Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Heater core flush?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-09-2010, 04:42 PM
  #1  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
1991Jeep_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Default Heater core flush?

With Fall and Winter in the horizon, I was considering flushing my heater core at a later date. Besides, after cleaning out the overflow bottle and the new rad, I was in need of some new clean coolant. Because I have just replaced my rad, I really dont want to do a full system flush because I dont want any gunk building in my rad. Is it ok to just pull off the two heater core hoses from the t-stat housing and engine and plug a hose into one and have the other in a bucket? I was also just considering replacing to two hoses after I flushed it anyway. I dont want another snowy winter with medium heat lol. The 4.0 runs at 210.. its about time my heater worked with that heat.
Old 08-09-2010, 05:12 PM
  #2  
Member
 
Copytech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ironton Ohio
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

That is how I've always did it. Just make sure that you are back flushing it to get all the gunk out.
Old 08-09-2010, 05:20 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

Go for it, but don't use a pressure washer or anything crazy like that.
Old 08-09-2010, 05:29 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
1991Jeep_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by Bustedback
Go for it, but don't use a pressure washer or anything crazy like that.
Lol, God I can only imagine. Coolant gunk flying out the end like noone's biz, blowing holes in the core. I was just thinking a hose fitting that goes into a tube to slide in the hose. Water from the hose shouldnt hurt the heater core should it? Also, which hose do I need to hook the hose to for a back flush?
Old 08-09-2010, 06:03 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
djb383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Republic of TEXAS
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

Your '91 may have one of those heater core water flow control valves which could be an issue. Any how, our '98 doesn't have that valve so I just disconnected the 5/8" heater hose at the water pump and the 3/4" heater hose at the t-stat housing, stuck the garden hose attachment into the 5/8" hose, stuck the 3/4" hose in a catch bucket and turned on the faucet. Works good and doesn't flush crud from the core into the head/block or rad.
Attached Thumbnails Heater core flush?-002.jpg  
Old 08-09-2010, 07:14 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
1991Jeep_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by djb383
Your '91 may have one of those heater core water flow control valves which could be an issue. Any how, our '98 doesn't have that valve so I just disconnected the 5/8" heater hose at the water pump and the 3/4" heater hose at the t-stat housing, stuck the garden hose attachment into the 5/8" hose, stuck the 3/4" hose in a catch bucket and turned on the faucet. Works good and doesn't flush crud from the core into the head/block or rad.
If my Jeep has one of those control valves, does that mean I cant do the garden hose flush?
Old 08-09-2010, 07:18 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
1991Jeep_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Default

Also, where did you get that little attatchment? I really want one. Lol, CherokeeForum is like a bunch of kids that get together and have toys that every other kid sees and wants. Gotta love it.
Old 08-09-2010, 07:29 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
djb383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Republic of TEXAS
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

I would think most hardware stores, maybe even an auto parts store has the garden hose attachment. Maybe just temporarily bypass the valve with some 5/8" and 3/4" heater hose to do the core flush. Can't get enough toys, right?
Old 08-09-2010, 07:30 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
1991Jeep_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by djb383
I would think most hardware stores, maybe even an auto parts store has the garden hose attachment. Maybe just temporarily bypass the valve with some 5/8" and 3/4" heater hose to do the core flush.
So I take it this valve is fairly easy to get to. Thanks for the help!
Old 08-09-2010, 07:35 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
djb383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Republic of TEXAS
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

I believe it's under the hood, close to the heater core/fire wall, passenger side. Maybe someone will post a pic.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cpnwrench
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
02-15-2024 08:09 AM
jmsummers2012
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
53
04-30-2021 02:35 PM
tleed
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
3
10-04-2015 01:20 PM
bradleyheathhays
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
6
10-03-2015 09:51 PM
Silentj
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
10
10-02-2015 01:24 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Heater core flush?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:25 PM.