Thanks for all the input!

Assuming that I do need to replace the heater core, are there brands I should avoid, or one that is highly recommended I use?

 

No problem. I hope it's just a loose hose connection.

I haven't seen any preferred brands mentioned. I know Spectra Premium radiators are very popular here. Running one myself. They also manufacture heater cores. Furrydogs recently replaced his. Hopefully he'll check back with some info.

 

Got my heater core at NAPA, have no idea who manufactured it. Bought the A/C Evaporator from Amazon, I think it was a UAC. I'd honestly stick with your original evap and just replace the heater core.

 

Are the inexpensive ones on rockauto.com not good?

 

I just did NAPA because it was local and someone mentioned they might be a little better quality. I have nothing to prove that.

 

Looks like NAPA h/c's at least for the XJ's are made by Spectra. So Rock Auto will be cheaper with their Spectra's.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NHS6...ut=heater+core

 

On a side note, Rock Auto won't deliver to my address anymore because they don't have a way to collect local taxes yet. I was really bummed as I have used them quite a bit. Had to use Amazon instead for my evap.

 

That something new? Haven't ordered from the in a while. Hope it's not that way here now.

 

The original heater core was brass and copper. Many of the ones out there now are aluminum and if you do a search, many folks say they have a very short lifespan. Some have reported that the core is listed as brass/copper online but after ordering, an aluminum one arrives.

I'm about to tackle this same project on my '99 and I found these brass and copper ones @ Superior. Just ordered today so no first hand experience yet. I called and spoke with them before ordering, they asssured me it is brass/copper.

https://www.superiorcooling.co/catal...lt/?q=Cherokee

 

Thanks for the info! SIGNIFICANT price difference...

 

All y'all replacing heater cores, after you do all that work make sure you turn your heat on at least monthly and let the fluid circulate. That, in addition to keeping the radiator cap closed as much as possible, and changing radiator fluid at the proper interval or sooner.

 

I just ran into that on this project. I had to have them ship to friend outside the city.

 

I went with a Spectra but if I had to do over wold of spent more money and bought a copper one just for piece of mind.

 

Subbed for updates. My H/C is leaking a little, no vapor but I can smell coolant during warmup. I’m going to be doing a thorough cooling system flush, followed by a good dose of the best stop-leak I can find. I want to avoid that damn heater core job as long as possible...lol.

 

The heater core on my 1998 leaks, and will get repaired someday. My plan is to take it, as well as the evap core to a local radiator shop, and have them rebuild the oem brass goodies. The sucky part is the a/c has blown cold for years. That being said, i won't do all that work gaining access, and then leave something that will likely need a replacement at some point.