1986 Bronco. 5.0L engine.

Here's the problem I'm having. The heater is working, but it doesnt get very hot. Every Ford I've ever been in will just about burn you out of the thing when the heat is on. Not this one. I drove today about 45 mins home and it never did get really good and hot. Temp was about 31-32F outside. The heater was blowing warm and warm only.

Here's what I know. There is plenty of coolant. The thermostat is working as far as it's opening and closing as best I can tell. I mean, that I can select cold on the dash and it gets cold. When I move it to hot, it's only warm. I'm not leaking any coolant anywhere.
I did notice that the radiator should probably be flushed as it's a little crappy looking down in there. Would that perhaps cause this?
Normally, I wouldnt care, but I hate when my feet get cold. Plus, I'm worried that maybe something terrible could be going on and this is just a symptom.

The Bronco is lifted 6". I wouldnt think that would have anything to do with it though. But one never knows.
Also, I did check the oil just to make sure there was no water in there. There is none, just oil. Good clean oil.
One other detail. The temp guage on the inside never even gets above the "C" mark. So I think it's not working and yes, I plan on fixing that pretty soon. I hate not being able to know what the water temp is doing.


Any ideas?

 

I just returned from 10 hrs trip 27-35 degrees and the heat **** was at about 2 o'clock and comfy. I would suggest mechanical temp (and oil while at it) gauges. Then you will know exactly what the thermostat is doing. Replacing the heater core made a huge difference on my heat so you may want to consider it while replacing coolant. Also a very small heater core leak can allow air in the system which is not good.

 

you may want to check your coolant levels, if you are low on that you won't get to much heat blowing into your truck

 

1) If you have done any coolant work, pull the radiator cap and idle for 20 minutes or so.
---if not----
2) Disconnect inlet and outlet hoses from heater, at the engine, not firewall, BACKFLUSH from thermostat side to water pump side. Take a look at flow, you dont need anything fancy, garden hose will do, you just need a little pressure.

There is probably scale in the core tubes or the fins are blocked by debris.

My 2 cents.

Moe

 

Check your heater core for clogs first, as described by moemeaders. If that's ok, I'd check the cable that pulls the temperature lever, and ensure it's adjusted properly. My last truck wasn't quite right, and that got me some more heat. I also found a bunch of insulation inside the blend-air door from some mice, and it blocked it from moving all the way, and never got hot air because too much cold was coming in.

 

Trble could still be the thermostat. The hot/cold control on your heater has nothing to do with the thermostat, besides it's and easy replacement and cheap, but I wouldn't get cheap thermostat.

 

That'll give me some things to go over this weekend. Thanks y'all.

 

Did you guys ever hear of an air pocket in core??? Just remove one hose then other (to find discharge)enough to let fluid out while running. And burp it. If not pressure in hose something else(blockage ,water pump.If presure good then take out blower and see what in there you might be surprised . The other thing is your heat door isn't opening . Or controls may be bad ,think you still had cables. Take cover off inside and run contols to see if moving . If it was water pump or thermostate would show on guage .

 

Me again Tried to edit my response but get up after waitin 10 minutes and 2 refresh.

Get/ do: flush system well. Then check core hoses while running this will help flush it out also . And will show if core blockage . Then move on 2 above.

 

Is the engine warming up on your temp gauge. I had the same problem the thermostat was stuck open...

 

RedRooster. No the temp gauge (oem/indash) never moves.
The air coming out of the vents is obviously warmer when I select "hot" on the control, but it's only warm, not hot.

I think over the weekend I'm going to drain the cooling system and flush it out real good and go ahead and put me another thermostat in just to cover all my bases. I have a feeling the factory temp gauge is broken or something. I have an aftermarket temp guage I'm going to check and see if it'll fit. I know it works.

 

Hi, I've got not much heat on my 1997 f250 truck. I bought a thermostat to change. Can you tell me where it is located?

Thanks,
Trevor

 

Diesel - don't know much about them. but, in general, follow the upper radiator hose to the block connection, beneath that connection is usually, and emphasize, usually below that. I run out of info after 1996. Do not attempt to swap until you have a new gasket. Look at the thermostat and see if it has any holes, or some type of "valve" on top. Ensure that is on top.

You can also try the forum threads specifically for your truck here on this site. on the upper part of this page, left side, you will see forums, click on list and select it for your truck.

Here is the tech man info from autozone for a 94-96 powerstroke
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800a2a5c.jsp



Good luck.
Moe

 

97 is the same as 96 just the last year of that body style.

 

I had a similar problem on my 97 F250 HD. The AC worked fine, but the temp was tepid at best. After trying about everything, I found an ink pen stuck in front of the door that controls air flow from the heater core. I am guessing the previous owner had dropped it down the defrost vent...