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Heater Core or Water Leak?

7K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  jdecker88 
#1 ·
So I noticed some water on my passenger carpet dripping from directly above near a blower motor, and there is also a odd smell in the cab that just might be antifreze while using Ac. I had the heater on high for awhile, but was also doing a little splashing through some large puddles in my neighborhood. Passenger also had wet feet so that may have contributed...

So i was wondering if this is the right area for a heater core leak at or if I have water leaking in from somewhere, or a combination of both.

Floor Asphalt Flooring Sport venue
 
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#2 ·
Could be, but let's hope it's not. Water leaking in from the cowl can drop in the same spot. Does your windshield fog up when it shouldn't? That, and the smell of coolant inside the cab are telltale signs. Check your cowl drain for blockage as well, that's the cheapest scenario.
 
#3 ·
If it smells like antifreeze it is the heater core. Don't be afraid of it though, took me and a Buddy about 5 1/2 hours (including beer breaks). Its just a lot of tedious time consuming tasks but not really that hard, especially when a shop will charge you in excess of 1500.00 bucks to do the job.

1. Set up a laptop (Youtube is your friend)
2. Bribe a drinking buddy that is not mechanically challenged
3. Load the cooler

Here is the link to the procedure step by step,
TJ Heater Core Replacement - 1
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the help. My windshield does fog up a lot more than it should, at least compared to the last vehicle I drove. I will check the cowl drain and make sure it isnt blocked. I really hope it is not the heater core, but if it is that link will help out a lot.
 
#6 ·
Heater core leak not very complex but a long slog as to replace you gotta pull entire dash

Don't get a cheep one get a good core or you will have to repeat the process

For a temporary fix you can pull hoses at firewall and connect together with a brass barb fitting and hose clamps but you will have no heat

Jeeps cheaped out and have no core bypass valve but a vacuum operated one off a ford explorer works great as it has 4 fittings

Without vacuum coolant goes into bypass valve over to heater core and thru valve back to engine and when vacuum is applied the flow just circulates thru bypass valve and back to engine
 
#7 ·
Heater core go with the ratchet strap method it worked well in my case. Please use a Mopar heater core
 
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