Are you suffering from a bad core heater on your Jeep Wrangler? Is your core heater unable to warm your car? If so, you might be looking into the right place because we are going to talk about that core heater on your Jeep Wrangler.
Your core heater can be suffering from insufficient coolant, broken thermostat, jammed blend doors, etc. If you have already checked on these, the reason can be narrowed down to having a damaged “Core Heater.”
In this article, we will explore how to take care of the core heater on your jeep wrangler, how to replace the core heater all by yourself, what tools are required, and what cost is associated with the repair.
What Causes Jeep Wrangler Heater Core Replacement?
Having no heat on the driver or passenger side even after turning on the heater is only one of the many reasons why your heater core might need to be replaced. Following are the other signs that might lead up to your heater core being replaced:
1. Having Fog Inside the Car
This means either that your heater core is malfunctioning or the defrosters are not working properly. These are bad signs and need to be checked right away.
2. Sweet Smell Inside the Car
The sweet smell might be an indication that your heater core is leaking, and it is blowing the odor of engine coolant. The smell can be identified being sweet and musty.
3. Constant Loss of Engine Coolant
If you are finding a low level of engine coolant only after refilling it the day before, it can be an indication that your heater core is leaking coolant. A low coolant level can damage and overheat the engine, so it needs to be fixed asap.
4. Cold Air in the Car Cabin
This is again linked with the loss of coolant. Having cold air instead of hot means that your car is leaking all of the hot coolants, and this needs to be fixed immediately.
5. Hot Engine
This can be a sign that your core heater is not operating properly and is heating up the engine. Give proper attention to your heater core before it deals more damage to the engine.
Can You Replace a Heater Core by Yourself?
Replacing a Heater Core can turn out to be quite an expensive task if done by a mechanic. So, if you are determined enough, replacing a heater core can be a real “Do-It-Yourself” task if done with the right method and with the right tools.
Stick along to this article as we show you the right steps and techniques for you to get your heater core replaced in no time.
Tools And Materials Required To Replace Jeep Wrangler Heater Core
Tools required to replace the heater core:
- Wrench 7mm
- Electric cutter
- Flathead screwdriver
- Ratchet Strap
- Socket set
- New heater core
- Coolant
How To Replace Jeep Wrangler Heater Core?
Replacing the heater core might seem like a tedious task. However, replacing the heater core can be as simple as any task with the correct method and measures taken! All you have to do is read thoroughly and follow all the steps given in this article.
Step 1: Removing the Door
In this step, we will be removing the front passenger seat door. This is important to make space for us to work. We will start by detaching the plug that is on the bottom part of the door.
Slide the red button to the side and press the tab, and it will come off. Now it is only just a matter of closing the door halfway and sliding the strap over the hook on the bottom hinge. Now detach the door from the hinges, and you are good to go.
Step 2: Taking out the Glove Box, Side and Bottom Panel Out
Open the glove box and press onto the left and right sides of it. Pull it towards yourself, and it will come off quite easily.
Now using a flat head screwdriver, slide onto the top side corner of the side panel and pry it out. Pull down all the tabs on the backside, and it will come off.
The bottom panel is located right beneath the glove box compartment. Hold onto the bottom panel and pull it out of the tabs off the top. Once done, the bottom panel can now be removed.
Step 3: Taking out the Black Vent
The black vent can be spotted on the inner left side of the glove box compartment. Grip onto it and give the black vent a wiggle towards you. It will come off.
Step 4: Pulling out the Dashboard
There are five 7mm bolts that hold onto the dashboard- four on the lower section of the bottom panel and one underneath. All of these will have to be removed using a wrench.
Now with the help of a ratchet strap, we will fasten the dashboard and pull it out of the way. Remember to be careful and not to pull it too far, which might cause it to break away. Now that the dashboard is pulled out, we will have access to the dash bracket.
Step 5: Removing the Dash Bracket
The bracket is basically the metal support that is underneath the lower portion of the dashboard. Now to remove this bracket, we will need to cut it in three places- one on the far left end, another on the far right anywhere near the speaker mount, and the last one are below and to the right side of the bolt.
Now taking the portable electric cutter, cut onto the spots mentioned above. Take out the two bolts supporting the bracket using the 7mm wrench. The bracket can now be removed.
Step 6: Taking out the Heater Core
The heater core is located on the inner left side of the dash bracket and has got a label on it. Now to take out the heater core, we first need to cut the two tubes connected to the heater core. Before cutting it out, place a drain pan beneath. Now with the help of the cutting tool, cut the tubes towards the heater core end and pull the heater core out of its place.
Step 7: Setting up the New Heater Core
Now that the old heater core has been removed, we will slide in the new one. Slide on a hose to connect the old pipes to the new heater core. Put clamps on them and tighten them down.
Once done, refill the engine coolant; max it out. You are now done with replacing your heater core.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Jeep Wrangler Heater Core?
Along with labor costs, replacing the heater core on your jeep wrangler can cost you a total of around $800 to $1000. However, following the steps given in this article, you can save up on the labor cost and simply get the parts for around $150 to $250 while replacing them yourself.
Is It Safe To Drive Wrangler With A Faulty Heater Core?
You can still drive it, but you must not drive it for a long time. If your heater core is faulty, it can put a lot of stress on your engine and leak a lot of your engine coolant, which can cause the engine to overheat. This can lead to further damage to the engine if not fixed otherwise.
Conclusion
So, if you are facing problems concerning your heater not being able to warm your car or engine overheating, or even having coolant leaks, it is wise to check on your heater core once in a while.
Problems such as these can seem to be mere at first. However, they can turn out to be the root of other serious problems in the near future. So, it is better to be safe than sorry. Also, it is a fairly easy task. All you have to do is make up your mind, and take the wrench to save your car from the disaster yet to come.
The outline has been given in this article. All you have to do is give it a read, grab a new heater core and replace it. We trust in you that you can do it. Also, save a couple of bucks doing it on your own, and in the end, it is nothing but an enjoyable ride.
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