I had my heater core replaced in my 97 F-150 11 months ago. It failed after 2 months, was replaced. It then failed again 6 months later. I contacted the dealership and let them know what had happened and that I would bring it in soon. I brought it to them on Monday and they are saying that they won't fix it again because I have 16K since the original repair and that they only cover the repair for 12K (I was told it was 12 months). Does anyone know or have a contact at Ford that I can get in touch with? I tried the 'customer service' route.... it was a joke.

HELP!!

 

I would say the dealer owes you a new heater core. There is a TSB for this very problem. They should have followed the following procedure when they replaced it the first time.

Heater Core - Repeated Failure
Article No.
01-15-6

08/06/01

^ CLIMATE CONTROL - REPEAT HEATER CORE FAILURE

^ COOLING SYSTEM - REPEAT HEATER CORE FAILURE

FORD:
1985-1994 TEMPO
1985-1997 THUNDERBIRD
1985-2002 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG
1986-2002 TAURUS
1988-1993 FESTIVA
1993-1997 PROBE
1994-1997 ASPIRE
1995-2000 CONTOUR
2000-2002 ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS
2002 THUNDERBIRD
1985-1990 BRONCO II
1985-1996 BRONCO
1985-1997 F-250 HD, F-350
1985-2002 ECONOLINE, F-150, RANGER
1986-1997 AEROSTAR
1988-1997 F SUPER DUTY
1991-2002 EXPLORER
1995-2002 WINDSTAR
1997-2002 EXPEDITION
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT

LINCOLN:
1985-1992 MARK VII
1985-2002 CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR
1993-1998 MARK VIII
2000-2002 GLS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR

MERCURY:
1985-1994 TOPAZ
1985-1997 COUGAR
1985-2002 GRAND MARQUIS
1986-2002 SABLE
1991-1999 TRACER
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1993-2002 VILLAGER
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER

ISSUE

Some vehicles may exhibit (repeat) heater core leaks. This may be caused by a chemical reaction called electrolysis. Electrolysis involves an ion exchange between the heater core and engine coolant which can result in a breakdown of the heater core material. This is similar to the operation of a battery.

ACTION

Check for electrolysis on any vehicle with a heater core failure. If electrolysis is verified, flush the coolant and follow additional steps as required. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Electrolysis Inspection

If there is a condition of a heater core leaking or repeal heater core leak, check for electrolysis using the following procedure:

1. To check for electrolysis use a DVOM set on DC volts. Place the positive probe of the meter in the engine coolant and the negative probe on the negative battery post.

2. Adjust engine throttle to 2000 RPM to properly get coolant flow and true electrolysis voltages.

3. If more than .4V is recorded, flush the coolant and recheck (follow guidelines in TSB 98-23-16 for Cougar). See Coolant Fill Procedure below to remove trapped air on 4.6/5.4/6.8L modular engines.

NOTE EXPORT MARKETS, BE SURE THE WATER IS DESALINATED.

4. If there is still excessive voltage present in the coolant, check the engine to body/battery grounds. Also, verify proper grounding of any aftermarket electrical/electronic equipment which has been installed into the vehicle. Improperly grounded electrical devices can cause electrolysis to occur.

5. If the condition is still present after the grounds have been checked, it may be necessary to add extra grounds to the heater core and engine. A hose clamp can be used to secure a 16 AWG stranded copper wire to the heater core inlet tube. The other end should be secured to an EXISTING FASTENER on the body sheet metal. Extra grounds to the engine should be attached between EXISTING FASTENERS on the engine and body sheet metal. Verify continuity of any added grounds to the negative battery terminal.

6. If the condition is still present, add a restrictor (part F1UZ-18D406-A) on the inlet hose with the arrow facing the direction of coolant flow (toward heater core). Cut the line and install with 2 hose clamps. It is important that the restrictor be installed in the right direction of flow and as close to the engine block as possible (not near the heater core itself).


Coolant Fill Procedure

At times, in order to completely remove any trapped air in the cooling system of vehicles equipped with 4.6/5.4/6.8L modular engines, it may be necessary to use the following procedure:

1. Disconnect the heater hose at the right front or rear of the engine.

2. Remove the thermostat and housing.

3. Using the thermostat opening, carefully fill the engine with the proper clean coolant mixture until observed at the engine side heater hose connection.

4. Reconnect the heater hose and reinstall the thermostat and housing.

5. Fill the degas bottle to the coolant fill level mark.

6. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperatures.

7. Select max heat and max blower speed on the climate system.

NOTE IF THE HEAT OUTPUT IS INSUFFICIENT, OR THE ENGINE DOES NOT REACH NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES, VERIFY PROPER THERMOSTAT OPERATION AND REPEAT PROCEDURE IF REQUIRED.