TJ Heater Core Replacement

[JFjeld]

The heater core in my 2001 TJ is again leaking, so last night I started to dig into it. The bad news is that I did this same replacement 7-8 years ago. The good news is that I documented it last time so had a great reference.

For those interested, here is the write-up I made in 2007 that Stu, from Stu-Offroad, graciously posted for me. To this day, I still get emails from folks who've used the write-up.


http://www.stu-offroad.com/engine/heatercore/heatercore-1.htm


Here are some pics of last night's progress:
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z373/JFjeld/Jeep_Build/77B87A67-7E93-4C4E-A2BA-46178A9BFCCC_zpsuhzeqfyp.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/JFjeld/media/Jeep_Build/77B87A67-7E93-4C4E-A2BA-46178A9BFCCC_zpsuhzeqfyp.jpg.html)
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z373/JFjeld/Jeep_Build/A82765BF-A623-47CF-B815-5ECB1CA29A98_zpsvrgqx6vv.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/JFjeld/media/Jeep_Build/A82765BF-A623-47CF-B815-5ECB1CA29A98_zpsvrgqx6vv.jpg.html)
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z373/JFjeld/Jeep_Build/996191AC-D213-479E-9F38-DE3557CB60EF_zpsczqqtact.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/JFjeld/media/Jeep_Build/996191AC-D213-479E-9F38-DE3557CB60EF_zpsczqqtact.jpg.html)
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z373/JFjeld/Jeep_Build/7504F12E-91AD-4475-9A71-C9F475821C82_zpsby1rxskx.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/JFjeld/media/Jeep_Build/7504F12E-91AD-4475-9A71-C9F475821C82_zpsby1rxskx.jpg.html)
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z373/JFjeld/Jeep_Build/7E6FECED-446E-4B3B-B636-94F3580A7BEE_zpshb42ryby.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/JFjeld/media/Jeep_Build/7E6FECED-446E-4B3B-B636-94F3580A7BEE_zpshb42ryby.jpg.html)
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z373/JFjeld/Jeep_Build/68D13C39-D560-47AD-AB85-3D8C1D69C805_zpsdnvuvxp5.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/JFjeld/media/Jeep_Build/68D13C39-D560-47AD-AB85-3D8C1D69C805_zpsdnvuvxp5.jpg.html)

Tonight I plan to clean up the HVAC box of all the leaked residue, give the under-dash a thorough cleaning, and start throwing things back together.

[Mr6dwg]

I am sure my day is coming for that as well. I will try to keep your link and use it for future educational purposes. Thank you.

[newracer]

I hope I never have to do this. My TJ is a 99 with 43K miles. When I replaced my radiator I back flushed the heater core a bunch hoping to prevent clogging and failure.

[otisdog]

I'm looking forward to this some day myself.
Jim

[jayson44]

yeah, I'm probably gonna have to do this next summer. the heater isn't leaking, but it's not very hot. I think some of the stuff inside the box is either deteriorated or not in the proper place. I'll just do the core at the same time.

I read your writeup earlier this year when I was contemplating doing it. thanks for all the pics.

J.

[Java]

something to look forward to. :( I LOVE stu-offroad.com, it's a fantastic site, very cool that you're on there. :thumb: Thanks for the write up!!

[Brucker]

Oh man, I feel your pain. In fact, I have a TJ that is dash-less in the shop at the moment as well. Little different issue, but still got the fun of removing the entire dash assembly. Here is how mine is looking:

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10413363_879161228760931_2676760946084923166_n.jpg ?oh=a3252aeaff0b67c19e04e318cce5b957&oe=54DC9092

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1510661_879161232094264_3176433754313684985_n.jpg? oh=f937fa4d967381275242c56e3cea45c0&oe=54DBF41F&__gda__=1423717598_4fa50008ede04f95937863314ae01f6 3

Neat write up you did. Though I have a question about your process. Why did you remove the entire steering column? Wouldn't it have been faster to pull the two bolts holding in the horn/air bag assy and then just pull the steering wheel by itself with one more nut? Only took a few seconds and the dash slipped right out over what was left of the column. What am I missing?