Heater Problems, Need Help
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Heater Problems, Need Help
I just got this bronco about 2 weeks ago and I'm learning a lot.
It's a good truck. It's a 1987 Ford Bronco II XLT 2.9L 4x4 Auto.
When I first got the truck the heat worked great. It was HOT. Now it has seemed to taper off and I'm having some problems with it.
Two things I think it might be, I might be totally off, but I'm still learning.
When I started the truck this morning and let it heat up for about 15 min, no hot air came out at all, it kept blowing cold air. It was when I drove it down the road, hot air started to pump out. When I slowed down or let it coast without any pressure on the gas, it would cool down again. Sitting at a stop light I would see the air flow start to cool off again. When driving down the road, it would heat up.
1) Can low engine coolant or air in the coolant cause the heater core not to fully heat up? I have heard a sound coming from under the center of the dash that sounds like bubbles or air? Hardto explain, but could a coolant change solve this?
-or-
2) Could the heater core be dead? If so, would replacing the heater core solve the heat problems? How and what makes the heater core work? I thought coolant just passed through it and made warm air.
Could someone please shed some light on this. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
-B
It's a good truck. It's a 1987 Ford Bronco II XLT 2.9L 4x4 Auto.
When I first got the truck the heat worked great. It was HOT. Now it has seemed to taper off and I'm having some problems with it.
Two things I think it might be, I might be totally off, but I'm still learning.
When I started the truck this morning and let it heat up for about 15 min, no hot air came out at all, it kept blowing cold air. It was when I drove it down the road, hot air started to pump out. When I slowed down or let it coast without any pressure on the gas, it would cool down again. Sitting at a stop light I would see the air flow start to cool off again. When driving down the road, it would heat up.
1) Can low engine coolant or air in the coolant cause the heater core not to fully heat up? I have heard a sound coming from under the center of the dash that sounds like bubbles or air? Hardto explain, but could a coolant change solve this?
-or-
2) Could the heater core be dead? If so, would replacing the heater core solve the heat problems? How and what makes the heater core work? I thought coolant just passed through it and made warm air.
Could someone please shed some light on this. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
-B
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 2
From: UT
The "gurgling" sound would indicate low coolant level. If you haven't flushed the cooling system lately, go ahead. Otherwise, just make sure the radiator and overflow are full.
As for 2), the heater core is simply a little "radiator". Coolant flows through it, warming the air that flows through the fins on the heater core. Two main failure modes that would necessitate replacing the heater core. By far the most common is one that leaks coolant. The other failure mode is when crud builds up in the coolant flow pathways, restricting coolant flow. Most of the time, backflushing the heater core to clean it out will rectify the problem. It's conceivable that it could become so clogged as to necessitate replacement.
Anyway, first, check the coolant level and maybe flush the old coolant out to start.
As for 2), the heater core is simply a little "radiator". Coolant flows through it, warming the air that flows through the fins on the heater core. Two main failure modes that would necessitate replacing the heater core. By far the most common is one that leaks coolant. The other failure mode is when crud builds up in the coolant flow pathways, restricting coolant flow. Most of the time, backflushing the heater core to clean it out will rectify the problem. It's conceivable that it could become so clogged as to necessitate replacement.
Anyway, first, check the coolant level and maybe flush the old coolant out to start.
