Hi, I recently bought a 2001 f150 5.4l 4x4 with 165000 km on it. It runs nice, no codes, but I have noticed that it takes upwards of 30 minutes for the truck to start blowing warm air.

it's -25C right now, so warming the truck up before leaving for work is a must.

After driving for about 5 minutes the engine temperature is in normal operating range, but while it idles the engine temperature barely increases.

I owned a 97 2.0l ranger before this and always had almost instant heat.

please advise

 

It should never take 30 minutes to get warm air. If you are not getting warm air when the engine water temp gauge is in the normal range you might have a plugged heater core, or the valve to the heater core may not be opening all the way hindering circulation.

It doesnt surprise me that you dont get much warm up at idle. Your new truck has WAY more reserve cooling capacity than a 2L Ranger. You need to burn some fuel in order to make heat, and you have a lot more engine mass and cooling system capacity to heat before it makes it to the cab.

On cold mornings mine is starting to blow warm after about 5 minutes of driving. Even with a 10 minute warm up it isn't blowing warm, you really need to drive it. I would consider this quite normal for these trucks, I have 2 (Expy and F150) and they behave the same.

If it gets cold enough that the truck can not maintain normal operating temp on the gauge while driving, then you need to consider a cold front and blocking some airflow.

 

Ok, so it's operating normally then. Because after about 5 minutes of driving I do get a nice flow of heat.

Thanks!

 

Yes, sounds normal. My '97 took forever to warm up from the time it was new. Doesn't make it any less annoying in this frozen hell though. On top of that to add insult the floor vent completely missed my feet.

 

no it's true, and it's too bad there isnt a high idle feature like on a diesel. oh well, i'm bundling up for the weather anyways.

 

after about 5 min or so in the driveway my 03 blows nice hot air!doesnt matter how cold it is ,this beast has the best damn heater ive ever had in any vehicle,period!2003 f150 xl with 4x4 and 4.6 litre motor.

 

Sounds like you could use some air blocking on the front grill to help warm it up faster. Nobody mentioned the thermostat, but it sounds like it's working OK.

 

I agree with spikedog, with the fan turning all the time you are just sucking that -25 air into your engine bay. For winter I put a cover in front of my rad with a hole in the middle to not block everything. It helps me get more heat on those cold days. Just remember to remove it when spring comes around. This is why almost all new Superduty trucks with a diesel around here come with a winter front. The front of the truck is fairly open and could use some help on cold days to help stay warm.

-25 C with the truck parked outside means that you should plug it in as well. You will spend a bit on power but make it up on improved fuel efficiency by having the engine warm up faster.

 

I disagree with both of you Unless the fan clutch is engaged, just because the fan is turning doesn't mean it is bringing in any appreciable air to the engine compartment. You are not getting heat any faster by blocking the radiator because the thermostat is closed and nothing is flowing through the radiator until after you are already getting heat.

I mentioned blocking the grille IF the truck was unable to maintain normal engine temp. -25C isn't nearly cold enough to cause this unless there is another problem. Otherwise, you really shouldn't do this. It is way to easy to overheat if you do not pay close attention. Diesles are a completely different animal. With a light load they will never warm up like a gas engine. I have owned lots of diesels and the only one that ever needed a cold fron was a D-max. The Cummins and Powerstroke trucks never did, even in northern Minnesota.

The BEST way to warm up an engine is to drive it gently until the coolant temp comes up. Idle time wastes fuel, plug in time wastes electricity. I wouldn't bother plugging a truck in until you where looking at -40 or lower (unless it is a powerstroke). With the correct oil in the crankcase you aren't hurting a thing.

 

Well, you did mention blocking in the grille first. If the truck can not maintain normal operating temp on the gauge while driving, I'd go with replacing the thermostat.

Are you keeping up with this, NorthernFordOwner? Fan clutches, blend doors, cold fronts.... Welcome to FTE!

 

My 01 Ford blows hot air after about 10 minutes in the morning before driving. Never had the issues you describe.

 

my 2001 5.4 will not open the thermostat at an idle. i have to get in and drive it 2-3 miles to get the temp up. dont know exact temp. but i doubt mine gets much over 150 degrees at idle. I think its just the fan blowing air aorund the motor, obviously thermostat is closed and not putting water thru radiator.

 

It could be time to replace the coolant thermostat. I replaced the one in my 2000 due to lack of temperature. The new 195 degree stat it works fine.

 

Sorry, work has been busy and I have been out of town for the last two days because of it.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

My truck while driving seems to be maintaining normal engine heat, and it takes maybe 10-15 minutes of actual driving to bring the temperature up just right.

I have considered changing the thermostat, but I was told that because while it is operating it maintains the proper heat, then chances are it isn't the thermostat.

I have it plugged in tonight, and I plan on taking it in tomorrow to get the supremo synthetic oil put in 'er. I would do it myself, but i already spend 10 hours a day outside, and my truck doesnt fit nicely into the garage.

Hopefully with it being plugged in, and some decent oil in it, I will see some higher temps quicker.

And thanks for the welcome to FTE, I really enjoy the forums

 

You could put a rock or a brick against the accelerator pedal to raise the idle speed.