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.

Bad heater Core Help !

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 14, 2010 | 09:24 PM
  #1  
hitalonit's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
Default Bad heater Core Help !

so guys ... driving home today i found my self sitting on the side of the e-way.. my jeep over heated and it was because of the heater core i belive.when i turned on the heat smoke inside the car and coolant inside on the floor.. i manged to tow it home and we bypassed the heater core for now tg.. i can still drive her but i heard i have to take the dash apart to replace the core.... any one have to do this as of late and can give me some tips ?
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2010 | 09:53 PM
  #2  
rich's Avatar
Registered Users
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 4
From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Yes you can drive it as long as the two heater hoses connect back to one another like you said, and from what I know of this job its a royal pita,but hopefully someone will stop by while you are using the search function and shed some light on that subject,but your fine to drive.
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2010 | 10:28 PM
  #3  
hitalonit's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
Default

Originally Posted by rich
Yes you can drive it as long as the two heater hoses connect back to one another like you said, and from what I know of this job its a royal pita,but hopefully someone will stop by while you are using the search function and shed some light on that subject,but your fine to drive.
thanks .. i know i couldnt find anything on the search button lol .... umm its driving fine as of now but if im tearing the dash board apart to do it i mind as well rid of the dummy lights as well
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2010 | 10:38 PM
  #4  
rich's Avatar
Registered Users
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 4
From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Yes you could throw the full set of gauges in it.I think 97 thru 01 will work but again get that verifid cause Im not 100 percent on it.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 07:53 AM
  #5  
hitalonit's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
Default

does this seem to be about the gist of stuff to do for it ?

discharge A/C system
unhook battery.
drain cooling system
disconnect heater hoses, inlet and outlet.
remove consul. place all nuts bolts and screws seprate from everything else! mark them as, (consul hardware)
remove electrical connectors from blower motor. label connector with tape. (blower motor)
open airbox, remove lines from evaporator. be careful NOT to hurt the evaporator.
pull PCM away from firewall, DO NOT DISCONNECT WIRES!
now, disconnect all hoses and wires from air box assembly. NOTE: label all electrical connectors with tape, and name it where ever it came from, use color coding.

remove heater core from box.


replace everything as you took it out.

recharge A/C system with approved, proper refrigerant, ensure oild is replaced also.

i would recommend getting it recharged at a shop. and let them figure out how much oil you lost. cause if it breaks, its on them.


Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:34 AM
  #6  
Catmechanic's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Year: 2001/1996
Model: Cherokee
Default

Just did both heater core and evaporator core in my 2001 about 3 weeks ago. It's really not as bad of a job as it seems. If you give me your e-mail I can send you PDF files of the sections of the manual you need to do the job.

I would recommend replacing the evaporator while you're in there also. They tend to be leak prone and it's right next to the heater core. My evaporator was leaking but I did the heater core also since I was there. I found the evaporator cheapest at NAPA and the heater core was lower priced at O'Reilly. You will need disconnect tools to unhook the A/C lines, I think they are around $20 at NAPA. If you replace the evap, you will need to add the proper oil. If I remember right I think it was 2 oz of PAG oil. The decal under your hood that lists the refrigerant charge has the proper type of oil listed and the HVAC section in the manual lists the amount.

A little tip to keep from making any bigger antifreeze or oil mess inside the Jeep when you remove the heater box. Pump enough grease from your grease gun into the tubes of the cores to seal the liquid in, then push it a bit with a wad of paper towel to keep the grease in. DON'T do this if you plan to reuse either core, you'll never get all the grease out.

If you want the PDF's sent let me know before about 3pm today. I'm working out of town this week and I don't know if the campground I'll be at has internet available.

Jim
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:49 AM
  #7  
ol"blue's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 6
From: Tenn. and Mich.
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Exclamation

Hey Angelo, I sent you a PM. Hope it's helpful.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:55 AM
  #8  
jigly's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by ol"blue
Hey Angelo, I sent you a PM. Hope it's helpful.

I'm replying to your post.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:57 AM
  #9  
ol"blue's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 6
From: Tenn. and Mich.
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

Originally Posted by jigly
I'm replying to your post.
My PM had repair info that couldn't be posted here.
What was your post replying to?
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 09:33 AM
  #10  
96_xj's Avatar
Honorary Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,135
Likes: 16
From: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
Default

here is all of the work involved in replacing the heater core

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/we...-2-door-53298/
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 10:24 AM
  #11  
hitalonit's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
Default

whoo looks like this is going to be a weekend dealio.....

parts needed

1. new heater core
2. new speedo from junk yard
3. 2-3 cases of beer
4. 1 friend lol

thanks for all the help guys ... love this site .. i will post pics when doing the progress
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 12:52 PM
  #12  
lurk520's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 504
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Year: 2002
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Originally Posted by 96_xj
here is all of the work involved in replacing the heater core

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/we...-2-door-53298/
Wow that's scary. I've been working on getting my AC back together, I've already put on 500$ in new parts, gotta get it to a shop to have the system vacuumed out and pressure tested, I'm DREADING the EVAPORATOR will leak. I'd like to meet the A-Hole who designed this system.....

Last edited by lurk520; Aug 15, 2010 at 01:14 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 03:29 PM
  #13  
ol"blue's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 6
From: Tenn. and Mich.
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

I assume you've got someone to help you Angelo?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 05:38 AM
  #14  
hitalonit's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
Default

Originally Posted by ol"blue
I assume you've got someone to help you Angelo?
possibly i have a couple buddies who r mechanics but they are always busy.. maybe recruit my dad... but idk
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 01:57 PM
  #15  
ol"blue's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 6
From: Tenn. and Mich.
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

Originally Posted by hitalonit
possibly i have a couple buddies who r mechanics but they are always busy.. maybe recruit my dad... but idk
Here's a write-up that might give you some more help. My ACTUAL Evaporator/Heater Core Removal/Installation Thread..... - JeepForum.com
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:32 AM.