Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 765

REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C 
compressor in the vehicle.  

15. Charge the refrigerant system. See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE.  

CORE-HEATER 

DESCRIPTION 

CORE-HEATER 

Fig. 142: Heater Core, Metal Retaining Clamps & Heater Core Tubes 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The heater core (1) is mounted into the HVAC air distribution housing, located behind the instrument panel. 
The heater core is a heat exchanger made of rows of tubes and fins. The heater core is secured to the air 
distribution housing by four plastic retaining tabs. The heater core tubes (3) are attached to the heater core by 
use of metal retaining clamps (2) and rubber O-ring seals. 

The heater core tubes are not serviced separately from the heater core. The air distribution housing must be 
removed from the vehicle to service the heater core. 

OPERATION 

CORE-HEATER 

Engine coolant is circulated through the heater hoses to the heater core at all times. As the coolant flows 
through the heater core, heat is removed from the engine and is transferred to the heater core tubes and fins. Air 
directed through the heater core picks up the heat from the heater core fins. The blend-air door allows control of 
the heater output air temperature by regulating the amount of air flowing through the heater core. The blower 
motor speed controls the volume of air flowing through the HVAC housing. 

The heater core cannot be repaired and it must be replaced if inoperative, leaking or damaged. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

REMOVAL 

CORE-HEATER 

Fig. 143: Air Distribution Housing Assembly 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Remove the HVAC housing assembly and place it on a workbench. See REMOVAL.  

2. Remove the air distribution housing from the HVAC housing. See REMOVAL.  

3. Remove the two screws (1) that secure the upper front passenger side floor duct (7) to the passenger side 

of the air distribution housing (8) and remove the duct. 

WARNING:

Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering 
column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect 
and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for 
the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further 
diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag 
system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental 
airbag deployment and possible personal injury or death.

WARNING:

Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before 
performing the following operation. See WARNING, and CAUTION. Failure 
to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal 
injury or death.

WARNING:

The heater core tubes are not serviced separately from the heater core. 
The heater core tubes should not be repositioned, loosened or removed 
from the heater core. Failure to follow this warning could result in a 
coolant leak and possible personal injury or death.

NOTE:

LHD model shown in illustrations. RHD model similar.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

4. Carefully remove the foam seal (4) from the heater core tube flange (5). If the seal is deformed or 

damaged, it must be replaced.  

5. Remove the screw (2) that secures the heater core tube flange to the air distribution housing.  

6. Disengage the plastic retainer (5) from around the heater core tubes (6) and remove the flange. 

Fig. 144: Plastic Retaining Tabs, Heater Core & Air Distribution Housing 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

7. Disengage the four plastic retaining tabs (1) that secure the heater core (2) to the passenger side of the air 

distribution housing (3) and carefully remove the heater core from the housing.  

INSTALLATION 

CORE-HEATER 

NOTE:

If the foam seal for the heater core tube flange is deformed or damaged, it 
must be replaced.

NOTE:

If the foam insulator around the heater core is deformed or damaged, the 
insulator must be replaced.

WARNING:

The heater core tubes are not serviced separately from the heater core. 
The heater core tubes should not be repositioned, loosened or removed 
from the heater core. Failure to follow this warning could result in a 
coolant leak and possible personal injury or death.

NOTE:

LHD model shown in illustrations. RHD model similar.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 145: Plastic Retaining Tabs, Heater Core & Air Distribution Housing 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Carefully install the heater core (2) into the passenger side of the air distribution housing (3) and engage 

the four plastic retainer tabs (1) that secure the heater core to the housing. Make sure the retaining tabs are 
fully engaged. 

Fig. 146: Air Distribution Housing Assembly 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

2. Position the heater core tube flange (4) over the heater core tubes (6) and onto the to the passenger side of 

the air distribution housing (8).  

3. Engage the plastic retainer (5) around the heater core tubes. Make sure the retainer is fully engaged 

around the tubes.  

NOTE:

If the foam insulator around the heater core is deformed or damaged, the 
insulator must be replaced.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro