JK heating/sediment whatever problem

[Magnum Opus]

So......recently tried my heater......(didn't use it much in Guam).  As it turns out I have the infamous JK heater core/sediment/leak stop/mixed coolant disease.  I bought a backflush jumper today and some old fashioned green coolant.  I intend on back-flushing and chemically cleaning the crap out of my coolant system and putting the green crap in.  I kinda figured that some of the JK owners have encountered the same problem.  Any words of wisdom?  Symptoms are sediment in the coolant system and no heat on the drivers side and some heat on the passengers side.  Definitely not spitting lava like it ought to.  I am not that interested in taking it to the dealership.  I have seen pictures.  They strip the dash to the fire wall to replace the heater core, radiator and water pump, and it appears to be a wash rinse and repeat annually.  Thoughts?  I am also looking into a dc powered hair dryer for defrosting and warmer clothes for my daily commute to work!  After hopefully a successful back flush, I intend on swapping the heater hoses so that perhaps the highest performing side will be the drivers side (I don't care if the passenger can see!  I also have a problem getting people to ride with me....but that is a personal problem.)

[toreadorranger]

friend of mine had this issue, he had the dealer pull the heater core and replace it.  It wasn't cheap. 

[JKJon]

WOW.. I have never heard of this issue. Hope I do not have these issues with mine. Was this a common issue for certain years? Good luck. Keep us updated with your results.

[JKSue]

I know there is a star case on the coolant sludge issue, if that's indeed your problem I think Chrysler is covering it all & replacing everything under warranty.  I'm not a fan of the dealership myself, but it might benefit you to have it documented & have the heater core, etc., replaced in case you have issues in the future.  But I get not wanting them to tear it apart, especially if you have the ability to do it yourself.

I've also heard that they are having issues with the blend door being broken.  But if you've seen the sludge/sand I'm guessing you're not so lucky!?

So far I'm lucky, I had to have my coolant & tranny hoses replaced under warranty so they did a flush early on & I haven't had any sludge issues.  Yet.  She's a bitch tho, I won't be shocked if it happens.

So far (28K miles, 2013) I've had:
water pump replaced under warranty
coolant/tranny lines under warranty
seatbelt under warranty
light sensor under warranty
stress crack in windshield under warranty
heated mirror recall (not done yet, don't use my doors)
it won't shift into drive when in 4L quite frequently - can't diagnose
I've had no brakes 3 times - can't diagnose
misc electronic freak outs, not downshifting etc - all undiagnosable

Those are the kind of reasons I bring it to the dealer.  It's such a piece of crap, I want it documented cuz one day she is gonna kill me & I want my family to be able to sue.  

[Magnum Opus]

So far I have not had as many issues as JKSue!  Man that sucks!  I called SECOR...they never heard of the problem and I am just beyond the 3 year spot on the warranty (bummer).  I have a case number with Corporate and an appointment with Favely on Monday.  In the interim.....I am about to disconnect the heater lines and connect some garden hose "spool pieces"  once the engine cools down.  Then I am gonna do backwards and forward flushes a couple of times and let it soak for a bout 20 mins with a 50% CLR solution then flush the crap out of it again.  I expect I will be dehydrating meat on my vents before the evening is out and cancelling my apt at the stealership tomorrow!  Wish me luck!  I am gonna check this sight before I shoot the CLR cocktail just incase someone thinks I am touched with insanity!  In the long haul I am installing a flush and fill tee and am going to do annual flushes and fills on both my 12 and 15 rigs.....I recommend to all the JK guys and gals to do the same!

[Magnum Opus]

So far nothing massive with the water flushes.  Here comes the CLR!

[Magnum Opus]

Definitely not the heater core......flushed the crap out of it though.  If you have similar issues.....warm up the jeep and pull the glove compartment.  there are two pipes on the inboard side goes to the core if both are big time hot you got flow and the core probably is not the problem.  Next up ventilation dampners.

[skibum]

Honda had an issue with debris in heater cores on 2011 & 2012 CRV's. They sent all dealers a high volume pump and A special procedure to flush the heater core with the CLR solution mixed with water. Have to run it for 30 min and 90% of the time it works. So it seems you are having an issue with the blend air door. Remove the mode door motor and operated manually to see if your heat works.
I complain about my gutless old 3.8L but feel it's a much more reliable engine the the new over complicated 3.6L. Never had a heat issue and suprized it has not melted my vents yet. Just changed the coolant for the first time at 105K and still vent melting heat. Figure heat is so good cuz of under powered engine always working so hard to move this heavy sled. Explains the 12 mpg. As they say. Power of a Prius. Mileage of a Hemi.

[Magnum Opus]

Skibum....thanks for the advise!  I spent a good portion of the evening looking for drawings and blogs of people who have fixed this before....came up way dry.  I still have an appt for monday, but cant see a point in spending over a grand to fix a $20 part.  If I can access the blender from the passenger side a piece of duct tape or some thing else to lock it in heat only looks like the best option until spring when I can pull dash and fix it right!

[Magnum Opus]

Going all in on this......got the dash apart except for the passenger side.  Letting the capacitors bleed down before removing the air bag.  Becoming a dash specialist.  Only regret so far is not having upgraded radio and speakers on standby.  Hope this all goes back together!

[Magnum Opus]

I'm going back together.  Total failure.  You honestly have to strip the rig down to the firewall to get to the blend valve.  I am not screwing with the steering wheel.  Behind the dash is a cast aluminum frame that will have to go too.  No way to get to the AC/Heat plenums without pulling out everything.  I hope everything goes back together right.  This is a multi day high risk job.

[JKSue]

Bummer.  So what are you doing with it?

[Magnum Opus]

It is as Faveleys right now.  I think I am about to drop major coin on changing out a $20 part.  Good thing is the rig is paid off so if it runs into 4 figures all it will do is slow down other modifications.  Bad thing is that this appears to be common enough that there ought to be a recall.  Another half full aspect is I will know how much it costs at the dealership and when I retire I can probably turn a couple of these fixes out a week if I had a proper shop and tools. It isn't complicated, it is just tedious and isn't work for under a shade tree.  Going down to the firewall makes me miss CJ's and YJ's.  I will keep you all posted on the results so the JK drivers can start filling their piggy banks!

[Magnum Opus]

Just got off the phone with the Dealership and Jeep Corporate.  Diagnosis is that the Heater Core, Oil Cooler and Radiator are getting replaced, and they are bending the warrantee so it will only cost $100.  Dealership says it would have cost me about $2100.  I am sceptical since I flushed the heater core and found nothing.  They insist it is not the blend door. Fortunately when they swap out the core, they will be able to inspect the blend door at the same time.  Might have the Jeep back by the end of the weekend!  Until then.....it is a pedestrians life for me.  JK owners.....hug your coolant systems extra tight when you put them to sleep at night.  It is a cruel world full of casting sand, questionable oil cooler manufacturers, coolant fluids that should not be mixed, and poorly designed blend doors.

[toreadorranger]

$2k discount isn't bad at all.  Glad to see you got it figured out.