heater core

[sgates]

I have a 95 Beretta with a coolant leak that appears to be coming from the heater core. There is a 90 degree elbow to the side of the heater core (under the car) that leaks coolant about as fast as I can put it in. I'm trying to get to the heater core so I can check it and replace it if needed but I've run into a slight problem. I believe I've removed all of the screws holding the cover on the heater core but the cover still seems to be attached up near the front of the car. I've searched all around and I can't seem to find any more screws or anything else that would be holding it there. Just pulling hard on the cover does nothing but make me afraid I will break it. It doesn't seem to budge beyond a certain point. I can see the heater core inside but can't seem to get this cover off. What am I missing?

[Cliff8928]

There's a few screws that are recessed in there.  They're kinda difficult to see.

[HateMyAuto]

Yeah, but don't feel bad if you do break it. I think about 80% of the people who do it break it their first time, and then just glue it back together.

[sgates]

I actually had all the recessed screws out. I saw on another forum that there were a couple of screws under the car above the heater core hoses that need to come out. After some work I got them out but I'm not so sure I needed to take them out now. I pulled like crazy on the heater core casing under the dash and it finally came loose. I did end up breaking it some but I'll just throw on some liquid nails or something. I spilled a bit of coolant inside the car because the casing had a small pool in it. After removing the heater core itself I can see the problem. The hose split right where it connects to the core. It looks like the hoses are not removable at this point so I will probably just get a new core. This repair has been a lot of work but I'm still glad I did it myself.

[Cliff8928]

That's how all the original heater cores fail...

[Rodville]

Make sure when you buy the new one to go for the aluminum one. Please don't replace with the plastic one or you WILL be doing it again. the price difference between the aluminum and plastic is not worth the trouble.