Heater core recommendation?
- Thread starter Chris Kelley
- Start date
OP
Wow, I’ve started poking around more online, and it seems no one is satisfied with their heater core. Someone who installed an expensive brassworks one said it was very disappointing in terms of heat output. At this point I just want something decent that I don’t have to wait 18 weeks for. Any other ideas?
I also bought the Brassworks heater core and while it is definitely quality stuff the heat output is barely adequate at best.
iamloganjames
Member
+1 for the Superior cooling systems unit that "SvtLdr" sent a link to. I would wait and get that one when its back in stock.
Do not settle and get an aluminum unit. You will have contamination issues with the buildup that is already in your engine water channels. Regardless of what coolant people tell you will work with the aluminum units. On top of that, You don't want a cheap unit that will fail and leak again. It is not a job that you will want to do again after doing it once. XD
I have had great luck with my superior cooling systems unit. It is almost an exact copy of the original, Its just not bent down to the millimeter. But it fit like oem with a little persuasion and minimal cutting to the foam (or whatever material it is) block that goes through the firewall. You can see that block in the photo that "SvtLdr" posted above as well.
I would say that it heats great, but I live in Arizona, so take that with a grain of salt.
There aren't many other copper units available. But whatever you do, go copper.
Do not settle and get an aluminum unit. You will have contamination issues with the buildup that is already in your engine water channels. Regardless of what coolant people tell you will work with the aluminum units. On top of that, You don't want a cheap unit that will fail and leak again. It is not a job that you will want to do again after doing it once. XD
I have had great luck with my superior cooling systems unit. It is almost an exact copy of the original, Its just not bent down to the millimeter. But it fit like oem with a little persuasion and minimal cutting to the foam (or whatever material it is) block that goes through the firewall. You can see that block in the photo that "SvtLdr" posted above as well.
I would say that it heats great, but I live in Arizona, so take that with a grain of salt.
There aren't many other copper units available. But whatever you do, go copper.
iamloganjames
Member
If you want a heat output number, I can measure the temp at the vent. But if yours is leaking and plugged up, then you don't exactly have anything to compare it to. Lol
Maybe somebody with a brassworks unit and a 4.0 can get a number at full operating temp (210 degrees) to compare it to.
Not sure how scientific that would be...
Maybe somebody with a brassworks unit and a 4.0 can get a number at full operating temp (210 degrees) to compare it to.
Not sure how scientific that would be...
This is all good feedback, multiple sources reporting the Brass Works unit doesn't put out the same heat. Thanks everyone.
Does anyone have first hand experience with the Radiator Express unit?
Does anyone have first hand experience with the Radiator Express unit?
OP
The problem with that one is they only have through 2001 listed on their website.
nctj
Member
Both Radiator Express and Superior Cooling Systems are using the same exact set of product photos (at least for the model I need). In fact, I've even seen these exact same images on random eBay sellers as well. That leads me to believe that they are all getting them from the same source and just slapping their own label on it...
has anybody tried taking it to a shop that rebuilds radiators and seen if they could rebuild a heater core ? i know there aren't alot of shops around that still do this but might be worth a try .....
I just checked with a local radiator repair shop. Worst case scenario, if a brand new core was required, the bill would be around $150. Sounds like most of the time they're able to just clean the core and repair whatever is leaking which keeps the price a lot lower. He also offered to test the old heater core and provide an estimate for free. I think I'm going to start there as my Jeep is parked for the winter anyways. Thanks for the suggestion @tr21triton .
good to hear. i've noticed a slight antifreeze smell in mine the last few weeks and had planned on looking into this option when i get around to it !!!!! i hope it makes it to spring,
That's how mine started. The faint smell got stronger eventually producing an oily fog on the windshield. Then I started noticing a small leak collecting on the passenger front foot well. It was then that I bypassed the heater core and parked it for the winter. Good luck to you.
iamloganjames
Member
While you're in there, cleanup all the nasty foam that has disintegrated from around the evap core and is plugging everything up. I remember mine being awful! And make sure that your blend door is lined back up and operating smoothly before you put all the screws back in, or worse yet, put the dash back in 
Good info everyone, thanks for sharing. I have an 05 LJ that has the sweet smell of a leaking heater core. It appears Radiator Express may only have the plastic and aluminum core for the later TJs....
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/product/heater core/jeep/2005/tj/rubicon/40l-l6/221296/1441717#tabs
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/product/heater core/jeep/2005/tj/rubicon/40l-l6/221296/1441717#tabs
I just picked up my OE core from the repair shop. They found two small leaks and were able to repair them both. They also tested it for both pressure and flow. $95 later I'm back in business.
So my 2005 has started leaking a little coolant from the ac drain.
Anyone have a good line on a replacement for the later tj cores? Brassworks seems to have bad reviews for heating but good for not leaking. Everything else for the later years are plastic caps. Even the performance radiator version often recommended.
Anyone have a good line on a replacement for the later tj cores? Brassworks seems to have bad reviews for heating but good for not leaking. Everything else for the later years are plastic caps. Even the performance radiator version often recommended.
Personally I'd get the ADPI/PRO on Rockauto for about $40 if I wanted good performance and the Brassworks if I never wanted to pull the dash again.
Thanks, The brassworks is an interesting one. Never pulling the dash again sounds nice but the part not heating very well is lame as that is it's sole purpose really.
Looks like API is advance/carquest and PRO Is autozone. Napa had a REACH brand.
Performance radiator was out of stock with no eta so I am curious if anyone knows what brand they use.
I think it's all the same stuff from the same factory in uzbekufukustanistan with different color dog hair mixed in the plastic end caps. It's either made by a dude named John and costs money or made by a guy named Yi and don't.