How to replace a heater core out of 97 buick skylark

Just clamp of the inlet line to the core with a clamp. The inlet is the bigger hose.

If coolant is leaking from the heater core into the interior or through a weep hole out of the car your heater core has sprung a leak.
Most vehicles have easily accessible heater cores, only requiring removal of a panel under the dash or hood to gain access. On the '97 Skylark it's accessible under the dash.

• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Drain and recycle the engine coolant.
• Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle.
• Detach the drain tube, then disconnect the heater hoses from the core tubes.
• Carefully lower the vehicle.
• Remove the console if equipped.
• Unfasten and remove the sound insulators, console extensions and/or steering column filler, as required.
• Remove the floor or console outlet ductwork and hoses.
• Remove the heater core access cover.
• Unfasten the heater core mounting clamps/bolts, then extract the heater core from the vehicle.

To install:

• Install the heater core, then secure using the clamps/bolts.
• Fasten the heater core cover.
• Connect the outlet hoses and ducts.
• Install the sound insulators, console extensions and/or steering column filler.
• Raise and safely support the vehicle.
• Install the drain tube and connect the heater hoses to the core tubes.
• Carefully lower the vehicle.
• Connect the negative battery cable.
• Fill cooling system and check for leaks. Start the engine and allow to come to normal operating temperature. Recheck for leaks and check coolant level. Add if necessary.

No the dash panel does not have to come out.You will have to remove the console if equipt.You will also have to jack the vehicle up and disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core.Let me know if you have anymore questions.Good luck.

it could be the electronic switch down under the dash that is faulty, not allowing the flap to close off and cycle the water through the heater core..

You will need a piece of pipe about 2" to 3"long that will fit inside the diameter of the two heater hoses at the firewall and two hose clamps. (1)disconnect the two hoses at the firewall; (2)slip a clamp on each hose; (3)slip the piece of pipe into both hose ends to connect the two hoses together; (4)install and tighten clamps on each end of hoses over pipe. (You might want to put a little grease on the pipe for easier removal when you are ready to install new core.) Start engine and check for leaks at the connections.

I believe you have to dissassemble the lower part of the hvac unit under the dash to gain access to the heater core, then disconnect the hoses at the firewall and remove the heater core.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain and recycle the engine coolant.
3. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle.
4. If necessary, remove the rear lateral transaxle strut mount.
5. Detach the drain tube, then disconnect the heater hoses from the core tubes.
6. Carefully lower the vehicle.
7. Remove the console if equipped.
8. Unfasten and remove the sound insulators, console extensions and/or steering column filler, as required.

Fig. 1: Unfasten the sound insulator retaining bolts ... Fig. 2: ... then remove the sound insulator

1. On some models it may be necessary to remove the steering column opening filler.
2. Remove the floor or console outlet ductwork and hoses.
3. Remove the heater core access cover.

Fig. 3: Remove the heater core access cover

1. Unfasten the heater core mounting clamps/bolts, then extract the heater core from the vehicle.

Fig. 4: Unfasten the heater core retaining bolts; most later models are secured with clamps Fig. 5: Remove the heater core from the vehicleTo install:

1. Install the heater core, then secure using the clamps/bolts.
2. Fasten the heater core cover.
3. Connect the outlet hoses and ducts.
4. Install the sound insulators, console extensions and/or steering column filler.
5. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
6. Install the drain tube and connect the heater hoses to the core tubes.
7. If removed, install the rear lateral transaxle strut mount, if removed.
8. Carefully lower the vehicle.
9. Connect the negative battery cable.
10. Fill cooling system and check for leaks. Start the engine and allow to come to normal operating temperature. Recheck for leaks and check coolant

Your heater core needs to be replaced. The heater core is like a mini radiator, providing heat for the interior by coolant circulating from the engine, into the heater core, and back to the engine again. Like a radiator, a heater core can spring a leak, especially w/ age as a factor. This results in the leak inside the car, which also causes the 'smoke' you see, which is actually vapor form of coolant.

Pull the panel under the glove box. You should be able to see the heater core. disconnect the two hoses under the hood on the firewall to the heater core. put a pan below to catch the antifreeze. Replace heater core. reconnect hoses.

Did you replace the schrader valves (the thing in the inside of the A/C service fittings, you need a special tool to remove and install them) before you recharged the system? They are notorious for leaking if they are old.

If you did not, replace those and try again, if it leaks out again with no evidence you most likely have a bad evap core.

And yes, it's a pain in the ****, plan on it taking a 30 pack of bud light and a weekend to do, or one day and a 12 pack if you are good. Just start taking the dash apart, and may the force be with you. It will be behind the glove box