Chrysler Repair: Heater Core: Cirrus, chrysler cirrus, heater core

Question
I have a 96 Chrysler Cirrus V6 2.5 with a/c, when purchasing a heater core can I buy a regular heater core, or do I have to purchase one that is made for a car with a/c.  I'm buying online and not sure which one to purchase.

Again, my car has a/c.

Thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Marcus,
I have a second thought about your question. I believe what the catalog may be listing are two different "cores". The heater core is the heater core, regardless of whether or not you have a/c. The "a/c core" probably means the the "a/c evaporator" which is designed to do same thing (to change the temperature of the air) but it is really part of the a/c system and is really not technically described as a "core". I would expect that the "a/c" is more expensive than the "heater core" if this is the case. So I would suggest that you call the company on Tuesday and clarify this. I suspect that it is really rare that cars are sold nowdays without a/c and so I doubt there is a heater core that is different if your car does or doesn't come with a/c. So I hope you can learn directly from the vendor that what they really are selling is either a heater core or an a/c evaporator, and what you want in that case is a "heater core". I hope that you can correct the order if you were mislead by how they were listed.
Roland




Hi Marcus,
If the vendor specifies that there are two different cores then buy the one for the type of car you have...the one for the car that has an a/c. If you don't have a manual that describes how to replace the core, then let me know and I can send you a couple of pages by U.S. mail. The shop manual says that if a significant amount of coolant has leaked that you will want to remove the a/c housing unit and clean it before replacing the core. But that is a 32 step process to remove it! I hope that isn't required.
Roland