Intermitent no heat

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Dec 4, 2015 | 05:05 AM

afmedic

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Intermitent no heat

So I tried searching and I couldn't find too much related to my problem. The only things I could find were for expeditions.

I was driving yesterday and had no heat, tried rotating the dial several times, changed the vent setting and such and no heat front or rear. Then all of a sudden while waiting for a train to pass, the heat started working in the front and rear.

This morning I stated her up and had heat, but by the time I got to work (30 minutes) it was barely warm. Thank goodness for heated seats!

Anyone have any ideas on this? It's 26 degrees out and I'm at work, so it'll be this evening before I get a chance to look at it.

2000 limited v10 4x4 in case it didn't show up.

Dec 4, 2015 | 05:31 AM

carbon coupe

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From: South Eastern Michigan

Low coolant, you have an air bubble travelling through the system.

Dec 4, 2015 | 05:34 AM

afmedic

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I didn't even really consider that. I do know my gauge warms up just barely to the line and no more. I never gave much thought to that though since I had heat

Dec 4, 2015 | 06:06 AM

Romanova

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From: Cypress TX

Don't trust what the gauge says... plug a Scan Gauge or something similar into your Ex and see what the coolant temp really is.

Dec 4, 2015 | 06:41 AM

carbon coupe

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From: South Eastern Michigan

Generally, if you have a bubble, or cavity, in the coolant flow, the gauge will just halt where it was last wet. Also, OEM gauges only have 4 or 5 ranges for needle level and they work fairly slow. If you see the gauge spike, its too late. I would put some mechanical gauges or something like Romanova suggested on it so you know exactly whats going on. But for now, "fill 'er up".

Dec 4, 2015 | 09:09 AM

afmedic

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Well I checked the coolant level and it isn't full, but it is close enough. I did notice that it is OLD. Like, maybe original. It is almost black, and it smells horrible. I guess I'm due for a coolant flush. Maybe it just got clogged with some junk.

Dec 4, 2015 | 09:15 AM

carbon coupe

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Joined: Oct 2010

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From: South Eastern Michigan

Well, your coolant could be spent if its that dark. Also could be clogged. But, the bubble could be in the engine. Either way, get it flushed, original coolant at this age cant be doing anyone any good.

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Dec 4, 2015 | 10:10 AM

afmedic

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pirate4x4_camo

Blower works appropriately, front and rear. Ac has never been cold, so the air isn't cold, but it is no where near warm. The heat worked last time I drove it, didn't work at first yesterday, and then this morning I still had heat, but it faded by the time I got to work. Front and rear are the same, either both blow hot or both blow cold. Once my heart came back in the front it seemed like it took a few more minutes for the rear to blow hot.