NCDON

My heater core has been putting out the sweet smell for the last three years and now has started fog up the windshield so it's time for a replacement, while I have the air box out I also will change the AC evaporator core. A local radiator shop indicates they may be able to repair or re-core my existing heater core, if this is possible I think I prefer this over the aftermarket aluminum offerings. As for the AC evaporator, I see two brands on amazon, Spectra and UAC.

Question for those that have replaced one or both of these items. What brand did you buy and how many months/years ago did you replace them?

Jeepwalker

I bought a new copper heater core last year off ebay. High capacity. Works great. I don't recall the seller, but do some checking. Check some of my old posts on it.

Why replace the evap core? It's a closed system with oil in it.

Ralph77

I think I have a evap core leak in my AC.
If I go in there I figure maybe do the heater core too.
With all the "What heater core should I buy" threads I wondered about
getting the original repaired and recored too.
Which nobody brings up.
Well I stopped by a radiator shop in town and sure enough they say they can.
Said it would be about $50.
Thinking if actual repairs were needed it would cost more of course.

Furrydogs

Old evap and thermistor tube
Could you explain more about your evap core comment? I'm in the middle of replacing my heater core and lots of posts suggested that since your'e going through all of this trouble, you might as well replace the evap core as well. I have the original evap core in my 96 XJ and I have the new one sitting in a box ready to be installed so I just as soon return the new one, especially since it doesn't have the hole for the thermistor copper tube. I've attached a picture of that.

Jeepwalker

I get the thinking ..do the job once, replace all the stuff in there. My comment was simply, if it's not leaking it may never leak ...but of course the old one could also leak next week. It's hard to tell. Nobody can tell. A lot of times the OEM parts even with high miles are better than a new cheaply made part (not saying yours was cheaply made). But if you have the new evap sitting there, maybe just put it in. Can't you just spread the fins and insert the probe? I forgot how mine looked, it has the probe too. I just left it.

Re-coring a heater core is definitely possible. Obviously you want a competent person doing the work. It's essentially a mini radiator. Businesses take in radiators all the time to get re-cored and repaired. Have you seen what Deere, Case, Cat and Bobcat charge for a new skid steer or implement radiator?!! Makes yer eyes water. Plus, businesses need to get up and running right away, so a local shop can do that. I mean, worth a try. Copper is a good choice b/c it has a wide pH range so it won't become the anode in your system (and self-decay). Plus the OEM unit fits 'right'. I guess I'd ask them the question if it'll have the same or similar number of fins and cores?

The thing is, now that you've had the dash apart you could do the same job in 1/3 of the time if you have to get in there for anything again. It won't seem like such a pain the 2nd time (hopefully there won't be a second time ..but just saying). If you have it re-cored, I would probably not have the A/C recharged till spring and you've had a chance to 'prove' the re-cored heater works fine.

Furrydogs

I kind of hijacked the OP's thread, sorry about that. I agree with you, I almost figure the original evap is better made than the new stuff and it probably has the same chance of failing as the new one I was going to install. I'll make a decision this weekend on which one I'll install.

I like your optimism about being able to tear apart the dash in 1/3 of the time the next time I do it. I'm just hoping I get it put back together correctly the first time!

Furrydogs

I bought my heater core from NAPA, not sure what brand but someone mentioned they might be a bit better quality than the Autozone stuff.

I just received my evap which I purchased from Amazon and it was the UAC. I'm hoping it's quality. See Jeepwalker's comments in this thread, maybe you should just keep the original evap in there.

I've got a 96 Xj as well, how's the dash removal going and have you had to do any work to your heater box? Some folks have mentioned putting new foam on the heater doors, etc.

Ralph77

Be willing to bet the Napa heater core is a rebranded Spectra.

NCDON

I also have a leak that the shop has traced to the evap core.

country2

I replaced the evap and heater core in my 2000 in 2016. So far no issues ..well..except I should of replaced all the seals also while I was there but did not so had to use a little bit of urethane sealant so stop a small leak. I bought a Evaporator Core 4 Seasons 54188 and a Heater Core Spectra 93024.

NCDON

Today I spent less than 2 hours removing all the dash and trim that I could and still have the jeep in drivable condition, I plan to continue work late next week and have ordered UAC evap core, a roll of the dice I know....

Reading posts on various sites, many do not remove the seats to get to the air box but I'm a big guy and need more room to work so I took the passenger seat out. Then I thought this would be a good time to clean the carpet, so out went the drivers seat and carpet, I put the seat back in for I could keep driving. Then removed the glued on carpet pad, I'll glue it back on at installation, used my pressure washer to blast the carpet and then applied dawn dish soap and a scrub brush and a final pressure washer blast. Looks much better but will need to dry a few days before installation.

Still hoping to hear from others that have did heater core and or evap core replacement along with brand they used and dates replaced.

country2

If you need it I have the pdf file with pics show how to remove and install the evap.

Furrydogs

I'm currently replacing my evap, so if you could send me the PDF I'd appreciate it.

NCDON

Two of the most detailed procedures I've found, if you have others please share. The second link is actually a thread that contains much information, the link to procedure may be dead.

http://justanothersillybolg.blogspot.com/

https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/...thread-592844/

NCDON

PDF's are better, links come and go...

Credit and appreciation must be given to the authors of these procedures, they spent a lot of time writing everything out and taking photos. I am sure these docs gave many the confidence to replace their own heater and evap cores.