I've got a 97 dodge ram 1500, my vents blow air through them when im driving even when I have it off. In the summer I turn the temp control to cold even though the ac doesn't work to keep the heat from blowing. I've noticed that when I switch it over to ac that one of my floor vents on the passenger side leaks coolant into the carpet right under it. I thought maybe it's the heater core but I thought the heat wouldn't work if it was bad.

 

Sounds like you have a bad heater core and possible blend doors/seals need to be replaced. Heat will still work somewhat with a bad heater core, but anti-freeze inside the truck is a sure sign of a leaky heater core.

 

Heat will work until you run out of coolant. I would agree it sounds like to have a leaking heater core. If your a/c already doesn't work its a pretty straight forward job replacing. Finding a recovery machine to save your freon is the hardest part in doing a heater core in my opinion.

Also if you have any intentions keeping this truck long term I would not replace it the easy way with swivel connections. the solid ones are much longer term, I've had multiples fail prematurely. Its frustrating that some newer models this is the only option.

And if you wanted to repair your a/c this could be a great opportunity to replace the evaporator in the dash.

 

And fixing the various mode doors, and replacing the seals.

 

how long can I put off fixing it? I plan on keeping the truck awhile ive been fixing it up and plan to keep doing so

 

If you disconnect the heater core hoses from the heater core under the hood and either plug them off or join the two hoses together with a tube, you can keep driving the truck until you need heat again in the winter.

By the way, if you find an OE heater core without the rotating lines, please let me know. I'm looking for one to replace my heater core when I end up rebuilding the entire dash, hopefully later this year.

 

LMC Truck is where I get em. The last one I got was anyway.

 

How long ago? The OE heater cores seem to have been discontinued a while ago..

 

You can disconnect the hoses going to and from the heater core and use a pipe to connect them together. You will NOT have any heat until you replace the core though.

 

Boy that's a question of estimated guessing. Over 5 years I suppose. I been playing mostly in the 3rd gen trucks last few years.

I'll order one and let you know lol. I still have a couple 2nd gens rolling around that might need one if they ever get running again.