possible heater core?

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Nov 4, 2003 | 10:39 PM

parks911

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 2,543

Likes: 2

From: Georgia

possible heater core?

All windows fog up (an oily residue fog) on the inside of the truck when I have the heater running (defrost,vent or floor). all window cleaners that I've tried don't seem to work to relieve the problem. I also notice a very faint smell of coolant time to time with the heater blowing. But I still have very hot heat.

Please tell me if I'm right about the heater core, from searching this site & other experiences this is what I believe it is.

1988 Ford F-150 4X4 302 V-8 AOD

Nov 4, 2003 | 11:27 PM

Txquadhunter24

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 851

Likes: 1

with the smell of Coolant the heater core would be my guess. Ya might be able to feel the passanger side floor board and see if the carpet or rubber mat feels damp or wet.

Nov 5, 2003 | 03:45 AM

84Maztang

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 208

Likes: 0

From: Cheyenne

Most likely it is the heater core. But hey! Your in luck! It takes about 15 bucks, and 10 minuts work to replacve that sucker!
you just pop out your glove box, and remove 6 screws holding the cover on....remove your hoses from uner the hood, pull the old out, put the new in, seal up the cover with a good splotch of rtv, put your glove box back in , and your done....just did mine the other day on my 87, and it took all of 10 min. The hardest part was getting those damn cheap ford clamps to loosen enought to get the hose off! SEAN!

ps my truck is an 87 4x4 v8 AOD so your is p'bly exactly the same thing

Nov 5, 2003 | 04:05 AM

1ruralmailman

Mountain Pass

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 117

Likes: 2

From: upstate new york

be advised ,if you have air conditioning,there may not be any dampness on the inside floor area. usually the coolant just goes down the air conditioning drain tube to the outside of the truck.

Nov 5, 2003 | 05:12 AM

marragtop

Posting Guru

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,450

Likes: 2

From: Baltimore

Make sure the hoses aren't leaking at the heater core nipples. Could just be a loose clamp or damaged hose.

Nov 5, 2003 | 07:18 AM

pinerider

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 28

Likes: 0

From: Hamilton, Ont.

I'm happy it's just a small job - mine doesn't put out a lot of heat, may have to replace the core soon. I did one on an 87 Taurus wagon I had, it was a six hour book rate job, took me about 3 weeks - had to remove the whole dashboard to replace the heater core!

Nov 5, 2003 | 12:24 PM

84Maztang

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 208

Likes: 0

From: Cheyenne

I feel your pain! My First Heater Core was on a 90 Cuttlass supreme with the whole auto climate controll! Yeah buddy that sucker took me 3 weeks....thats why it took 3 weeks for me to fix my truck! It took me 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours just to have the courage to look at it! SEAN!