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Old Oct 24, 2004 | 07:35 PM
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Fog problem?

Sorry if this has been asked. Without the search function, I can only make about 1/2 the use of the site as before.

Our '89 has been fogging up the windows instead of defrosting them. Sometimes you can sort of see steam coming from the defroster. This steam definitely contains the smell of antifreeze. Where should I start looking for a leak? The heater core was replaced about 15,000 miles ago.

Thanks
 
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Old Oct 24, 2004 | 07:50 PM
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You need another heater core.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2004 | 08:08 PM
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Yeah, the heater core is about the only place that's going to happen. Check the fittings on it, too, and replace the hoses and clamps if they're old.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2004 | 09:45 PM
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Well, that is sort of what I expected, but being that it was changed only 15,000 miles ago, I am real surprised it would go again.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2004 | 10:41 PM
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defenetly the heater core ;/
here is a link that explains how to search the forum till they get everything back up and running
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=297298
 
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Old Oct 25, 2004 | 01:23 PM
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Thanks for the link. Now a question about replacing the heater core. Because the core is less than 25.00 and the couple of repair places I checked want $160.00 plus to do it, I will do it myself unless anyone here has a good reason for me not to. (Like it is an impossibly difficult job.) I have not changed it myself before, but saw it's location when it was done last time.

Questions... Chilton's says to replace the damaged sealer before putting in the new core. What exactly is this sealer? Is is a caulking of some sort? A foam seal for rattle proofing. The core is self contained, what could the "sealer" be?

bty - in searching for "heater core" as per the above link only a couple of hits were found on this site. This thread was not located even though "heater core" is obviously in it..
 

Last edited by Shepard; Oct 25, 2004 at 01:29 PM.
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Old Oct 25, 2004 | 01:36 PM
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I found the below on another site. Maybe I will just pay the price to get it done!
--------------------------------------


But if you're looking for a really long job that has little excitement
and little pride when your done -- the F-150 heater core replacement
is a good one. (I spent 8 hours to replace a $30 part -- Geez..)

Ear plugs, labeled plastic bags, and a pneumatic Ratchet are required
for the Ford F-150 dash disassembly.. I can't imagine how long it
would take without air tools.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2004 | 04:30 PM
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Now I have searched many sites regarding this job and found anything from the description above to someone saying it is a 30 minute job, "if you are slow."

Anyone here done this to a 89 or thereabouts f-150 with a/c? Is it a hard / frustrating job? Or is it as simple as removing the glove box, then the access dor and then changing the core out?
 
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Old Oct 25, 2004 | 05:16 PM
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It's a 20-30 minute job. Pull out the glove compartment, remove the cover and pull it out of the case.

You might have an electrolysis issue if you are going through heater cores that fast. Put one lead of a voltmeter in the coolant in the radiator, then touch the other lead to the negative battery terminal and check the reading, then the positive terminal and check the reading. Any significant voltage will eat cooling system parts in a hurry.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2004 | 07:58 PM
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Thanks, I will do it myself, then.
Even though it's only been 14 or 15,000 miles, it's been 6 years. The truck does not get used that much and sometimes that in itself can cause problems.

Originally Posted by Silver Streak
It's a 20-30 minute job. Pull out the glove compartment, remove the cover and pull it out of the case.

You might have an electrolysis issue if you are going through heater cores that fast. Put one lead of a voltmeter in the coolant in the radiator, then touch the other lead to the negative battery terminal and check the reading, then the positive terminal and check the reading. Any significant voltage will eat cooling system parts in a hurry.
 
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