2002 Air Nautique Heater Core... how to get at and change out

[DBattt]

Any advise on how to change out the Heater Core? Is it easy or difficult best left for marina mechanic?

[wakejunky]

It's all about access. They were put behind the driver's kick panel and not necessarily hard to get to, just need to pull panels. Don't buy a heater craft core. Do a search, you can get a replacement from a local autoparts store. If I remember correctly, it's a heater core off a mid 70's Lincoln. Do a search and it'll pop up.

[Quinner]

Getting the kick panel back in place is probably the hardest part of the job and it's only 4 screws. I would say overall a pretty simple task if you have some mechanical ability. Beware if you get a close fit from the Napa/Parts store the existing box may need to be trimmed just a bit. Do a bit of searching here and on CCFan, plenty of documented replacements with Pics out there and I would bet even part no's

[DBattt]

OK, This will sound stupid, but what is the purpose of the heater core? Is it solely for the heater in cold weather or is there another function that is important to the running of the boat? In other words, is this a mandatory/operational item or can I bypass it and it won't impact the running of the boat or impact the engine?

[Quinner]

Do you ever use the heater on your boat? If not then bypass and move on.

[wakejunky]

I had a heater core go out on me a few years back and I had hot water all over my driver's floor I put valve on the hot hose coming from the block so if it happens again I can just close the valve at the engine

[DLafont]

Mine failed a few summers ago, I accessed the core from one of the storage areas in the bow, removed the hoses from the core, used a connector to join them and problem was solved. Turned out to be a crappy summer with cool weather and would've loved to have the heater, but we just bundled up...