heater coil

All,

This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
available?

Steve

The good news is AutoZone has a lifetime guaranteed one for less than $50

The bad news is you have to remove the dashboard.

The worse news is if you have air conditioning it is much more involved.


"sws" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> All,
>
> This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
> cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
> box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
> myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
> available?
>
> Steve
>

sws wrote:
> All,
>
> This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
> cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
> box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
> myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
> available?

From what I can tell it isn't an easy job. Lots of things have to
come apart to get at the core. At least on the 93 ZJ it requires
removing the entire dashboard and disconnecting the AC plumbing
(which means a trip to have the AC pumped out and refilled)

First thing to do is to make sure it's not a leaking hose right
at the firewall that's wicking into the cab. A heater core leaking
in the AC system usually runs out the AC drain hose.

And in the mean time you can simply route one of the hoses back
or splice the two togheter to cut out the heater core.

1997 - 2001 are the OEM price from chryslerpartsdirect.com
is US$177.06

NAPA has it for $64, but it's a basic part, probably good
but considering the effort it takes to replace a core, I'd
go for the OEM.

If you have a dealer do it, be prepared for a big bill.
(>1,000) for just the time.

--
DougW

"DougW" > wrote in message
news:%k_Rg.7659$iA5.3232@dukeread11...
> sws wrote:
>> All,
>>
>> This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
>> cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
>> box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
>> myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
>> available?
>
> From what I can tell it isn't an easy job. Lots of things have to
> come apart to get at the core. At least on the 93 ZJ it requires
> removing the entire dashboard and disconnecting the AC plumbing
> (which means a trip to have the AC pumped out and refilled)
>
> First thing to do is to make sure it's not a leaking hose right
> at the firewall that's wicking into the cab. A heater core leaking
> in the AC system usually runs out the AC drain hose.
>
> And in the mean time you can simply route one of the hoses back
> or splice the two togheter to cut out the heater core.
>
> 1997 - 2001 are the OEM price from chryslerpartsdirect.com
> is US$177.06
>
> NAPA has it for $64, but it's a basic part, probably good
> but considering the effort it takes to replace a core, I'd
> go for the OEM.
>
> If you have a dealer do it, be prepared for a big bill.
> (>1,000) for just the time.
>
> --
> DougW
>
after you replace the core,be sure everything electrical has a good
ground.And put a ground wire on the core itself.Even trace voltage of less
than 1 volt can cause electrolysis in aluminum heater cores.
I went through 3 on my gmc Sonoma before I found that out.

digitalmaster wrote:
> "DougW" > wrote in message
> news:%k_Rg.7659$iA5.3232@dukeread11...
> > sws wrote:
> >> All,
> >>
> >> This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
> >> cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
> >> box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
> >> myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
> >> available?
> >
> > From what I can tell it isn't an easy job. Lots of things have to
> > come apart to get at the core. At least on the 93 ZJ it requires
> > removing the entire dashboard and disconnecting the AC plumbing
> > (which means a trip to have the AC pumped out and refilled)
> >
> > First thing to do is to make sure it's not a leaking hose right
> > at the firewall that's wicking into the cab. A heater core leaking
> > in the AC system usually runs out the AC drain hose.
> >
> > And in the mean time you can simply route one of the hoses back
> > or splice the two togheter to cut out the heater core.
> >
> > 1997 - 2001 are the OEM price from chryslerpartsdirect.com
> > is US$177.06
> >
> > NAPA has it for $64, but it's a basic part, probably good
> > but considering the effort it takes to replace a core, I'd
> > go for the OEM.
> >
> > If you have a dealer do it, be prepared for a big bill.
> > (>1,000) for just the time.
> >
> > --
> > DougW
> >
> after you replace the core,be sure everything electrical has a good
> ground.And put a ground wire on the core itself.Even trace voltage of less
> than 1 volt can cause electrolysis in aluminum heater cores.
> I went through 3 on my gmc Sonoma before I found that out.

Thanks to all who replied!

I paid $4000 for the Jeep, had a head gasket leak, spent $600 on that
and new water pump, radiator...now this. Starting to wonder if this car
was a good deal or not. Thanks again!
sws

Well, there's your problem. You're calling it a "car", and it's insulted!

Clint

"sws" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> digitalmaster wrote:
>> "DougW" > wrote in message
>> news:%k_Rg.7659$iA5.3232@dukeread11...
>> > sws wrote:
>> >> All,
>> >>
>> >> This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
>> >> cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
>> >> box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
>> >> myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
>> >> available?
>> >
>> > From what I can tell it isn't an easy job. Lots of things have to
>> > come apart to get at the core. At least on the 93 ZJ it requires
>> > removing the entire dashboard and disconnecting the AC plumbing
>> > (which means a trip to have the AC pumped out and refilled)
>> >
>> > First thing to do is to make sure it's not a leaking hose right
>> > at the firewall that's wicking into the cab. A heater core leaking
>> > in the AC system usually runs out the AC drain hose.
>> >
>> > And in the mean time you can simply route one of the hoses back
>> > or splice the two togheter to cut out the heater core.
>> >
>> > 1997 - 2001 are the OEM price from chryslerpartsdirect.com
>> > is US$177.06
>> >
>> > NAPA has it for $64, but it's a basic part, probably good
>> > but considering the effort it takes to replace a core, I'd
>> > go for the OEM.
>> >
>> > If you have a dealer do it, be prepared for a big bill.
>> > (>1,000) for just the time.
>> >
>> > --
>> > DougW
>> >
>> after you replace the core,be sure everything electrical has a good
>> ground.And put a ground wire on the core itself.Even trace voltage of
>> less
>> than 1 volt can cause electrolysis in aluminum heater cores.
>> I went through 3 on my gmc Sonoma before I found that out.
>
> Thanks to all who replied!
>
> I paid $4000 for the Jeep, had a head gasket leak, spent $600 on that
> and new water pump, radiator...now this. Starting to wonder if this car
> was a good deal or not. Thanks again!
> sws
>

sws wrote:

> I paid $4000 for the Jeep, had a head gasket leak, spent $600 on that
> and new water pump, radiator...now this. Starting to wonder if this
> car was a good deal or not. Thanks again!

That's the problem with used cars, you never know how it was kept.

Then again you don't have to watch a 25,000 investment with 8,000 in
additional parts, bluebook at 2,000 either. :/

Look at it as an excuse to increase your tool collection and fill
up a website.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Steve I found a doc. I wrote to someone who wanted to replace their
evaporator. The heater core is in the heater box, and I replaced mine
when I replaced the evaporator. You might think about doing the same
because you will have to get the AC evacuated and recharged. Hope this
helps Dave

On 25 Sep 2006 17:00:25 -0700, "sws" > wrote:

>All,
>
>This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
>cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
>box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
>myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
>available?
>
>Steve

Dave, this is a text only group. My server even cut your attachment
post right out. You need to store the doc someplace and post a link to
it.

Lots of us use alt.binaries.pictures.autos.4x4 for binaries and
attachments. It is a seldom used group.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dave wrote:
>
> Steve I found a doc. I wrote to someone who wanted to replace their
> evaporator. The heater core is in the heater box, and I replaced mine
> when I replaced the evaporator. You might think about doing the same
> because you will have to get the AC evacuated and recharged. Hope this
> helps Dave
>
> On 25 Sep 2006 17:00:25 -0700, "sws" > wrote:
>
> >All,
> >
> >This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
> >cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
> >box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
> >myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
> >available?
> >
> >Steve

Clint wrote:
> Well, there's your problem. You're calling it a "car", and it's insulted!
>
> Clint
>
> "sws" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > digitalmaster wrote:
> >> "DougW" > wrote in message
> >> news:%k_Rg.7659$iA5.3232@dukeread11...
> >> > sws wrote:
> >> >> All,
> >> >>
> >> >> This morning I noticed anti-freeze on the passenger side of my 97 jeep
> >> >> cherokee...I'm told it's the heater coil leaking behind the glove
> >> >> box...thank goodness I have rubber floor mats...can I replace this
> >> >> myself, or do I need a backyard mechanic...any cost estimates
> >> >> available?
> >> >
> >> > From what I can tell it isn't an easy job. Lots of things have to
> >> > come apart to get at the core. At least on the 93 ZJ it requires
> >> > removing the entire dashboard and disconnecting the AC plumbing
> >> > (which means a trip to have the AC pumped out and refilled)
> >> >
> >> > First thing to do is to make sure it's not a leaking hose right
> >> > at the firewall that's wicking into the cab. A heater core leaking
> >> > in the AC system usually runs out the AC drain hose.
> >> >
> >> > And in the mean time you can simply route one of the hoses back
> >> > or splice the two togheter to cut out the heater core.
> >> >
> >> > 1997 - 2001 are the OEM price from chryslerpartsdirect.com
> >> > is US$177.06
> >> >
> >> > NAPA has it for $64, but it's a basic part, probably good
> >> > but considering the effort it takes to replace a core, I'd
> >> > go for the OEM.
> >> >
> >> > If you have a dealer do it, be prepared for a big bill.
> >> > (>1,000) for just the time.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > DougW
> >> >
> >> after you replace the core,be sure everything electrical has a good
> >> ground.And put a ground wire on the core itself.Even trace voltage of
> >> less
> >> than 1 volt can cause electrolysis in aluminum heater cores.
> >> I went through 3 on my gmc Sonoma before I found that out.
> >
> > Thanks to all who replied!
> >
> > I paid $4000 for the Jeep, had a head gasket leak, spent $600 on that
> > and new water pump, radiator...now this. Starting to wonder if this car
> > was a good deal or not. Thanks again!
> > sws
> >

Okay, now I'm learning about the emotions of Jeeps! I will forever
pray to the Jeep Gods that I never refer to my Jeep as a CAR!