Hi All,

I have a 1999 Sport with 225,000 miles as my DD and I have come to the conclusion my heater core is leaking. The smell in the cab has been getting steadily worse to the point I crack the windows while driving (even with the air turned off). The windshield also gets pretty fogged above the dash. I have been trying to do some research on replacing but have come across a lot of information and can't decide if I should attempt myself or just take it into a shop. Just wondering if those who have done this themselves were glad they did it or regretted it? I like to do most everything DIY but this one is a little intimidating. Is the recommendation to pull out seats and the center console or to leave in and just loosen the dash? Just looking for additional words of wisdom or any "if I had to do it again advice", before I make a decision.

I have seen some people mention that some of the aftermarket heater cores aren't too great. Are there any good recommendations on replacement brands or is it just worth getting an OEM one from Mopar? I really don't want to go through this process again.

I will go ahead and replace the AC Evaporator as well but was wondering if there is anything else you guys recommend doing while the dash and HVAC box are torn apart?

Lastly, I am thinking about bypassing the heater core and looping the lines together to buy me some time until later this summer. Is this a reasonable temporary fix or could this result in overheating? I have seen some mixed responses on this.

Thanks!
-HCL

 

Lots of people bypass them and leave them that way forever. No problems.

 

The only problem I can see is clearing condensation off the inside of the windshield on damp dewy nights. I've seen cars with little plug-in fans clipped to the sun visor before. After you drain all the coolant from the core, you can probably just use your blower fan, and the A/C should still work.

 

I replaced mine with a Spectra about 5-7 years ago. Still perfectly fine. Job isn't as terrible as people make it out to be either.

 

This guy's 3 part video seems really helpful. I watched all 3 of them because my mechanic said I need an new evaporator and I don't want to shell out the 1200-1400 buck to have him do it.

 

It looks like the Mopar ones actually are discontinued, I must of been coming across some older threads. I think aftermarket aluminums might be the only option.

 

My mechanic found a copper and brass one for me at Leland Radiator.

 

you can these heater cores and 2001-1997 are all the same
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/part...ee/base/40L-L6

 

There's nothing wrong with that at all. If you need to buy some time, do it and don't worry about it.

You do need the loop or you disrupt the normal flow of water in the block. I don't know what horrible things might happen with that (probably the world will end), or if it actually won't hurt, but I would not risk it. The bugger here is that the lines are different sizes - one is 5/8" and one is 3/4", so some kind of adapter is needed. A trip to your local hardware store should fix you up.

Heater hose is cheap, and it's a good excuse to replace them both, so don't hesitate to cut your hoses at a convenient location for the splice.