Have a 2000 Expedition with a leaking heater coil. How do I get to it to change it. Don't really want to mess with the air bag.

go to autozone.com - register - add vehicle and go to repair section for step by step with pics. some are in line with the a/c and freon must be evacuated prior to removing the heater core. does it have a front and rear a/c heater or just one core?

here's the service manual replacement info, sorry air bag will have to be removed along with the steerikng colunm.
this is one of the hardest heater cores to replace, it takes 8 hours to replace and that's for some one who has done it befor.
if you still want to tackel it, i can send the pics that go along with the info to a email ad.
let me know, mws919

Removal and Installation

Removal

WARNING:

Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches. The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

1. Note: Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Disconnect the battery cables.

Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
Disconnect the battery to starter relay cable and wait one minute for the backup power supply to be depleted.

Remove the driver side air bag module.
Remove the two screws.
Disconnect the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
Disconnect the horn electrical connector.
Remove the driver side air bag module
3. Note: Move the shift lever to the 1 position to ease removal.

Carefully pry to release the four clips and remove the steering column opening cover.

Pull to release the three clips and remove the instrument panel fuse door.

Position the hood latch release handle aside.
Remove the screws.
Position the hood latch release handle aside.

Position the parking brake release handle aside.
Remove the screws.
Position the parking brake release handle aside.

Remove the instrument panel floor duct panel.
Remove two push clips and release one expander clip.

Remove the instrument panel steering column cover.
Remove the bolts.
Remove the lower instrument panel steering column cover.

Remove the instrument panel opening cover support.
Remove the nuts.
Remove the instrument panel opening cover support.

Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.
Remove the bolt.
Disconnect the electrical connector.

Remove the transmission range indicator from the steering column.
Remove the bolt.
Remove the indicator.

Remove the steering column shaft bolt.
Remove the steering column shaft pinch bolt.
Slide the intermediate shaft off at the steering column.

Disconnect the electrical connectors.

Lower the steering column.
Remove the nuts.
Lower the steering column.

Disconnect the wiring at the parking brake release switch, if so equipped.

Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column and remove the steering column.
Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column shift tube lever.
Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column instrument panel bracket.
Installation

WARNING:

Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches. The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped) .

Connect the shift cable to the steering column.
Connect the shift cable to the steering column instrument panel bracket.
Connect the shift cable to the shift tube lever.

Connect the wiring at the parking brake release switch, if so equipped.

Position the steering column and install the nuts.

Install the steering column shaft bolt.

Install the electrical connectors.

Install the transmission range indicator.
Install the indicator cable.
Install the bolt.

Connect the ignition switch electrical connector and install the bolt. Tighten to specification.

Position the instrument panel opening cover support and install the nuts.

Install the instrument panel steering column cover.
Position the instrument panel steering column cover.
Install the nuts.

Install the instrument panel floor duct panel.

Install the parking brake release handle.
Position the parking brake release handle.
Install the screws.

Install the hood latch release handle.
Position the hood latch release handle.
Install the screws.

Carefully press the three clips and install the lower instrument panel fuse door.

14. Note: Move the shift lever to the 1 position to ease installation.

Carefully press the four clips and install the steering column opening cover.

Install the driver side air bag module.
Connect the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
Connect the horn electrical connector.
Position the driver side air bag module.
Install the two screws.
Connect the battery cables.
Connect the battery to starter relay cable.
Connect the battery ground cable.

Removal

REMOVAL

CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive to static electrical charges. If exposed to these charges, damage may result.

If equipped with power seats, move the seat fully rearward.
If equipped with adjustable pedal system, move the pedals to the full forward position.
Disconnect the battery cables. For additional information, refer to Battery. WARNING: TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY, THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE REPAIRING OR INSTALLING ANY AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS. TO DEPLETE THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO STARTER RELAY CABLE AND WAIT ONE MINUTE.

Position the Battery Junction Box (BJB) power distribution box aside.
Release the mounting tabs.

Remove the bulkhead electrical connectors from inside the engine compartment.
1 Loosen the bolts.
2 Disconnect the bulkhead electrical connectors.

Remove the bulkhead electrical connector insulator.

Unclip the bulkhead electrical connectors from the dash panel.
If equipped, remove the front floor console. For additional information, refer to Console-Floor, Front.
Remove the lower instrument panel steering column cover. For additional information, refer to Instrument Panel-Steering Column Cover.

Remove the valance panel.
Remove the two pin-type retainers and release the expander clip.

Disconnect the Restraint Control Module (RCM) electrical connector.
1 Release the locking tab.
2 Disconnect the RCM electrical connector.

Release the wiring harness locators.

Disconnect the electronic blend door actuator electrical connector.
Release the wiring harness locators.

Disconnect the climate control head vacuum harness connector.

Remove the LH and RH scuff plates.

Position the LH and RH door weatherstrip seals aside.

Remove the LH and RH A-pillar lower trim panels.

Remove the RH and LH assist handles.
1 Remove the covers and the bolts.
2 Remove the assist handles.

Remove the LH and RH windshield side garnish mouldings.
If equipped, on the LH windshield garnish moulding, disconnect the cellular phone hands-free microphone electrical connector.
NOTE: Release the top attachments by pulling inboard first and then upward to release the lower hook.

Disconnect the Brake Pedal Position (BPP) switch electrical connector.
Release the wiring harness locator.

If equipped, disconnect the adjustable pedal motor electrical connector.

If equipped, disconnect the adjustable pedal motor harness electrical connector.

Remove the (A) radio ground and the (B) Generic Electronic Module (GEM) /Central Timer Module (CTM) ground bolts.

Disconnect the LH instrument panel main wiring harness connectors and bulkhead connector.
1 Loosen the bolt.
2 Disconnect the electrical connectors and the bulkhead connector.

Release the main wiring harness locators.

Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement.
1 Remove the nuts.
2 Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement.

Disconnect the (A) air bag sliding contact electrical connectors and the (B) anti-theft sensor electrical connector.

Disconnect the remaining electrical connectors on the steering column.

Disconnect the transmission range indicator from the steering column.
1 Remove the bolt.
2 Disconnect the cable.

Lower the steering column.
1 Remove the nuts.
2 Lower the steering column.

Remove the instrument panel bolts through the steering column opening.

Remove the instrument panel reinforcement bolt below the LH corner of the cigar lighter and power point.

Disconnect the inertia fuel shutoff switch electrical connector.

Remove the RH ground bolt.

If equipped, disconnect the air suspension switch electrical connector.

Disconnect the RH instrument panel main harness connectors.
Release all the wiring harness locators from the cowl side panel.

Disconnect the blower motor electrical connector.

If equipped, disconnect the Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) hose from the evaporator case.

Disconnect the in-line antenna connector.

Remove the instrument panel relay cover.
1 Remove the instrument panel relay cover.
2 If equipped, disconnect the autolamp sensor electrical connector.
3 If equipped, disconnect the sunload sensor electrical connector.

Remove the glove compartment. For additional information, refer to Glove Compartment.

Remove the passenger side air bag module.
1 Disconnect the electrical connector.
2 Remove the screws.
3 Remove the passenger side air bag module.

WARNING:

ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN REMOVING AND HANDLING AN AIR BAG.
CARRY A LIVE AIR BAG WITH THE BAG AND TRIM COVER POINTED AWAY FROM YOUR BODY. AN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT WILL THEN DEPLOY WITH MINIMAL CHANCE OF INJURY.
PLACE A LIVE AIR BAG ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE WITH THE TRIM COVER UP.

Remove the instrument panel bolts through the passenger side air bag module opening.

Remove the instrument panel bolt on the relay bracket.

Remove the instrument panel reinforcement bolt below the LH corner of the glove compartment.

Loosen the instrument panel floor brace.
1 Remove the upper instrument panel floor brace bolt.
2 Loosen the instrument panel brace bolts and nut.

NOTE: Position the carpet aside.

Remove the RH instrument panel cowl side nut.

Remove the LH instrument panel cowl side nut.

Remove the instrument panel cowl top bolts.
1 Remove the covers.
2 Remove the bolts.

Remove the instrument panel. NOTE:
This step requires an assistant.
Two bullet connectors secure the instrument panel to the bulkhead.

Main Climate Control

REMOVAL

NOTE: If a heater core leak is suspected, the heater core must be leak tested before it is removed from the vehicle.

Disconnect the battery ground cable.
Drain the radiator.
Remove the instrument panel. Refer to: Body and Frame, Interior Trim, Dashboard/Instrument Panel, Service and Repair, Removal and Installation, See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Dashboard / Instrument Panel\Service and Repair\Removal and Installation

Disconnect the heater core hose couplings.

Remove the A/C plenum demister adapter.
1 Remove the screw.
2 Remove the A/C plenum demister adapter.

Disconnect the vacuum line.
Remove the heater core bracket.
1 Remove the two screws.
2 Remove the bracket.
Remove the plenum chamber top.
1 Remove the 13 screws.
2 Remove the plenum chamber top.

Remove the blend door assembly from the case.
Remove the heater core.
INSTALLATION

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

these core are kinda difficult, unless you have some experience. Search around for the best price at a shop.