Heater Core Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Mazda CX-5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING:

Handling the air bag module improperly can accidentally deploy the air bag module, which may seriously injure you. Read the air bag system service warnings and cautions before handling the air bag module. (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGS [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE CAUTIONS [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .)

Disconnect the negative battery terminal. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Discharge the refrigerant. (See REFRIGERANT RECOVERY .) (See REFRIGERANT CHARGING .)
Drain the engine coolant. (See ENGINE COOLANT REPLACEMENT [SKYACTIV-G 2.5 (VIN M) ] .)
Remove the following parts:
(1) Plug hole plate (See PLUG HOLE PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [SKYACTIV-G 2.5 (VIN M) ] .) (3) Windshield wiper arm and blade (See WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLADE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (4) Cowl grille (See COWL GRILLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (5) Front scuff plate (See FRONT SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (6) Front side trim (See FRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (7) A-pillar trim (See A-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (8) Driver-side air bag module (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE REMOVAL [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE INSTALLATION [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (9) Steering wheel (See STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (10) Upper column cover (See COLUMN COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (11) Lower column cover (See COLUMN COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (12) Lower decoration panel (See DECORATION PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (13) Upper decoration panel (See DECORATION PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (14) Meter hood No. 1 (See METER HOOD REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (15) Center display component (with center display) (See CENTER DISPLAY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (16) Instrument cluster (See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (17) Meter hood No. 2 (with Active driving display) (See METER HOOD REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (18) Active driving display (with Active driving display) (See ACTIVE DRIVING DISPLAY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (19) Console side panel (See CONSOLE SIDE PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (20) Switch panel (See SWITCH PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (21) Cup holder (See CUP HOLDER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (22) Selector lever knob (ATX) (See SELECTOR LEVER COMPONENT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (23) Shift lever knob (MTX) (24) Shift panel (See SHIFT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (25) Front console box (See FRONT CONSOLE BOX REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (26) Side wall (See SIDE WALL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (27) Rear console (See REAR CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (28) Hood release lever (See HOOD RELEASE LEVER AND RELEASE CABLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (29) Fuel-filler lid opener lever (See FUEL-FILLER LID OPENER AND LEVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (30) Driver-side lower panel (See LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (31) Knee bolster (See KNEE BOLSTER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (32) Center lower panel (See CENTER LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (33) Indicator unit (See INDICATOR UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (34) Climate control unit (See CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [FULL-AUTO AIR CONDITIONER] .) (See CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MANUAL AIR CONDITIONER] .) (35) Glove compartment (See GLOVE COMPARTMENT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (36) Dashboard under cover (See DASHBOARD UNDER COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (37) Passenger-side lower panel (See LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (38) Clock spring (See CLOCK SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (39) Wiper and washer switch (See WIPER AND WASHER SWITCH REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (40) Light switch (See LIGHT SWITCH REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (41) Steering wheel and column component (See STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (42) Rear vent duct (with rear vent duct) (See REAR VENT DUCT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (43) Selector lever component (ATX) (See SELECTOR LEVER COMPONENT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (44) Shift lever component (MTX) SHIFT LEVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [C66M-R].) --> (45) Dashboard (See DASHBOARD REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (46) Front heat duct (See FRONT HEAT DUCT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (47) Blower unit (See BLOWER UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (48) Foot support (See FOOT SUPPORT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Remove the A/C unit. (See A/C UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Remove the heater core. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .)
Inspect the heater core for damage, cracks, and water leakage.
- I f there is any malfunction, replace the heater core. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .)
Visually inspect the fins for bending.
- I f there is any bending, use the end of a Flathead screwdriver to straighten the fins.
Visually inspect the heater hose for deformation.
- Repair with pliers if there is deformation. If there is any malfunction, replace the heater core. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .)