Hardly any heat
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Hardly any heat
Everytime I try to find the answer to my questions I can't find what I'm looking for. I'm a very impatient man, so when I make an enquiry, BAM, I want the answer right there lol.
So I'll start a new thread: heating issue, here is what I got. '98 f150 4x4 automatic. Upper rad hose is collasped, the overflow tank is full, but I have hardly any heat, the system does not build up pressure and at times I smell anitfreeze also the temp gage only goes up to about 1/4. Also hot or cold the level of the fluid in the overflow tank reamins the same. I hope I'm not looking at a head gasket issue.
So I'll start a new thread: heating issue, here is what I got. '98 f150 4x4 automatic. Upper rad hose is collasped, the overflow tank is full, but I have hardly any heat, the system does not build up pressure and at times I smell anitfreeze also the temp gage only goes up to about 1/4. Also hot or cold the level of the fluid in the overflow tank reamins the same. I hope I'm not looking at a head gasket issue.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
Have you tried a new thermostat? Drain out a gallon of coolant, tuck a rag around the block under the TS housing so no coolant runs down a plug hole. 8MM socket takes the bolt off the top of the TS housing ( holds PS bracket) 10 MM socket pulls the 2 bolts off the housing. Wiggle it up enough and then pop the thermostat out. Replace it and the O-ring. It is easier if you pull the intake ductwork between the throttle body and the air filter.....gives you a little more room to work.
Where does the coolant smell come from? Under the hood or further back?
Usually a head gasket will do things like blow the coolant out the plastic tank after warm...weird stuff like that...gauge will spike around...you said your gauge stays the same ( only lower) and the coolant level stays constant?
Where does the coolant smell come from? Under the hood or further back?
Usually a head gasket will do things like blow the coolant out the plastic tank after warm...weird stuff like that...gauge will spike around...you said your gauge stays the same ( only lower) and the coolant level stays constant?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I first smelt antifreeze when sitting in the cab addressing my 4x4 issue. First thing I did was go back and smell the exaust, no antifreeze there. The gauge does not fluxuate , it goes to about a 1/4 and stays there. I bought the truck a couple of days ago about a 45 minute drive home, there was no signs of "overheating" or anything like that. Gauge went up to 1/4 and stayed there but hardly any heat, blower motor has high only (another minor issue lol). I can't say for sure but I don't think the fluid level changes in the overflow tank and like I said there is no pressure buildup in the rad hose, it's actually collasped.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
Hmmmmm. Sounds like a vacuum problem...maybe? For sure go get a new radiator cap and try that. They are cheap and that may solve it.
Coolant small in the cab? Do the windows have a film on the inside? Maybe heater core.
Coolant small in the cab? Do the windows have a film on the inside? Maybe heater core.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
There's no "rad" cap just the cap on the overflow tank. The first night I bought it home after sitting awhile it steamed up inside I guess. I didn't see myself, my daughter's boyfriend mentioned it.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I did noticed the first time I took the cap off the overflow the other day there was a little pressure there, not much but a little.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
If it was me.....#1 try a new cap...then if no good...#2 new thermostat. You need to get your cooling system running right then see if the heat comes back. Steam on the windows and the smell of coolant in the cab are classic "bad heater core". It requires that you remove the dash to get at it.
My 98 started doing that last fall.....because of its mileage and other issues I used some of the Bars Stop Leak and that solved it right away....still no issues. I don't suggest ever using that stuff, but in my case I was retiring the truck soon due to other issues, and actually it worked very well...(knock on wood...LOL)
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Well I haven't been able too get this looked after yet, weather pretty ****ty here and I have no place to work at it. My daughters boyfriend has a junked subaru in my garage 
. Any way I get the impression that you feel that this isn't a head gasket issue. Just trying to mentally prepare myself for worst case situation.
. Any way I get the impression that you feel that this isn't a head gasket issue. Just trying to mentally prepare myself for worst case situation.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 31
From: Winnipeg
I agree on the recovery tank coolant cap.
There are 2 valves in the cap; one allows expanded coolant under approx. 16psi pressure into recovery bottle and the other allows recovery bottle coolant back into the radiator under vacuum as the engine coolant cools.
Yours may have the vacuum style valve stuck not allowing return coolant to engine so it's like having no coolant in the engine which collapses the hose and gives you no heat. You can also overheat the engine this way. Also check the recovery to radiator hose for possible collapse.
There are 2 valves in the cap; one allows expanded coolant under approx. 16psi pressure into recovery bottle and the other allows recovery bottle coolant back into the radiator under vacuum as the engine coolant cools.
Yours may have the vacuum style valve stuck not allowing return coolant to engine so it's like having no coolant in the engine which collapses the hose and gives you no heat. You can also overheat the engine this way. Also check the recovery to radiator hose for possible collapse.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I went to the dealership to pick up a coolant cap. Guy there told mre that wasn't my problem. So I wound up buying a thermastat and o-ring ($ 45+). I now have more heat than I had before, not as much as I think should be there. There is some pressure build up in the upper rad hose but does not get "solid' the way it should. The upper rad hose and bothhoses for the heater core get hot. Also the bottom rad hose is not warm at all, almost like there is no circulation. I squeezed both upper and lower rad hoses and can see the coolant in the tank moving, so I don't feel it's plugged. Are we still thinking coolant cap or maybe bad water pump ?