1986 Lincoln Continental heater won't get hot

190,000 MILES • 5.0L • V8 • RWD • AUTOMATIC
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CLW2001
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  • 1 POST
the heater blows out cold air no matter what I set it on. I added antifreeze and nothing changed. What could be the problem?
Jan 9, 2015 at 4:02 PM
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WRENCHTECH
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 20,760 POSTS
With the engine at full operating temp, locate the 2 heater hoses where they go into the firewall and feel them to see if they are both hot to the touch. If they are both hot, the heat in that vehicle is controlled by a blend door that regulates heated air flow. it is operated by an electric motor/actuator. The problem can be that the actuator is stripped or inoperative or the door itself could be damaged. This is what needs to be determined by examining the actuator and see if it is responding to heat change commands or not
Jan 9, 2015 at 9:51 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,000 POSTS
IF THEM HOSES AIN'T HOT TO THE TOUCH

COOLANT MAY NOT BE CIRCULATING THRU THE OLE HEATER CORE

MR. HEATER CORE COULD BE STOPPED UP

IF THIS IS THE CASE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO TAKE THE HOSES LOOSE AND SORTA BLAST SOME GARDEN HOSE WATER THRU THEM.

THAT IS, THRU ONE AND THEN THE OTHER, THIS "BACKWARDS FLOW" WILL SOMETIMES BREAK UP ANY TRASH OR GOO THAT MAY HAVE BUILT UP IN THE CORE, THEN FORCES IT OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE

JUST REMEMBER, LIKE THE 1ST RESPONSE SAID, "IF THE HOSES ARE HOT", MOST LIKELY THE HEATER CORE IS JUST FINE, THE PROBLEM MOST LIKELY IS IN THE ACTUATION OF THE DOORS/ DUCTING INSIDE THE HEATER ITSELF

THE MEDIC
Jan 9, 2015 at 11:41 PM
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