Leaking Antifreeze here
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Where shaft inserts into the plsstic.
I'm leaking Antifreeze where metal shaft inserts into whatever this is. Is this have to do with Htr/AC? Easy fix?
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
That is the heater control valve. If you have an open cooling system you can eliminate that valve simply by using later model heater hoses. That valve is not really needed and the heater and A/C will function normally without it. What year is your XJ?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. Since its a '96. I have an '88 and the heater valve was broken off at at the metal base. I was going to bypass it, but since mine had a vacuum line on it and the auto store did a price match from one I found on line I picked up a Murray for 25.00.
Here is a video on doing bypass, not sure of the year of the jeep he is working on.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. Since its a '96. I have an '88 and the heater valve was broken off at at the metal base. I was going to bypass it, but since mine had a vacuum line on it and the auto store did a price match from one I found on line I picked up a Murray for 25.00.
Here is a video on doing bypass, not sure of the year of the jeep he is working on.
Removing/Deleting HCV (Heater Control Valve) in Cherokee XJ & Comanche MJ - YouTube
Here is a video on doing bypass, not sure of the year of the jeep he is working on.
Removing/Deleting HCV (Heater Control Valve) in Cherokee XJ & Comanche MJ - YouTube
Thanks to djb383 for this:
One thing you may want to consider is removing/eliminating the heater control valve, if you haven't already. '96 down have the HCV, '97 up the Factory eliminated it.
During the warm months, with a HCV, (temp lever/**** never moved off cold) coolant sits and stagnates inside the heater core.....There's no fresh coolant/corrosion protection circulation through the heater core.
With the HCV removed/eliminated, coolant/corrosion protection flows through the heater core constantly when the motor is running, regardless of where the temp lever/**** is set.
Also, you don't have to remember to turn/slide the heat lever/**** when flushing/re-filling the cooling system because coolant is flowing to/through the heater core when the motor is running and the HCV is absent.
Be sure to plug/cap the small vacuum hose when eliminating the HCV.
HCV Removal
The heat is controlled by the blend air door. I've eliminated at least 10 of them here in Arizona and my AC always works perfectly.
Let's not have this thread turn into one of those where folks think theory and conjecture trumps actual field experience which has been proven time and time again, by numerous different people.
It flat works. Period.
I've already stated the other benefits of keeping coolant flowing versus being stagnant in the heater core and the dangers/disastrous results of having one fail unexpectedly whether you're poking around the engine bay or driving down the highway or trail.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Would you need to splice the hoses together like they show in the video or could you just run 97+ hoses to the heater core that fit correctly? Id rather not splice it, and I don't think it would mKe a difference which heater hose is hooked where on the heater core?
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Not on yours.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Excuse the dumb questions. How much antifreeze will I be losing? Do I need to clamp off any other hoses that may spill antifreeze? I never use my A/C so any change in heat adjustment on dash? Thx for the help.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 739
Likes: 6
Year: 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK)
Engine: 3.6 V6
This also something I have been looking at doing, if the '97 hoses will fit without the splice. Should we just tighten the 3/4" hose on the 5/8" side of the heater core ?


