Slow heating
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Slow heating
Lately we had single digit cold weather n my 96 explorer heater is not working well. The temp. gauge niddle was barely in the normal range.
Is this normal? Should i check into my coolant n thermostat? How can i tell is time to replace thermostat or add more coolant?
My explorer has over 80K miles. Any suggestion would b appreciated. Thanx in advance.
^__^
Is this normal? Should i check into my coolant n thermostat? How can i tell is time to replace thermostat or add more coolant?
My explorer has over 80K miles. Any suggestion would b appreciated. Thanx in advance.
^__^
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Slow heating
Most likely thermostat is stuck open. Happened to me and I did not realize it till first real cold snap and needed heat. An easy check is to get a meat or candy thermometer and check water temp at radiator. Should be around 195 degrees when fully warmed up with visible water flow in radiator. If lower, thermostat is probably stuck part/full open.
Dialtone
Dialtone
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Utica, NY
Slow heating
Originally posted by 1explorer
Lately we had single digit cold weather n my 96 explorer heater is not working well. The temp. gauge niddle was barely in the normal range.
Is this normal? Should i check into my coolant n thermostat? How can i tell is time to replace thermostat or add more coolant?
My explorer has over 80K miles. Any suggestion would b appreciated. Thanx in advance.
^__^
Lately we had single digit cold weather n my 96 explorer heater is not working well. The temp. gauge niddle was barely in the normal range.
Is this normal? Should i check into my coolant n thermostat? How can i tell is time to replace thermostat or add more coolant?
My explorer has over 80K miles. Any suggestion would b appreciated. Thanx in advance.
^__^
Sounds like what I've noticed recently in mine. The temps here have even gone below zero. There is heat coming out, but it is a starke comparison to my father 00 X which blows you away with heat (his termostat was replaced last summer). I have a 98 and although it only has 34,000 miles (previous owner obviously didn't drive much) I know it doesn't exempt it from some problems, after all it is five years old (it's still an overall a great truck
)
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Slow heating
Another easy way to check is to sqeeze the upper radiator hose after the engine has been running awhile. If it's luke warm then the thermostat is stuck open. If you have an electric fan(s), don't turn on your defrost switch and listen for the fan to cut on. There's an engine temp sensor located in the block that will tell the fan to help cool down the water flowing through it. If it doesn't kick on, it means the engine is staying cool with no help. All in all, go ahead and change the thermostat. They aren't that expensive and are really simple to change out (two bolts). Also, look at your radiator reservoir. Most folks tend to think it's just for overflow, but there's supposed to be fluid showing on the cold level when the engine is cold.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Utica, NY
Slow heating
Well, turns out mine was stuck open. Brought it to the dealer and they replaced it under warantee. They also found a lot of crud when flushing out the radiator. Make me wonder if the previous owner ever had it flushed being he only put 17,000 miles on it in three years 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rterril02
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
8
Jun 26, 2016 09:31 AM
Neo01
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
12
Apr 27, 2015 10:54 PM
