Notices
Aerostar Ford Aerostar

Clogged heater core?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 05:46 PM
  #1  
Aeropain's Avatar
Aeropain
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Clogged heater core?

I let my 88 warm up, but I don't get any heat. Checked the coolant level (when cold of course) and it is ok.

One heater hose gets too hot to touch (like the rad hoses), the other heater hose (the one leading to the pump) stays cold.

I'm thinking I need to disconnect both hoses, connect that cold hose to a garden hose and reverse flush the core.

Any thoughts? War stories?
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2004 | 05:17 AM
  #2  
SgtJoe's Avatar
SgtJoe
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg Air Force Base
So far I would think you're on track. Is there a valve inline with a heater hose? Check for temp before and after it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2004 | 03:23 PM
  #3  
Beast12's Avatar
Beast12
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
BOTH heater core hoses should be hot. If only ONE is hot then the core is probably plugged. If they are both hot then it could be a blend door problem. AeroColorado or someone should be able to help you with that problem. Good luck!

-Matt
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2004 | 08:52 PM
  #4  
Aeropain's Avatar
Aeropain
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Well, I went to the autoparts store and bought 2 5/8" heater hose repair kits (plastic pipe and 2 clamps) then I went to the Home Improvment store and bought a female hose repair fitting.

I cut the heater hoses, and put the female hose fitting on the heater core outlet hose. I then hooked up the garden hose (through a spray nozzle so I'd have control of the flow). Put a 5 gal bucket under the free end of the heater's input hose and turned on the water.

I got a bucket full of gray glop. The former owner had mentioned having the heads redone, so I think that's the culprit. (Yes he was the sort to simply say oh well and have no heat for 3 years)

I cleaned up, and used the repair kits to reconnect the hoses, fired her up, and voila! Heat!

Booya!
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2004 | 09:31 PM
  #5  
psyche's Avatar
psyche
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: oakland
That's what I call ingenuity!
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 05:52 AM
  #6  
Beast12's Avatar
Beast12
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Good job! Well worth the time and effort. Better than changing the core out!

-Matt
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 01:00 PM
  #7  
SgtJoe's Avatar
SgtJoe
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg Air Force Base
I'll put that one in my book of tricks. Great thinking and we appreciate the tip!
 
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2004 | 09:41 PM
  #8  
Aeropain's Avatar
Aeropain
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Glad of it helps someone else.


Just for clarity, the garden hose attaches to the heater hose that leads to the water pump. That way you are reverseing the flow of liquid and pushing whatever is in the way back out the way it came in (and obviosuly could fit through any openings)
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 2, 2004 | 09:33 PM
  #9  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
How about my heater problem, the rear heater works but the front one does not blow hot air, any ideas.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2004 | 09:36 PM
  #10  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
sorry forgot to mention, both the hoses to the heater are getting hot.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2004 | 09:37 PM
  #11  
Beast12's Avatar
Beast12
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Probably a plugged heater core as well. Feel your heater core hoses and see if they are warm. Could also be a blend door problem.

-Matt

EDIT: You got in just before me. I would guess blend door problem.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2004 | 09:38 PM
  #12  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
heater

now how do I get to this blend door and were about's is it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2004 | 09:40 PM
  #13  
Beast12's Avatar
Beast12
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I am not sure about the Aerostar. It is not my "forte". You could do a search on it. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...earchid=325230

-Matt
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2004 | 09:42 PM
  #14  
cbr900's Avatar
cbr900
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
yes I guess so thanks anyway beast12.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
conoso
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jun 18, 2016 07:32 AM
Vegas Van
Aerostar
24
Dec 29, 2015 08:40 PM
cjben
General Automotive Discussion
1
Dec 8, 2015 11:14 PM
Rusty_S
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
28
Nov 29, 2015 07:28 PM
MikeD1980
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Jan 23, 2011 11:10 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:09 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE