Need Heater Help
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Need Heater Help
All:
I know this is not the right spot for this, but you have always come through with info for my 150, so bear with me.
My other Ford, a '98 Windstar, has developed a heater problem.
I haven't taken it yet to the local dealer, but I have called.
Here is the problem:
Engine warms to operating temp.
Turn heat on, and it is a crap shoot. Sometimes I get heat, other times, COLD air. This is even true when I put the selector switch to Vent...sometimes heat, other times cold air.
Radiator flushed and thermostate replaced 3 months ago.
Dealer thinks it is the Blend Door, and that the heat I am getting is residual. I say Bull^&*%. When I do get heat it is hot. I would assume that any residual heat would be barely warm
My question, could it be the heater core? What are the symtoms of a heater core failure...loose heat all at once, or gradually?
I have not noticed any leaks etc.
Sorry for the long post, and excuse me for posting here, no one answered it in the Van forum, so I came back to you guys for advice.
Thanks
Dave
'78 F150
I know this is not the right spot for this, but you have always come through with info for my 150, so bear with me.
My other Ford, a '98 Windstar, has developed a heater problem.
I haven't taken it yet to the local dealer, but I have called.
Here is the problem:
Engine warms to operating temp.
Turn heat on, and it is a crap shoot. Sometimes I get heat, other times, COLD air. This is even true when I put the selector switch to Vent...sometimes heat, other times cold air.
Radiator flushed and thermostate replaced 3 months ago.
Dealer thinks it is the Blend Door, and that the heat I am getting is residual. I say Bull^&*%. When I do get heat it is hot. I would assume that any residual heat would be barely warm
My question, could it be the heater core? What are the symtoms of a heater core failure...loose heat all at once, or gradually?
I have not noticed any leaks etc.
Sorry for the long post, and excuse me for posting here, no one answered it in the Van forum, so I came back to you guys for advice.
Thanks
Dave
'78 F150
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,765
Likes: 547
From: Kalispell, MT
Need Heater Help
Thermostat - even new ones can be bad - check it repeatedly in a pan of water on the stove with a thermometer to see where it opens and how consistently. I'll bet its all over the place.
Heater core symptom is a leak. If it ain't leaking it ain't bad.
Heater core symptom is a leak. If it ain't leaking it ain't bad.
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Need Heater Help
Thanks. I too thought of that, but discounted it as the temp guage reads normal. No leaks. Also, I was talking with a buddy and he said I need to see what method the shop used to flush, and fill the radiator. He says that regardless, they should have closed off the heater hoses to prevent damage to the valves, so now I'm wondering if this could have been the problem. Regardless, I don't dare start tinkering with this on my own, I'm going to have the dealer look at it and tell me what he thinks.
Dave
'78 F150
Dave
'78 F150
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Need Heater Help
Dave, I don't know if your's is like some of the older Fords, but they used vacuum to operate the different door on the system. If you had a vacuum leak too great the doors wouldn't move. Just a thought. 
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Need Heater Help
Thanks Gentlemen:
The dealer mentioned a vaccum leak as well, but again, I have not noticed any difference in my cars performace.
I have felt the hoses while the engine was running, and they were hot, I did not feel them with the engine off.
I appreciate everyone's help. I am tired of paying for crappy service and getting a bunch of double talk. I kinda wanted to arm myself with info prior to going to the dealer, that way he doesn't think he's dealing with a mechanical idiot.
If it is the Blend door, I'm looking at somewhere between $400-600 parts and labor...ouch!!!!! )Not covered by the extended warranty. That would cut into my truck dollars...LOL!
Dave
'78 F150
The dealer mentioned a vaccum leak as well, but again, I have not noticed any difference in my cars performace.
I have felt the hoses while the engine was running, and they were hot, I did not feel them with the engine off.
I appreciate everyone's help. I am tired of paying for crappy service and getting a bunch of double talk. I kinda wanted to arm myself with info prior to going to the dealer, that way he doesn't think he's dealing with a mechanical idiot.
If it is the Blend door, I'm looking at somewhere between $400-600 parts and labor...ouch!!!!! )Not covered by the extended warranty. That would cut into my truck dollars...LOL!
Dave
'78 F150
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 172
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From: Milton Canada
Need Heater Help
This may be totally off base, particularly with such a new vehicle but I went through some heatless months with my truck before a friend made a suggestion. I was getting no hear although mechanically everything seemed fine. I removed the heater hoses and ran my garden hose through the core and the hoses to make sure nothing was plugged. I also changed out the thermostat and put a piece of plywood inside the grill to block the flow through the rad to reduce heat loss. The net result of this was still no heat. I mentioned this to some of the guys at work and one of them told me to switch the heater hoses (ie. swap them on the firewall where they go into the core). Presto, instant heat. I have no idea why this worked because as I said I flushed it all out with a garden hose, but obviously something was blocking the flow in the core and causing it to short circuit through the core instead of flowing through all the heat transfer area. At any rate, it's worth a shot since there's no cost involved.
Bonkrr
1978 F-150
Bonkrr
1978 F-150
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Need Heater Help
I don't usually mess around with these newer things. I don't own one, and wouldn't. BUT, all the "old" heater cores that have failed, was because they were leaking. I have changed some old leaking heater cores that were about half plugged, and they still put out heat. I kind of think your heat supply is controlled by vacuum, as that seems to be the hot set-up(no pun intended) these days. Possibly you have a vacuum hose or vacuum motor that isn't doing its job. My 24 year old son likes the newer stuff, maybe I can find him and ask. If you take your Ford to a dealer's service dept., they better be able to fix it for you. Oh yeah, now I remember...that's why I still drive my 1972 Ford. Those old trucks I can fix myself.
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Need Heater Help
All:
Again, thanks for all of the great advice.
Like most of you, I don't want to fool around with the newer models. This being the "family truckster" I don't want to mess around under the hood and really screw things up. Unfortunately I'm at the mercy of the dealership. I'm just glad that I have been armed with advice from this forum, and friends who help me with my truck from time to time. Like I said, want to go to the dealer armed with info. I'll let you know what the dealer said on Friday.
Thanks
Dave
'78 F150
Again, thanks for all of the great advice.
Like most of you, I don't want to fool around with the newer models. This being the "family truckster" I don't want to mess around under the hood and really screw things up. Unfortunately I'm at the mercy of the dealership. I'm just glad that I have been armed with advice from this forum, and friends who help me with my truck from time to time. Like I said, want to go to the dealer armed with info. I'll let you know what the dealer said on Friday.
Thanks
Dave
'78 F150
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 268
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From: North Texas
Need Heater Help
Here's a thought, and you've got to keep in mind that I don't know a thing about Windstars, but:
Are you and the dealer certain the heater blend doors are vacuum operated? Many newer vehicles use electric motor-actuators to control airflow through the HVAC system, since vacuum has gotten to be such an uncertain thing with "modern" engine control systems.
An electrical problem or failing actuator could be causing your problem.
Might be worth checking.
- R
Are you and the dealer certain the heater blend doors are vacuum operated? Many newer vehicles use electric motor-actuators to control airflow through the HVAC system, since vacuum has gotten to be such an uncertain thing with "modern" engine control systems.
An electrical problem or failing actuator could be causing your problem.
Might be worth checking.
- R
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Need Heater Help
Redbob:
Thanks. I will keep your comments and others with me as I go to the dealer. Like you, not an expert on the Windstar myself, hopefully, their diagnostic on the van will reveal something and I really hope it is something that is covered by the extended warranty. Thanks for your input.
Dave
'78 F150
Thanks. I will keep your comments and others with me as I go to the dealer. Like you, not an expert on the Windstar myself, hopefully, their diagnostic on the van will reveal something and I really hope it is something that is covered by the extended warranty. Thanks for your input.
Dave
'78 F150
