Heater quit!?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: CA
Heater quit!?
It's a 1973 F-100 with the standard heater (no A/C). It suddenly quit throwing warm air over the past week! The engine runs at the same temp it has for years, so I don't suspect the thermostat. Blower works fine, and I checked the heater cables, no problem. No leaks from heater either. I doubt the heating element is clogged as the coolant is always very clean (light green-no rust). Is there something I'm missing here?
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by Polkat
It's a 1973 F-100 with the standard heater (no A/C). It suddenly quit throwing warm air over the past week! The engine runs at the same temp it has for years, so I don't suspect the thermostat. Blower works fine, and I checked the heater cables, no problem. No leaks from heater either. I doubt the heating element is clogged as the coolant is always very clean (light green-no rust). Is there something I'm missing here?
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 537
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From: Graves County, KY
I would still suspect a clogged heater core. Try pulling the hoses and squirting your garden hose through them. That worked for me.
*EDIT* ...or as eric said, check the valve if you have one. I dont' know if non ac models had one or not. Pull the vacuum hose to it (it defaults to open) and see what happens.
*EDIT* ...or as eric said, check the valve if you have one. I dont' know if non ac models had one or not. Pull the vacuum hose to it (it defaults to open) and see what happens.
Last edited by wintremute; Jan 9, 2006 at 09:10 PM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 51
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From: ohio
check coolant level first . if full check heater hoses with engine warmed up . both hoses should be hot to hold for more than a few seconds . ( check hoses close to firewall ) if they are both hot you should have heat , one hot means coolant not flowing through heater core .
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,364
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From: Eustis FL
No valve in non-ac trucks that I have ever seen...
But yeah, check hoses. Chances are they are both not hot, as coolant won't flow if there is a clog. Is it real cold where you are? I installed a tap (from a flushing kit) on one of my heater hoses that I could crack should any freezing occur. Just a slight crack open will allow a small bit off coolant to flow, then a rush of hot coolant will come through the hoses in no time. If you haven't done a core change, it's relatively easy on a non ac truck. I converted mine to a high output core by modifying my plenum. (cut out the support plate and relocate or fab another... Or install a small block to support the new core. These HO cores, if you compare, are actually CHEAPER than the standard cores!
Mark
But yeah, check hoses. Chances are they are both not hot, as coolant won't flow if there is a clog. Is it real cold where you are? I installed a tap (from a flushing kit) on one of my heater hoses that I could crack should any freezing occur. Just a slight crack open will allow a small bit off coolant to flow, then a rush of hot coolant will come through the hoses in no time. If you haven't done a core change, it's relatively easy on a non ac truck. I converted mine to a high output core by modifying my plenum. (cut out the support plate and relocate or fab another... Or install a small block to support the new core. These HO cores, if you compare, are actually CHEAPER than the standard cores!
Mark
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