XJ Heater core

[nostaw]

So, I had my XJ into Lou's today for a pinion seal, which turned into misc maintenance items.

After I left I put the heat on and noticed a distinct oder of anti-freeze (hot grease on the exhaust too, but that was expected).

According to Chris (Lou's mechanic) it is a ~6 hr job (for someone who knows what they're doing) + parts, and I need to have the AC refrigerant purged first (then it becomes an OBA pump!). I am debating if I want to change the heater core myself (or not).

Anyone here had experience with this?

JW

[johnsxj]

Ahhhh..... one of those great repairs where the part doesn't cost too much but the labor.............

Not sure how much better or worse it is on a '97-up with the newer dash layout, 5-6 hours sounds close to right on a pre-'97.

I haven't had to replace one yet, but after tearing down several XJ's I do know the heater box assy is a PITA to remove without breaking a mounting point or two.

[nostaw]

Ugghh... Trying to find a place which will evacuate the AC... Dealer wants $175! Waiting for a local shop to call me back... what a PITA...

Finding a heater core doesn't seem too bad... ~$100 or so... Crown Auto doesn't seem to make one for the '97+ years though...

JW

[Kurt]

RockAuto.com lists two heater cores for your Jeep.
SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 93024 $35.79
VISTA-PRO Part # 399233 $45.79

Autozone also has the SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 93024 but they want $64.99 for it.
Advanced has a Ready-Air PN 399233 for $64.99

Rockauto.com usually has great prices.
I buy a number of Dodge, Toyota & Jeep parts from them.
Quick reasonable shipping too.

[ZAEDOCK]

Sometimes you can find RockAuto discount codes too.

[nostaw]

Thanks for the tip... Will check them out. I'm going to go probe the vents with my boroscope and see if I can get an idea of where the leak is / how bad it is.

JW

[nostaw]

Things that make you go 'Hmmm'....

So, I fired up the XJ in the garage, let it run for a bit, and turned the heat on high... Couldn't smell any coolant with my nose in the footwell vents. Took it across town to look at a storage garage for the winter and didn't get a smell on the way there or back. It was blowing hot air though...

So, now I'm not so sure about the heater core.

JW

[Scott]

When the heater core in my truck went, I started smelling coolant intermittently for a couple months before I decided to change it out. It never did leak out anywhere, just a slight weep.
Lucky for me, it was about an hour job (taking my time) and pretty easy. Only hang up was the parts store gave my the wrong core. I ended up at Autozone and they stocked the correct one. go figure!

[Kurt]

You may want to check the hose connections to the core. Sometimes they can leak there and the coolant will then follow the core line and drip into the heater box or the passengers compartment.

[nostaw]

When the heater core in my truck went, I started smelling coolant intermittently for a couple months before I decided to change it out. It never did leak out anywhere, just a slight weep.

If it is just an occasional weep, I think I can live with it... I wish I could locate it. I couldn't get my boroscope inside the heater box to look for residue... Wasn't really a good direct path in...

You may want to check the hose connections to the core. Sometimes they can leak there and the coolant will then follow the core line and drip into the heater box or the passengers compartment.

That is a good thought... I haven't noticed any drips on the garage floor, but it may not make it that far.

I need to look at that area anyway... When I convert the A/C compressor I'm thinking I'll be able to fit a 1 gal Viair tank under the hood where the AC dryer module and hoses are against the firewall.

JW

[Scott]

John, I think you jinxed me! Went outside today and noticed a wet spot in front of my truck under the radiator. Turned out to be a loose clamp on the heater hose.

[zenophryk]

I had a core go on a 2000 blazer. started out small (just a smell), then it went away for about a month, then got worse. soon it was fogging up the windows.
That was $50 ish for the core and my mechanic said 14 hours by the book. he also said the book was optimistic.
I got it done is a weekend. didn't have to mess with the AC. Major jigsaw puzzle getting the dash off. that was most of the time.

[nostaw]

I had a core go on a 2000 blazer. started out small (just a smell), then it went away for about a month, then got worse. soon it was fogging up the windows.
That was $50 ish for the core and my mechanic said 14 hours by the book. he also said the book was optimistic.
I got it done is a weekend. didn't have to mess with the AC. Major jigsaw puzzle getting the dash off. that was most of the time.

Unfortunately everything I'm reading about my XJ indicates the A/C has to be drained... Fortunately that shouldn't be too hard to do at U-Do-It.

Looks like most of the dash has to come out to do it too...

JW

[nostaw]

RockAuto.com lists two heater cores for your Jeep.
SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 93024 $35.79
VISTA-PRO Part # 399233 $45.79

Autozone also has the SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 93024 but they want $64.99 for it.
Advanced has a Ready-Air PN 399233 for $64.99

Rockauto.com usually has great prices.
I buy a number of Dodge, Toyota & Jeep parts from them.
Quick reasonable shipping too.

I ordered the Spectra brand from Rock today.... I paid an extra $10 for 3-day shipping... Hopefully I get it by Friday.

Called Napa and AutoZone stores and checked the price/availability... They all sell the same exact part/brand.

JW

[zenophryk]

kinda late I know, but I have one kicking around that you're welcome to. if it were an easy changeout then I would probably not care if I used a Used core, but with that much work I would probably want new anyways.

I also have a bunch of heater box parts, like vaccume actuators and such, if you need them once you get it open.