Need to replace heater core

[..::ryan::..]

I just took my truck (2005 F-350 6.0) into the dealership and stated my heater core was bad. They want $709. That way too much for my blood. Does anyone have a write up and a parts list I would need to do this?

[troid123]

Not a very common problem, why do you think its the heater core?

[..::ryan::..]

There is antifreeze leaking around the heater core and the windshield fogs up all kinds of crazy. This is what the dealership determined it to be. Or is there a way I can bypass the heater core until I have the funds to have someone else do it? I live in San Antonio so I'm not too worried about it getting cold out here.

[troid123]

I am sure there is a way to bypass it, hopefully someone will chime in with how to do it.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Did a quick search and found this. Check out post #5. Doesn't sound like a terrible job.
Smell of antifreeze? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

[..::ryan::..]

Yeah I just saw this heater core location

I'm just trying to mentally picture how hard it will be lol

[..::ryan::..]

Well I think I have a good understanding of how to change it. For the parts list do I only need to get a heater core of my choice and some antifreeze or am I going to need anything else?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by ..::ryan::..

Well I think I have a good understanding of how to change it. For the parts list do I only need to get a heater core of my choice and some antifreeze or am I going to need anything else?

Personally, I would flush the whole cooling system and get a good ELC coolant with an EC-1 rating. The factory Ford Gold coolant is junk and leads to problems with restricted oil coolers, blown EGR coolers and possible head gasket issues.

[..::ryan::..]

Originally Posted by dhanna6powerstroke

Personally, I would flush the whole cooling system and get a good ELC coolant with an EC-1 rating. The factory Ford Gold coolant is junk and leads to problems with restricted oil coolers, blown EGR coolers and possible head gasket issues.

I've never personally worked on a cooling system so I'm not too sure what would need to be done to flush it. Is it something I can do or better off taking it somewhere to get flushed?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by ..::ryan::..

I've never personally worked on a cooling system so I'm not too sure what would need to be done to flush it. Is it something I can do or better off taking it somewhere to get flushed?

There are some write ups on here about flushing. I'll see if I can find one. It's pretty easy to do, just time consuming.