Copper tubes instead of plastic on heater core

BigDan

BigDan

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2021
Messages
122
Location
St-Jean Baptiste , Quebec.
vehicle :
2005 LJ with A/C ,auto ,4.0L
I have a small leak from my heater core , ordered no :93028 from spectra premium : aluminum core w/plastic covers

started to do the job , removed heater hoses , the tubes are copper not plastic , ??????
looked at 2004 supposed to be the same no 93028

Has this ever happened to someone here ?
thanks
Dan ,
 
sab said:
Apparently, with the OEM cores no longer available, the aftermarket has not presented many viable solutions:
Click to expand...

1997-2001 TJ
https://shop.performanceradiator.co...ath=1_22310_22822_22862_22864&product_id=7818 *

2002-2006 TJ
https://shop.performanceradiator.co...ath=1_22310_22822_22877_22879&product_id=8045 *

How many viable solutions do you need?


See, e.g.:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...mendation-for-rods-radiator-redding-ca.18457/

____________________

* Shows "out of stock" online as of 5/5/2022, however there are reports posted on this forum that Performance Radiator has had inventory when contacted directly. Ongoing worldwide supply chain issues affect availability at any given time.
 
ok ,maybe I wrote it wrong
I bought the supposed to be heater core that looks like the ones showed ,in all your answers
but when I dismantled the hoses : the tubes are cupper instead of plastic ,
and they stick out straight from firewall instead of being angled like the supposed to be unit
 
lokked at Youtube
seems like the replacement unit is exactly like the one I recevied ,,,,,,,
so, the original would be copper but the replacement is aluminium & plastic tanks
let's hope it will hold up for some years

thanks for all your involvment ,apreciated
 
Mr. Bills said:
* Shows "out of stock" online as of 5/5/2022, however there are reports posted on this forum that Performance Radiator has had inventory when contacted directly. Ongoing worldwide supply chain issues affect availability at any given time.
Click to expand...
This is what I meant. For a LONG time, those were unavailable. If they are now, I stand corrected.
 
That performance radiator one looks exactly same as the spectra($30) one that I replaced on my 05. Many reviews of these spectras only lasting a year or less, but keep your coolant clean and flushing the core may extend life.

The plastic tanks end up cracking, never had an issue with my 99 which had copper. I’m gonna try to make an all aluminum one with turbulators next time mine breaks.

Don’t take your steering column off lower it and just ratchet strap the dash grab handle to the roll bar at an angle. If the firewall studs spin just leave them and undo the one bolt inside and pull the box. The box will just hang on the studs with the one bolt inside very securely when you reinstall
 
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Fughuert said:
That performance radiator one looks exactly same as the spectra($30) one that I replaced on my 05. Many reviews of these spectras only lasting a year or less, . . .
Click to expand...

Many parts "look" the same but aren't.

My heater core from Performance Radiator core was installed in late January 2019 and still works as new and has no leaks or seepage almost 3 1/2 years later. I have maintained the schedule for changing/flushing coolant recommended by both Jeep and the coolant manufacturer and have not performed any additional maintenance to the cooling system.

YMMV
 
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Anyone having any luck finding a quality replacement? I had my OEM core replaced about 3yrs ago. The shop put in an aftermarket brand, not sure which one. Recently I've found the little plastic turbulators (found internally in most of the aftermarket brands) inside my engine block behind the t-stat, water pump, and God only knows where else. Needless to say this has caused the cooling system fits which has lead to some bigger issues now.

I talked with Performance Radiator - 253.472.0586 - last night and they are out of stock, but apparently waiting on a delivery of 200 or so (part #9163) due at the end of June. If you talk to them, they'll put your name on a list and notify you when they arrive. I apparently wasn't the 1st to call...
 
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Haanz said:
Anyone having any luck finding a quality replacement? I had my OEM core replaced about 3yrs ago. The shop put in an aftermarket brand, not sure which one. Recently I've found the little plastic turbulators (found internally in most of the aftermarket brands) inside my engine block behind the t-stat, water pump, and God only knows where else. Needless to say this has caused the cooling system fits which has lead to some bigger issues now.

I talked with Performance Radiator - 253.472.0586 - last night and they are out of stock, but apparently waiting on a delivery of 200 or so (part #9163) due at the end of June. If you talk to them, they'll put your name on a list and notify you when they arrive. I apparently wasn't the 1st to call...
Click to expand...
Haanz - did you ask them if their radiators have something other than plastic turbulators in them? Asking for a friend...
 
sab said:
Haanz - did you ask them if their radiators have something other than plastic turbulators in them? Asking for a friend...
Click to expand...
I did ask. The gentleman was not able to confirm if the turbulators were metal or plastic. From digging into this, it seems Performance Radiator heater cores are reliable replacements as compared to the other options available.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-your-heater-core-heat-not-blowing-hot.47253/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...de-2006-tj-unlimited-4-0-coolant-system.5771/
 
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Haanz said:
I did ask. The gentleman was not able to confirm if the turbulators were metal or plastic. From digging into this, it seems Performance Radiator heater cores are reliable replacements as compared to the other options available.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-your-heater-core-heat-not-blowing-hot.47253/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...de-2006-tj-unlimited-4-0-coolant-system.5771/
Click to expand...
Thanks, Haanz. I had read those other posts, but was hoping for confirmation that they are made better (non-plastic turbulators). I have a buddy on here (yes, I really was asking for a friend!) whose heater core started leaking at the end of last winter, and he's been doing without since, but winter will be back before we know it. He's been trying to figure out what to do...
 
sab said:
Thanks, Haanz. I had read those other posts, but was hoping for confirmation that they are made better (non-plastic turbulators). I have a buddy on here (yes, I really was asking for a friend!) whose heater core started leaking at the end of last winter, and he's been doing without since, but winter will be back before we know it. He's been trying to figure out what to do...
Click to expand...
Hey sab, I'm your buddy, AND I have a leaky heater core. Coincidence?!
I spoke with Performance's South Carolina warehouse. They say they have 7 different vendors for this part and none of them have delivery dates. :-( Also couldn't confirm turbulator material. :-/
However I also called the Tacoma location who's number was posted above. Will called me back and seemed pretty knowledgeable. Said if all goes well there will be a container coming through the sound in July or August. To his knowledge, their heater cores have metal turbulators, but sometimes vendors will change things without telling them. When the shipment comes in they will run them through QC and Will said he would find out what material is used for this batch.
 
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06LJR said:
Hey sab, I'm your buddy, AND I have a leaky heater core. Coincidence?!
I spoke with Performance's South Carolina warehouse. They say they have 7 different vendors for this part and none of them have delivery dates. :-( Also couldn't confirm turbulator material. :-/
However I also called the Tacoma location who's number was posted above. Will called me back and seemed pretty knowledgeable. Said if all goes well there will be a container coming through the sound in July or August. To his knowledge, their heater cores have metal turbulators, but sometimes vendors will change things without telling them. When the shipment comes in they will run them through QC and Will said he would find out what material is used for this batch.
Click to expand...
Thanks for doing the legwork on that, buddy (06LJR and I were co-workers moons ago, and although he lives several states away from me now, he was the first person - wife included - I showed my LJ to after buying it!) My heater core is still good, but as soon as I find a replacement that seems suitable, I'm going to order a spare for my "parts warehouse" I've been gradually filling.
 
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