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.

How do i clear the heater core hoses to try and fix heat?

Old Sep 16, 2014 | 08:50 PM
  #1  
Ye Ol' Cherokee's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6
Post How do i clear the heater core hoses to try and fix heat?

My floorboards arent wet and i dont lose any coolant, yet my heat barely gets luke warm.

I have done tons of searching on how to backwash the heater core hoses from both sides or something, but after looking at all of those posts, i still have no idea what anybody is talking about.

Im deffinitely not a newbie, but i dont do much with any cooling system, so if anybody could explain in detail/give me some steps/show me a picture or anything, i would really appreciate it.

Last winter sucked, i still shiver some times thinking about how cold it was driving in the morning. Dont wanna go through that again.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2014 | 09:13 PM
  #2  
djb383's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

Disconnect the heater hoses at the water pump and t-stat cover. Stick a garden hose in the heater hose that was connected to the water pump and flush. Stick the garden hose in the other heater hose and flush. Repeat several times.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 08:25 AM
  #3  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

VERIFY.

How hot is each heater hose at the firewall in comparison to the radiator hoses when the Jeep is warmed up?
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 08:30 AM
  #4  
mitch500's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton,Canada
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
VERIFY.

How hot is each heater hose at the firewall in comparison to the radiator hoses when the Jeep is warmed up?

Not to thread hijack, but I'm about to do
The same thing with my girlfriends 96xj. Heat is horrible In the winter. Was planning on bypassing the heater junction valve, replacing thermostat with 190* and flushing the core.

I remember feeling the heater hoses on her xj last year and the temp to touch felt the same going in to heater core as it did coming out.... Cannot verify if it was equal to the larger coolant hoses..
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 08:34 AM
  #5  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by mitch500
Not to thread hijack, but I'm about to do
The same thing with my girlfriends 96xj. Heat is horrible In the winter. Was planning on bypassing the heater junction valve, replacing thermostat with 190* and flushing the core.

I remember feeling the heater hoses on her xj last year and the temp to touch felt the same going in to heater core as it did coming out.... Cannot verify if it was equal to the larger coolant hoses..
Good points.

The heater control valve can cause issues. There is NO downside in removing them and plugging their vacuum line. They are actually prone to imminent failure and large loss of coolant. Who needs that?

Having the correct thermostat is also important.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
djb383's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

If both heater hoses at the firewall r really hot to touch (about the same as the top rad hose) and the heater is still weak, the problem is most likely with the blend door inside the HVAC box under the dash.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 05:16 PM
  #7  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by djb383
If both heater hoses at the firewall r really hot to touch (about the same as the top rad hose) and the heater is still weak, the problem is most likely with the blend door inside the HVAC box under the dash.
Correct.

And here's where to adjust it.
Attached Thumbnails How do i clear the heater core hoses to try and fix heat?-blend-door-cable.jpg  
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 06:31 PM
  #8  
mitch500's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton,Canada
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Correct.



And here's where to adjust it.

Any procedure to adjust it? Or is it pretty self explanatory once I look there....

I'm going to give this a shot when I get home from work... Maybe it will save me from the work I mentioned before
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 06:33 PM
  #9  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by mitch500
Any procedure to adjust it? Or is it pretty self explanatory once I look there....

I'm going to give this a shot when I get home from work... Maybe it will save me from the work I mentioned before
Pretty self explanatory. There's a stop for the lever.

Undo the clip holding the cable housing and and move as needed.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 06:44 PM
  #10  
FruitSnacks's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 854
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Make sure you don't have these issues either

Fan speed switch:

How do i clear the heater core hoses to try and fix heat?-forumrunner_20140917_184240.png

Rear of hvac panel with chunks broken off:

How do i clear the heater core hoses to try and fix heat?-forumrunner_20140917_184332.png
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MidwestNick
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
10
Feb 28, 2016 02:05 AM
shelby5041
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
39
Nov 7, 2015 01:22 AM
Dannymac1216
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
Sep 8, 2015 06:28 AM
lozo63
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
2
Sep 3, 2015 05:25 PM
Hewittxj
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
4
Sep 3, 2015 08:48 AM

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

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:50 AM.