My ACTUAL Evaporator/Heater Core Removal/Installation Thread..... - Page 2

insurrection151 · 08-26-2008, 09:03 PM

Awesome write-up!

This will definitely make the replacment ALOT easier for everyone who needs to do the job. This is the best write-up I've seen. It certainly would have helped me when I did mine about 6 weeks ago. I didn't end up dissassembling quite as much stuff as you did, but I definitey see how getting it all "out of the way" made the removal of the HVAC box easier.

xjguy98 · 08-27-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheese1

So did you salvage it or did you have to go back in

I hope not as I know how much this job sucks....but on the other hand the more you do it the better you get at it

I've been too busy with work and the house lately to worry about it. I bought a 3/4" 90 degree PVC elbow from Home Depot and plugged it in to the heater core hoses to kinda bypass it so I could drive at least. No heat but who needs heat in August right?

I'm hoping to get started again on it tomorrow morning if I get a chance and hopefully it'll be done by tomorrow night....then no more dash removal for me.....EVER

AngryBassets · 09-16-2008, 01:59 PM

Awesome writeup. I'm dreading when mine finally goes (as I'm suuuure it will).

As for the heater core leak: remove and re-seat the heater hoses on the bungs that protrude from the firewall, and TIGHTEN the screw-clamps.

I replaced a core in my old YJ for no reason because of this! Granted, a YJ core is alot easier, but I had no clue what I was doing, and this was pre-internet/JU/JF/whatever (~1995).

kadetklapp · 09-16-2008, 02:21 PM

ZOMFG this looks like a royal PITA. I'd just assume drive around with no heat than go through all that garbage. What a crock...

AZ Jeff · 09-16-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadetklapp

ZOMFG this looks like a royal PITA. I'd just assume drive around with no heat than go through all that garbage. What a crock...

Unless you live in the part of Indiana down by the Ohio River, I bet you change your mind in about January, when you are scraping ice off the INSIDE of the windows due to lack of heat.

I have been in that position (due to a PLUGGED heater core), and let me tell you, it's NO fun.

Living without AC is feasible. Living without heat (in the northern 2/3 of the US) is pretty much impossible in the winter.

BigSki · 11-15-2008, 05:40 PM

thanks so much for a great write up and for so many helpful pics. I just started tearing apart my XJ today to replace the heater core, but at the advice of the commerical parts supply house, I'll also be replacing the evap core at the same time. After seeing the pics, it looks like the blower motor is only accessable when the HVAC box is out, so I'll replace that part as well.

I don't have a FSM, so my plan was to just use my VW experience and just figure things out as I go along. ( VW's from 1993 to present also require the full dash to be removed for heater core replacement). I wouldn't have thought about removing the seats, but now I see what a good idea it is.

I hope other people will find your write up as useful as I have.

mfinkler · 11-16-2008, 08:25 AM

Does the whole dash need to come out for pre 97's? That is one crazy design. I can see now why I've heard shops quoting upwards of 1000 bucks for this job.

robsjeepxj · 11-16-2008, 09:12 AM

Why did you change the accumulator? Was there something wrong with it, should it be changed for some reason? And lastly if you change both you said to put in 6 oz total of oil? My A/C leak too and they say it's the Evap. but I have yet to work up the will/care/decide to start doing something about it.

xjguy98 · 11-16-2008, 02:25 PM

The blower motor can come out/be changed without having to do any of the dash removal or anything. The accumulator was replaced just because. I had the system open to the elements for about a week so the dessicant bag in the accumulator was probly shot anyway.

AZ Jeff · 11-16-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsjeepxj

Why did you change the accumulator? Was there something wrong with it, should it be changed for some reason? And lastly if you change both you said to put in 6 oz total of oil? My A/C leak too and they say it's the Evap. but I have yet to work up the will/care/decide to start doing something about it.

it's considered wise practice to replace the accumulator (with it's dessicant) any time you have the system opened up for long periods such as when replacing major components.

xjguy98 · 11-17-2008, 03:16 PM

I'm convinced my A/C hates me.....after all that this summer, I finally got the heater core changed back out and everything buttoned back up, A/C charged and boy did it ever blow nice and cold.....for about three days then my condenser packed it in......back to square 1....I left it though cuz it was September and I couldn't justify spending MORE money on A/C at that time of year.....it'll wait until the spring

Aldous · 12-08-2008, 06:15 PM

Unfortunately this is way out of my league. My regular Jeep mech doesn't even do them, takes them to a referral shop.
What would be a fair price to pay?
I'm in Denver.

Trying a flush with additives and refill but not holding out too much hope. 130,000 miles 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 liter. Blows cold air until about 30 minutes go by then luke warm on low setting. Enough to keep it above freezing for now, but planning ahead, don't know if I'll make it through Winter. Storm chasing skier to make matters worse.

Thanks

Aldous · 12-09-2008, 06:22 PM

fyi, I had good luck with the solvent. Let it run for 150 miles over 3 days. Backflushed the heater core from both sides. Large difference before and after, both in temperature of the hoses and the air in the cabin. Absolutely recommend it for anyone who has a slowly clogging core.

I don't expect it to last forever though, hope it gets me through the Winter. So still curious what a fair price is.

Grant Miller · 12-09-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfinkler

Does the whole dash need to come out for pre 97's?

I'd like to know the answer to this one as well. Does anyone know? I'm in the market for an XJ, and if the 96 and earlier were easier to put a heater core in, it may influence my decision.....

AZ Jeff · 12-10-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant Miller

I'd like to know the answer to this one as well. Does anyone know? I'm in the market for an XJ, and if the 96 and earlier were easier to put a heater core in, it may influence my decision.....

The Pre-97 heater core R&R procedure is pretty much the same as that for the later models.

09-16-2008, 01:59 PM	#18
AngryBassets Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 251 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Awesome writeup. I'm dreading when mine finally goes (as I'm suuuure it will). As for the heater core leak: remove and re-seat the heater hoses on the bungs that protrude from the firewall, and TIGHTEN the screw-clamps. I replaced a core in my old YJ for no reason because of this! Granted, a YJ core is alot easier, but I had no clue what I was doing, and this was pre-internet/JU/JF/whatever (~1995). __________________ stale milk white 97 Police Package XJ (former FD gofer vehicle) bought in 11/08 w/ 41.6k95 YJ 4cyl/5spd summer beater *********************************** Past Jeeps:97 XJ Sport 6cyl/auto, 00 TJ 6cyl/auto,95 YJ 4cyl/5spd 95 XJ SE 6cyl/auto, 93 YJ 4cyl/5spd

11-15-2008, 05:40 PM	#21
BigSki Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: a house Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	thanks so much for a great write up and for so many helpful pics. I just started tearing apart my XJ today to replace the heater core, but at the advice of the commerical parts supply house, I'll also be replacing the evap core at the same time. After seeing the pics, it looks like the blower motor is only accessable when the HVAC box is out, so I'll replace that part as well. I don't have a FSM, so my plan was to just use my VW experience and just figure things out as I go along. ( VW's from 1993 to present also require the full dash to be removed for heater core replacement). I wouldn't have thought about removing the seats, but now I see what a good idea it is. I hope other people will find your write up as useful as I have.

11-16-2008, 08:25 AM	#22
mfinkler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: georgia Posts: 161 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Does the whole dash need to come out for pre 97's? That is one crazy design. I can see now why I've heard shops quoting upwards of 1000 bucks for this job.

12-08-2008, 06:15 PM	#27
Aldous Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 5 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Unfortunately this is way out of my league. My regular Jeep mech doesn't even do them, takes them to a referral shop. What would be a fair price to pay? I'm in Denver. Trying a flush with additives and refill but not holding out too much hope. 130,000 miles 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 liter. Blows cold air until about 30 minutes go by then luke warm on low setting. Enough to keep it above freezing for now, but planning ahead, don't know if I'll make it through Winter. Storm chasing skier to make matters worse. Thanks

12-09-2008, 06:22 PM	#28
Aldous Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 5 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	fyi, I had good luck with the solvent. Let it run for 150 miles over 3 days. Backflushed the heater core from both sides. Large difference before and after, both in temperature of the hoses and the air in the cabin. Absolutely recommend it for anyone who has a slowly clogging core. I don't expect it to last forever though, hope it gets me through the Winter. So still curious what a fair price is.