Heater Acting Up
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 199
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From: Michigan
Heater Acting Up
Hey guys,
Long time no posts here. I've been having a problem with my heater lately. I know its been cold here in MI, 3 degrees right now, but something strange is going on and I want to fix it before it causes more problems.
I have a remote start so I've been trying to warm my truck for 5-10 minutes before I drive it, this past week 10 minutes has been doing nothing to warm it up. At the time the temps were in the low 30s out, so I think 10 minutes should have warmed it up sufficiently. Normally the temp gauge would be around 1/4 of the way above C, but is stays at C the entire time. I tried warming it for 15 minutes, same thing. When I start driving the truck though, the gauge goes right up to half way. The air blowing out of the heater stays cold though. Very slight heat but nowhere near as hot as it should be. Eventually it will warm up but it takes a long time, 10 minutes of driving after 10-15 minutes or so of warming? Today it felt like all at once I felt a rush of hot air and it started blowing hot air out.
Now, I've heard that this could possibly be from low coolant. I checked the reservoir and its exactly on the bottom line of the fill level, I assume that is a little low so I'm going to purchase the motorcraft premium quality coolant from Ford tomorrow and mix it 50/50 with some distilled water and add some to the radiator. One question is, is it necessary to do this or can I just buy some regular anti freeze from the store?
After mentioning what happened today with the heat suddenly blowing out my dad said it could be a bad thermostat. Does this sound correct? If so, is it easy to replace and how do I do it?
I've read that bad heater cores have some obvious symptoms such as being able to smell coolant and coolant leaking in on the passenger side, I've experienced none of the symptoms and no leaks underneath the truck either.
Is there anything else that could be causing this to happen? Everyone has always commented on what a great heater my truck has had, I hope I can fix it! Sorry this is so long, thanks for your help!
Long time no posts here. I've been having a problem with my heater lately. I know its been cold here in MI, 3 degrees right now, but something strange is going on and I want to fix it before it causes more problems.
I have a remote start so I've been trying to warm my truck for 5-10 minutes before I drive it, this past week 10 minutes has been doing nothing to warm it up. At the time the temps were in the low 30s out, so I think 10 minutes should have warmed it up sufficiently. Normally the temp gauge would be around 1/4 of the way above C, but is stays at C the entire time. I tried warming it for 15 minutes, same thing. When I start driving the truck though, the gauge goes right up to half way. The air blowing out of the heater stays cold though. Very slight heat but nowhere near as hot as it should be. Eventually it will warm up but it takes a long time, 10 minutes of driving after 10-15 minutes or so of warming? Today it felt like all at once I felt a rush of hot air and it started blowing hot air out.
Now, I've heard that this could possibly be from low coolant. I checked the reservoir and its exactly on the bottom line of the fill level, I assume that is a little low so I'm going to purchase the motorcraft premium quality coolant from Ford tomorrow and mix it 50/50 with some distilled water and add some to the radiator. One question is, is it necessary to do this or can I just buy some regular anti freeze from the store?
After mentioning what happened today with the heat suddenly blowing out my dad said it could be a bad thermostat. Does this sound correct? If so, is it easy to replace and how do I do it?
I've read that bad heater cores have some obvious symptoms such as being able to smell coolant and coolant leaking in on the passenger side, I've experienced none of the symptoms and no leaks underneath the truck either.
Is there anything else that could be causing this to happen? Everyone has always commented on what a great heater my truck has had, I hope I can fix it! Sorry this is so long, thanks for your help!
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24
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From: ontario
You have to remember that when the temperature is in the extreme's it does take a bit for the truck to warm up. In your case it does seem extreme.
Another cheap way of testing is to see what the ratio of anti-freeze to water is in your rad. if its too much one way or another it will lower or raise the boiling/freezing point of the fluid. That will dictate how fast your engine will heat up the anti-freeze, which in turn affects how your heater blows air. (since it extracts the heat out of the fluid to warm the interior air of the cab)
you can buy this anti-freeze tester at any auto shop. (crappy tire up here in canada) for 5 bucks.
Personally, you sound like me and are letting your 'rep' (greater heater) make you jump to worrying about nothing.
just my 2 cents.
Another cheap way of testing is to see what the ratio of anti-freeze to water is in your rad. if its too much one way or another it will lower or raise the boiling/freezing point of the fluid. That will dictate how fast your engine will heat up the anti-freeze, which in turn affects how your heater blows air. (since it extracts the heat out of the fluid to warm the interior air of the cab)
you can buy this anti-freeze tester at any auto shop. (crappy tire up here in canada) for 5 bucks.
Personally, you sound like me and are letting your 'rep' (greater heater) make you jump to worrying about nothing.
just my 2 cents.