Community Forums

ProStreet1 · 02-05-2023, 07:59 AM

Hey everyone, looking for someone who either has knowledge or has replaced a heater core in a ‘98 Allegro Bus Diesel Pusher or similar. I recently purchased this coach and the heater core is bi-passed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

swampdog2 · 02-05-2023, 08:16 AM

I have done it and you have to cut the plastic box around the core because if you don’t you will spend days taking the dash out ! I wish I had pictures to show how I cut it , but I sold the bus a couple of years ago ! It’s not a big job cutting it out and I bought the new core from the original mfg ! After you get the old one out you will see a tag on it with the part number ! Seems like it was about 200.00 . After I put the new one in I used metal plumbing straps to screw the two plastic pieces back together ( use real short screws so you don’t put holes in the core ) and then I put black DUCK tape over the seems ! It was pretty straight forward and worked great ! The core is not big so the hole was about 10 inches square !

153stars · 02-05-2023, 08:54 AM

You can find/search a few posts where owners have done it as well.

Jon_C · 02-05-2023, 09:22 AM

I changed my core recently, got it from these folks it was about $200

Comfort air in michigan 616-454-2200

I accessed mine thru the front hood but yours may be different

stang37 · 02-05-2023, 06:16 PM

FYI you might try this folks. Bell Intercoolers out in Spring TX just northwest of Houston. https://bellintercoolers.com/ We have bought cores from them before and he can probably make whatever is needed.

ProStreet1 · 02-06-2023, 05:11 PM

[I wish you had pictures also… this area you cut out, “under the hood area or under the dash?

QUOTE=swampdog2;6416924]I have done it and you have to cut the plastic box around the core because if you don’t you will spend days taking the dash out ! I wish I had pictures to show how I cut it , but I sold the bus a couple of years ago ! It’s not a big job cutting it out and I bought the new core from the original mfg ! After you get the old one out you will see a tag on it with the part number ! Seems like it was about 200.00 . After I put the new one in I used metal plumbing straps to screw the two plastic pieces back together ( use real short screws so you don’t put holes in the core ) and then I put black DUCK tape over the seems ! It was pretty straight forward and worked great ! The core is not big so the hole was about 10 inches square ![/QUOTE]

kwftlaud · 02-09-2023, 06:42 PM

are you sure the heater core is leaking?
I'd pressure test is before you took it apart.

I live in florida, and I bypassed my heater core in my Rialta to see if it would make the AC work better.

I also just bought a Dodge caravan from a private seller. Since I was shipping it to Vermont, and that too had the heater core removed from the water circulation. The heater core was fine, not leaking.

So, rig up something and put 10 lb PSI on it and leave it overnight, see if it leaks.

Kip

code2e · 02-09-2023, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwftlaud

are you sure the heater core is leaking?
I'd pressure test is before you took it apart.

I live in florida, and I bypassed my heater core in my Rialta to see if it would make the AC work better.

I also just bought a Dodge caravan from a private seller. Since I was shipping it to Vermont, and that too had the heater core removed from the water circulation. The heater core was fine, not leaking.

So, rig up something and put 10 lb PSI on it and leave it overnight, see if it leaks.

Kip

I second that plan. No reason to look into replacing the core if it is good. Not uncommon for owners to bypass heater to improve A/C performance.

Get a couple pieces of heater hose, 4 clamps, a 4 way tee, 2 hose barbs, a gauge and a Shrader valve. Makes a quality tool. Good spare parts to have after.