Mercury Marquis Heater Core R/R

My 1996 Mercury Marquis developed a loss of coolant into the passenger
cabin this morning.
My mechanic's snap opinion (he hasn't looked yet) is that the heater
core is shot, followed by
major moaning about how tough it is to pull and replace the heater core
and how much it will
cost because the whole dash has to be removed and replaced.

Question: how is the heater core removed for this car and how much
"standard" time
should it take?

Question: is there a "trick" way of pulling the heater box without
removing the entire dash
assembly and if so, what is it?

Any Ford/Mercury experts out there? All information appreciated.

Marv

Marv Soloff wrote:
> Question: is there a "trick" way of pulling the heater box without
> removing the entire dash
> assembly and if so, what is it?

I managed to do my 1989 by pulling the dash back a lot, without having to
remove it entirely or remove the steering parts. If the 1996 isn't easier
than the '89, and I suspect it isn't, that's the best news I have for you.

If there were any answers to my questions about it, I didn't see them. I
suspect most people who might have encountered one decided not to tackle it.

--
One meter, to within 0.0125% accuracy (off by just under .005 inches):
Three feet
Three inches
Three eights of an inch

On Mar 21, 5:41 pm, Marv Soloff > wrote:

> Question: how is the heater core removed for this car and how much
> "standard" time
> should it take?
>

I've seen it take over a day for some experienced Ford techs. The
heater core replacement is
one of my pet peeves with the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. If you tackle
this, take your time
and, if you can, get a factory repair manual to do it.

My 87 Lincoln Town car needed a new heater core. The symptoms are a
loss of coolant and the steamy smell of antifreeze when you run the
heater. Stop leak worked for a few months, but one day on the way to
work it started blowing thick steamy air. You could see the thick steam
that chocked you to breath it.

I decided not to replace the core myself because: 1. Its a two man job.
2. It takes a professional mechanic 1.5 days to do it. 3. If its not
done right you will have to do it over including removing the dash
again. 4. The AC gas has to be drained and refilled according to specs.

I got 4 estimates ranging from $750 to $1100. Two independent shops,
a Ford dealer and a Lincoln dealer.

I chose not to use the two independents because their warranty is only
for 90 days.
I was not impressed with their good old boy "we can probably figure it
out and it might cost more" attitude.

The Ford dealer wanted $1100.

I got the best deal ($790) from the Lincoln dealer because: They have
done so many Lincolns they know how to do it right the first time. They
gave me a new Lincoln Towncar loaner for 2 days for free. Their
warranty is for 12 months, and is honored by other Lincoln dealers
across the country. While they were doing it they found a defective
cabin heat sensor that was faulty and replaced it for free. Their
employees were professional and polite.

In this case, the dealer by far the best option.

Since the full size Mercury, Lincoln, Ford are virtually the same, I
would suggest getting 4 estimates from them. Also ask about getting a
loaner car for free or at lowest cost.

Bailey B wrote:
> My 87 Lincoln Town car needed a new heater core. The symptoms are a
> loss of coolant and the steamy smell of antifreeze when you run the
> heater. Stop leak worked for a few months, but one day on the way to
> work it started blowing thick steamy air. You could see the thick steam
> that chocked you to breath it.
>
> I decided not to replace the core myself because: 1. Its a two man job.
> 2. It takes a professional mechanic 1.5 days to do it. 3. If its not
> done right you will have to do it over including removing the dash
> again. 4. The AC gas has to be drained and refilled according to specs.
>
> I got 4 estimates ranging from $750 to $1100. Two independent shops,
> a Ford dealer and a Lincoln dealer.
>
> I chose not to use the two independents because their warranty is only
> for 90 days.
> I was not impressed with their good old boy "we can probably figure it
> out and it might cost more" attitude.
>
> The Ford dealer wanted $1100.
>
> I got the best deal ($790) from the Lincoln dealer because: They have
> done so many Lincolns they know how to do it right the first time. They
> gave me a new Lincoln Towncar loaner for 2 days for free. Their
> warranty is for 12 months, and is honored by other Lincoln dealers
> across the country. While they were doing it they found a defective
> cabin heat sensor that was faulty and replaced it for free. Their
> employees were professional and polite.
>
> In this case, the dealer by far the best option.
>
> Since the full size Mercury, Lincoln, Ford are virtually the same, I
> would suggest getting 4 estimates from them. Also ask about getting a
> loaner car for free or at lowest cost.
>
Good advice. Many thanks to all who answered.

Marv

Bailey B wrote:
> I decided not to replace the core myself because: 1. Its a two man job.
> 2. It takes a professional mechanic 1.5 days to do it. 3. If its not
> done right you will have to do it over including removing the dash
> again. 4. The AC gas has to be drained and refilled according to specs.

I did not have to drain or refill the A/C. I don't remember the procedure
well enough to describe how we accomplished that, but I used the A/C all
last spring, summer and fall after doing the heater core.

--
One meter, to within 0.0125% accuracy (off by just under .005 inches):
Three feet
Three inches
Three eights of an inch

loosen off the rad cap for a few days until you can get the heater
core replaced. that should minimize the amount of steam that smells
like antifreeze coming at you. a lower pressure cap may be an option
also.

were are you located?
Marv Soloff wrote:

> My 1996 Mercury Marquis developed a loss of coolant into the passenger
> cabin this morning.
> My mechanic's snap opinion (he hasn't looked yet) is that the heater
> core is shot, followed by
> major moaning about how tough it is to pull and replace the heater core
> and how much it will
> cost because the whole dash has to be removed and replaced.
>
> Question: how is the heater core removed for this car and how much
> "standard" time
> should it take?
>
> Question: is there a "trick" way of pulling the heater box without
> removing the entire dash
> assembly and if so, what is it?
>
> Any Ford/Mercury experts out there? All information appreciated.
>
> Marv

mr.som ting wong wrote:
> were are you located?
> Marv Soloff wrote:
>
>
>>My 1996 Mercury Marquis developed a loss of coolant into the passenger
>>cabin this morning.
>>My mechanic's snap opinion (he hasn't looked yet) is that the heater
>>core is shot, followed by
>>major moaning about how tough it is to pull and replace the heater core
>>and how much it will
>>cost because the whole dash has to be removed and replaced.
>>
>>Question: how is the heater core removed for this car and how much
>>"standard" time
>>should it take?
>>
>>Question: is there a "trick" way of pulling the heater box without
>>removing the entire dash
>>assembly and if so, what is it?
>>
>>Any Ford/Mercury experts out there? All information appreciated.
>>
>>Marv
>
>
Northern New Jersey

M