AC Evaporator Core Replacement Question
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Southwest Kansas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
AC Evaporator Core Replacement Question
I have searched and haven't found the answer I was looking for, so here goes.
My 1998 XJ needs the evaporator core replaced. I am having this done as I lack the time to do it myself, and also my abilities are not all that good for stuff like this. My XJ has 200,000+ miles on it and I figured that the heater core would probably be a good idea to replace as well when he is in there replacing the evaporator core. He suggested finding out the actuator door as well as he has had these go bad on vehicles he has done AC work on and it also requires undoing the dash.
What do you all think of this and if so, where do I get the part or is there something else I should look at replacing while he is in there?
Thanks in advance for the advice, I do appreciate it.
My 1998 XJ needs the evaporator core replaced. I am having this done as I lack the time to do it myself, and also my abilities are not all that good for stuff like this. My XJ has 200,000+ miles on it and I figured that the heater core would probably be a good idea to replace as well when he is in there replacing the evaporator core. He suggested finding out the actuator door as well as he has had these go bad on vehicles he has done AC work on and it also requires undoing the dash.
What do you all think of this and if so, where do I get the part or is there something else I should look at replacing while he is in there?
Thanks in advance for the advice, I do appreciate it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 338
From: PA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Replacing both cores at the same time makes sense. But if that blend door actuator is working i see no need to replace it just yet. They are easy to get to later if need be. Is he replacing any of the foam seals for the heater box or blower motor? I would. The only other thing i can think of right now is the vacuum line passing thru the firewall to the heater controls. The lines dry out and become brittle with age. That line tends to break at or inside the firewall seal, and there isnt much room to get in there to repair it.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Southwest Kansas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Replacing both cores at the same time makes sense. But if that blend door actuator is working i see no need to replace it just yet. They are easy to get to later if need be. Is he replacing any of the foam seals for the heater box or blower motor? I would. The only other thing i can think of right now is the vacuum line passing thru the firewall to the heater controls. The lines dry out and become brittle with age. That line tends to break at or inside the firewall seal, and there isnt much room to get in there to repair it.
Is that line a formed one or can you just use straight line like you get at the parts store?
Where would you recommend getting the foam seals?
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
The line doesn't need to be a formed one. I would use a similar plastic line just because there is a good possibility of a rubber or silicone one getting pinched - too big for the channel in the HVAC box.
The foam seals look very similar to 1/4" self adhesive foam for houses, like at home depot. Personally I had some closed cell foam used for sound insulation and it worked great.
Make sure they are careful taking the old evap out - the styrofoam underneath it can break up and that would be a pain to fix.
The foam seals look very similar to 1/4" self adhesive foam for houses, like at home depot. Personally I had some closed cell foam used for sound insulation and it worked great.
Make sure they are careful taking the old evap out - the styrofoam underneath it can break up and that would be a pain to fix.
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 13
Model: Cherokee
Definitely do both. I have not had to do it to my XJ but my WK needed a new AC evap and while in there I had them replace the heater core. It is a $1200.00 job to remove the dash on the WK so I just went ahead and spent the extra $75 or so to have them install both.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
My Styrofoam drain pan was so disintegrated and moldy I had to remove it. I couldn't find anything to replace it with so I just left it as-is
I wanted to replace the foam seals but again, couldn't find any replacements so I used foam weatherstrip tape to fill a break in the blower seal and luckily the heater core hose grommet was in OK shape
I would address all of those the first time around because you do NOT want to have to pull the HVAC box twice. Also make sure the blend door operates smoothly after you put the box back together and before you mount the dash back in place
I wanted to replace the foam seals but again, couldn't find any replacements so I used foam weatherstrip tape to fill a break in the blower seal and luckily the heater core hose grommet was in OK shape
I would address all of those the first time around because you do NOT want to have to pull the HVAC box twice. Also make sure the blend door operates smoothly after you put the box back together and before you mount the dash back in place
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
My new (to me) 98 XJ was used as a mouse hotel by the previous owner. When I was pulling nest material out of the dash I discovered they had been living in (and chewing into) the HVAC box. They gnawed almost completely through both blower wires, somehow without being electrocuted. The styrofoam pan had mostly disintegrated.
I pulled a junkyard HVAC box from a 99 XJ and proceeded to rebuild a Frankenstein unit from the best condition components of each. Only after I was done and all sealed up did I notice there was no place to attach my blend door cable. Oops... that’s when I learned the 99-01s have the electric motor. Someone had already nabbed the motor off my junkyard box so I hadn’t noticed the different moldings.
Back to the junkyard to find another 99 XJ - this time I grabbed the motor, hot/cold ****, and electrical harness. Big thanks to CCKen; I relied on his diagrams to wire it up. Works great now.
I pulled a junkyard HVAC box from a 99 XJ and proceeded to rebuild a Frankenstein unit from the best condition components of each. Only after I was done and all sealed up did I notice there was no place to attach my blend door cable. Oops... that’s when I learned the 99-01s have the electric motor. Someone had already nabbed the motor off my junkyard box so I hadn’t noticed the different moldings.
Back to the junkyard to find another 99 XJ - this time I grabbed the motor, hot/cold ****, and electrical harness. Big thanks to CCKen; I relied on his diagrams to wire it up. Works great now.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 20
From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
The heater blend door is a $25 part, just replace it.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1315943&jsn=8
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1315943&jsn=8
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