Questions and Answers

Jeep Wrangler Heater Core Leaking Q. Vincent, I have a 1999 Jeep Wrangler, with a 2.5 liter engine and automatic transmission, mileage is 100,260 and it does have A/C. My problem is that one morning last week I went out to the jeep and upon opening the driver side door found a small pool of what appeared to be rusty water in the foot well on the driver side, and just a slight trickle on the passenger side.

The substance came out of the heater A/C vents. It turned out that the 'rusty water' was actually coolant. What little that was in the coolant bottle mounted next to the radiator was the same, rusty appearing.

I drove it to a local garage (on Fort Meade) and they identified the problem as coolant system. They were going to flush the system but that the heater core was inside the same box as the A/C and they can't do that work in their limited facility. The mechanic recommended that I take it to someone like Firestone or Midas.

I have refilled the coolant bottle, but lost about half of it driving home, around seven miles. I'm not driving it now, at least not until I take it in for repair. I also have a recurring problem with the A/C drain, causing water to go into the passenger foot well. Questions:

1. Does the diagnosis of the mechanic sound right to you?
2. Should I take it to a Jeep dealership, or would Firestone, etc, be okay?
3. They initially said that it would be a two-day job. Is that correct?
4. The mechanic also said that it could be expensive. What is a fair range of prices for such a job?
5. Is there anything else I should know, or ask, about this problem.

Thanks for any advice you can give me,
John

A. It does sound like you have a leaking heater core. This is a very time consuming job on your vehicle. Instead of speaking in terms of dollars I'll tell you that a labor and estimating guide would flag the job at close to 8 hours labor. Multiply that figure by the average labor rate in your area to get an idea of a fair price.

In addition to the heater core, you probably have a plugged drain tube in your evaporator housing. This is common for this vehicle. The tube runs down through the frame and the mechanics who change your heater core should be able to clear it while they replace the core.

There is a TSB out for this problem as well.

NUMBER: 24-21-99
GROUP: Heating & A/C
DATE: Oct. 8, 1999

SUBJECT:
Water may drip from the bottom of the evaporator drain tube and enter the passenger compartment causing wet carpet or water on the passenger compartment floor.

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing an evaporator drain tube extension.

MODELS:
1997 - 1999 Wrangler

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Water may drip or wick from under the evaporator drain tube causing wet carpet or passenger compartment floor.

DIAGNOSIS:
If the condition is present and no water leaks are evident, perform the Repair Procedure.

PARTS REQUIRED:
1       56000724AB       Drain Tube Extension

REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist if one is available.
2. Locate the evaporator drain tube and install the drain tube extension, p/n 56000724AB, on the drain with the opening pointing down.