'02 Heater Hose @ Firewall?

[Knothead]

The nipple for the heater hose broke off @ the firewall. How hard to repair/replace?Where can I find an exploded view of the area?

[dmarty]

Are talking about the heater core pipes or the plastic quick connections on the heater core? My ’99 had plastic quick connections for the hoses at the heater core. They were right at the firewall. I had a gurgling noise in the dash when I used the heater and was told to remove the quick connects and slide the hoses directly on the heater core pipes. Worked great, no problems. If your plastic quick connects are broke, remove them and put the hoses directly on the heater core pipes.

[Knothead]

It was hard to tell in the dark (on side of the road) last night. It is the plastic quick connect fittingthat was cracked. What the easiest way to remove? Are they like the fuel fittings,where you need a special tool to remove?

[dmarty]

Yup. You need a tool to release them. Looks like a fuel line tool only bigger. The GM special tool is J43181, but I think most any universal tool will work if it's the right diameter. Lisle makes a nice set of quick connect release tools that goes up to 7/8" dia and runs about $10. Don't remember what size the hose is, but that might work. It was so long ago for me, that I don't really remember what I used. I think I just cobbled something up to work.

[Knothead]

Thanks for the input, eliminated the connecter and went straight to metal pipe. 1 less thing to break!

[dmarty]

No problem. Glad it worked for you.