at least half full. The new core is empty so it will need to fill up. Start the car and let it get hot, then turn the heat on full so that the heater core fills up. Make sure the heater core pipes aren't leaking. Mine didn't leak at all, but if yours do you will need to crimp them a little better. If all is good, push the carpet back up where it belongs.
9) Let the car cool down fully and remove the radiator cap. Expect the fluid to be a little low since the it had to fill up the heater core. Fill the radiator back up with coolant, reinstall the cap and run the car again until its fully hot. Repeat this until the radiator stays full. Also make sure the overflow bottle is at a good level, if there is any air in the system it will bleed out through the bottle so you need to keep fluid in it.
10) Enjoy your heat!
Post if you have questions or want me to add anything!
