2019 RAM 1500 Heater Core

[ehiebert]

Did my heater core... yeah it's a huge job. Here's what I found.

The heater core itself doesn't necessarily leak. In my case the issue was caused by a **** poor design of the heater core and a leaking $0.25 O-Right to the heater core input. Yeah all this work for a 25 cent O-ring.

Replaced O-ring, pressure tested at 15 PSI for an hour and all good.

Now Why the hell would Dodge put an O-Ring seal on a part that is so hard to get at. Really **** poor design to save $1 on the shipping box of the heater core from China is my only guess.

Dealer quotes on this fix ranged from $2200 to $2900. Go figure... for a 25 cent O-ring.

If anyone is doing this job I can provide advice and assistance.

Thanks for listening.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I've had the dashes out of at least 4 of my 3rd gen rams for either a heater core or blend doors so I'm curious how it compares to the 5th gen. I had it down to under 4 hrs on the last one but the trucks were much simpler.

Does it still pull way from the firewall in one big assembly once you drop the steering column?
Did you happen to take any pictures?

 

[ehiebert]

Hi OCD,

The heater core air box, fan motors, AC evaporator is all one big plastic blob attached to the inside of the firewall. Requires removing plenty of stuff to get at it. Unfortunately I did not take many detailed pictures and I did not remove the entire dash support frame as the heater core itself was not at fault, just the crappy little O-ring seal.

Here's the picture I do have... Hope this satisfies your curiosity.

 

[SD Rebel]

Wow, thanks for sharing, I suspected it would be some cheap little connection that would be the main problem.

Since I live in a temperate zone, if mine ever starts to leak, I'm just going to do a permanent block off to the heater core and call it a day, assuming I'm out of warranty.

 

[ehiebert]

Here;s an exploded view of the leak.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I'm just going to do a permanent block off to the heater core and call it a day.

Until I got around to replacing the heater core in my last 03, the only heat I had was from the seats. It was almost tolerable for how seldom it gets cold in Georgia.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Does it still pull way from the firewall in one big assembly once you drop the steering column?

Yes, according to Alldatadiy instructions.

 

[Chris3058]

Did my heater core... yeah it's a huge job. Here's what I found.

The heater core itself doesn't necessarily leak. In my case the issue was caused by a **** poor design of the heater core and a leaking $0.25 O-Right to the heater core input. Yeah all this work for a 25 cent O-ring.

Replaced O-ring, pressure tested at 15 PSI for an hour and all good.

Now Why the hell would Dodge put an O-Ring seal on a part that is so hard to get at. Really **** poor design to save $1 on the shipping box of the heater core from China is my only guess.

Dealer quotes on this fix ranged from $2200 to $2900. Go figure... for a 25 cent O-ring.

If anyone is doing this job I can provide advice and assistance.

Thanks for listening.

Should do a write up!! Im sure some will need it and it would be greatly appreciated…

 

[dajogejr]

No offense, I’m a pretty avid DIY guy for some things.
Seeing pictures like this… makes me glad I have the Max Care warranty…
Years ago I replaced the HC on my old 1988 Ranger, I cheated and removed just the bare minimum to get it out, new one in.
I woudn’t even think to attempt it looking at those pictures.
While I’m sure I have the tool and ability to do so.. I know for certain, I don’t have the time.