Heater Core Leaking....need to replace?

RenegadeKC · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 6:19 pm

Since the search function sucks here, I'm asking the question again. My heater core is leaking coolant all over the passenger side floor board. With it leaking, and causing the engine temp to go up when idling (low coolant probably), will it need to be replaced? It's a 2010 with a hair over 94,000 miles.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:04 pm

You could bypass it temporarily by connecting the inlet and outlet hoses together that you can see on the passengers side of the engine compartment. That would stop the leak and protect your engine, but of course you wouldn't have cabin heat.

I've never read about any stop leak fluid that actually worked for more than a short time and without causing even more damage, like plugged coolant passages in the radiator and engine. I would stay away from those.

The heater core is a big job, but in this case it is probably best to do it. Other folks can chime in, too.

RenegadeKC · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:06 pm

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:09 pm

There are now some good dash disassembly how-to threads in the KK tech section, written with heater core replacement in mind. Go there and check the "KK How-to's Index" sticky to get the links. IIRC, they are about halfway down on the first post.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:13 pm

Here's the index.
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=80240

Scroll down to Interior Mods / Heating & Cooling.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:16 pm

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

RenegadeKC · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:42 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

The AC service, or the Heater Core? LOL.

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:10 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

The AC doesnt need to be evac'd. You can reach all the screws and pull the mode/blend housing off of the main housing. It requires some finesse to get it off and on, but it's doable.

Also, if you ever wanted to add an air filter, it's super easy when the dash is out. If you're near the Detroit area I can give you a hand.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 03, 2016 10:24 pm

RenegadeKC wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

The AC service, or the Heater Core? LOL.

The evap core is in the HVAC box along with the heater core.

huntb · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:52 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

Why does the AC system need to be evac'd? I'm going to be replacing my heater core soon

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:06 pm

huntb wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

Why does the AC system need to be evac'd? I'm going to be replacing my heater core soon

Can't remove the HVAC box(to access heater core) with the evaporator still connected to the AC system.

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:04 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

huntb wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

Why does the AC system need to be evac'd? I'm going to be replacing my heater core soon

Can't remove the HVAC box(to access heater core) with the evaporator still connected to the AC system.

The KK has a two piece housing. The evaporator is in the lower half, the heater core is in the upper with the blend and mode doors. The service manual says you have to remove the whole housing, however I was able to take the upper half off still in vehicle. I was replacing it though since the mode door gear stripped. There's a chance you might break the plastic if you're too rough though.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2016 9:49 pm

ajohns1288 wrote:

The KK has a two piece housing. The evaporator is in the lower half, the heater core is in the upper with the blend and mode doors. The service manual says you have to remove the whole housing, however I was able to take the upper half off still in vehicle. I was replacing it though since the mode door gear stripped. There's a chance you might break the plastic if you're too rough though.

They all have a 2 piece housing,even the KJ(very similar,almost identical to the KK's besides the addition of a cabin filter option).

Dixie14 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:34 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

False, you do not need to touch the ac system to change the heater core.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 14, 2017 5:46 pm

Dixie14 wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

RenegadeKC wrote:

Yeah...I've been reading up on it...dash removal?! FML. The most difficult part would be the steering wheel/steering column. Ugh.

It's either do it myself, of pay $600-$1000 to have a dealer or auto shop do it.

Don't forget the AC system will need to be professionally evac'd then recharged(before and after) the dash comes out.

It's really not a hard job on a KK.

False, you do not need to touch the ac system to change the heater core.

Why make it a harder job by adding 2-3 hours trying to get to 2-3 screws? Evac the AC and pull the complete box out,takes 15mins to evac and 5mins to recharge(with the correct equipment).

racer1 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:01 pm

Put a can of JB stop (Justice Brothers) leak in it will hold you over till warmer weather. It is the only stop leak that I have found that actually works and doesn't clog the cooling system. We have used it in our race cars to stop almost 1/4in leaks from rocks, we run 24psi caps so are pressures are a lot higher than in the Jeep. NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION!

Dave

Heater Core Leaking....need to replace?

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