Notices
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

Heater Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 4, 2005 | 09:58 AM
  #1  
f1butcher's Avatar
f1butcher
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 7
From: Greensboro
Heater Problems

Hello, I'm new to the site and look forward to posting question from time to time.

My problem lies in the Heater unit itself. I warn-up the engine and turn the heater on, for the first 5 seconds it puts out great heat ,then slowly gets cooler, till it is cold air. I have flushed the raditator and the engine block. The hoses to the heater coil is very hot. Oh, I replaced the thermostat also. A raditator shop told me that they thought it was the door flap. I did find part of a small spring clip on the floor below the heater. So I need to know is it hard to take the heater cover off and what to look for when I do? If I could find a drawing of the inter parts of the heater - that would help a bunch. Later the butcher
P.S. I have a 92 Ford Van 5.0 L
 

Last edited by f1butcher; Feb 4, 2005 at 10:19 AM. Reason: To add some details.
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2005 | 11:15 AM
  #2  
IB Tim's Avatar
IB Tim
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Club FTE Gold Member
...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! If you have a minute check out the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand FTE..

Check this out: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=300691
We are pleased you have chosen the best source for Fords!

Enjoy FTE …..
See you on the boards.
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2005 | 03:50 PM
  #3  
tom_foreman's Avatar
tom_foreman
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
My first guess would be a partially blocked heater core. It gets hot but when you blow air across it it cools off. If it were the blend door, I wouldn't think it would be hot at first.

By the way did you actuallly mean you have a 5.0L in your Aerostar?

Another possibility is that the water pump is not pumping full force. What does the temp gauge read?
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2005 | 06:18 PM
  #4  
M.Herrington's Avatar
M.Herrington
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Oh man, I almost started drooling when I saw the 5.0 Liter part
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 07:49 AM
  #5  
f1butcher's Avatar
f1butcher
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 7
From: Greensboro
Info

Sorry, when I use the word van - it means E-150 , Aerostar is a Mini Van.
So I have a E-150 Ford Van 5.0L V8 302 . Also both hoses going to the heater coil are hot, and it does blows hot air for the first 5 seconds. f1butcher
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2005 | 07:23 PM
  #6  
forder's Avatar
forder
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
I suggest that install a NEW heater core.
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2005 | 08:10 PM
  #7  
ford390gashog's Avatar
ford390gashog
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Club FTE Gold Member
you have a blocked heater core it results from lack of cooling system maintance
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 11:16 AM
  #8  
f1butcher's Avatar
f1butcher
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 7
From: Greensboro
Thanks for the info. I believe you nailed it. In August my air stopped blowing cold air, and with not much extra money , I rolled down the windows and made it through the summer. So do I need to get the air conditioning fixed or can I just get the heater coil fixed? Thanks , Butch
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 21, 2008 | 10:42 PM
  #9  
hbronco96's Avatar
hbronco96
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
same problem with my f250. when the truck is driving the heat is great but when i sit idle for 20 min it starts to cool down. the dealer told me the heater core is partially blocked. is this true? why cant they try to unblock it instead of installing a new one? i dont know if they checked the water pump but the engine does not over heat. i kind of hear a high whistle for a few seconds when i give it gas or let off.could that be some kind of vaccum leak? and could that be causing the bad heat at idle??? Please help!!! they want $350 to replace heater core and i am not sure that is the problem. they are known for guessing at fixes.they replaced brake pads and calipers for pull to the right when hard braking only to find when it need inspection the drag link was bad. but didnt admit they were wrong about the pads and calipers!!!!!!! now the after replacing that the truck no longer pulls! PLEASE HELP
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2008 | 11:01 AM
  #10  
forder's Avatar
forder
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Heater problems

My fix was to replace heater core. The heat coming out of the vents is now 140 degrees and steady. Hope this info helps you.
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2008 | 04:43 PM
  #11  
hbronco96's Avatar
hbronco96
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
did you have the same problem? heat was fine when driving but at idle it got cool?
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2008 | 08:31 PM
  #12  
forder's Avatar
forder
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
heater problems

Yes, then in about a month or so,it slowly progressed to very little heat. My 1989 E-150 wasn`t hard to change out the heater core. Hardest part was disconnecting the heater hoses from the engine compartment. Once I got the right tool for it, the rest was pretty easy.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 11:41 AM
  #13  
megaflex's Avatar
megaflex
New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ware Co. GA.
heater

my 2000 f150 heater doesnt blow hot air my temp gauge is higher than normal my fan clutch seems to stay on more and my radiator don't seem to be circulating also my heater core hoses arent hot. My question is where do I start at fixin the problem theremostat or core. thanks, MEGAFLEX
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 01:49 PM
  #14  
gearloose1's Avatar
gearloose1
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Warm the engine up, stop the engine.

Then disconnect the exit side of the heater core house

Connect a length of hose into a large jug (a few gallons)

With the rad cap open (no pressure in system), measure the flow rate through the heater core... if the flow out is not greatly fast, then:

A) try back flush the heater core (disconnect other hose, feed hot water through it).

B) failing that, replace the heater core.

Before you do B), make sure that there is not a vacuum operated door that is closed or not operating properly causing no hot air to go from the core to the car interior.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2009 | 07:12 PM
  #15  
Rod Bender's Avatar
Rod Bender
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Ok,

I have a somewhat similar problem, driving the van with it just on 'vent' the temp gauge goes a little past half way. I turn on the AC, MAX and the temp drops to half way.

My question, how do you check the vacuum module that operates the heater door ?

Is there a relay for that function ? If so, where, which one is it ?

Thanks, Greg
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:26 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE