2002 Mercury Sable Weak Heat

2002 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
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PDARR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
My Sable is not putting out much heat. I back flushed the heater core with a garden hose but still have very little heat. Could a door in the plentum be not opening completely, and how many hours approximately to remove and replace heater core.
Dec 6, 2006 at 3:06 AM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
Tell you what I did for heat this year, I have a 99 sable and flushed it 4 times, this helped for a week or so, I got a brake hose clamp and clamped the bypass hose that runs behind the engine, Now the heat drives me out! At idle or in motion.
Mar 6, 2007 at 7:33 AM
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PDARR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well after I removed the heater core I found the culprit. The 5 year antifreeze that was in the car is not a good idea. When your fluid level goes down you add some water to the system. Correct? The 5 year antifreeze makes sludge as it evaporates away and clogs up your heater core. You can't even get the stuff out of the core. I had to replace the heater core. Stay away from 5 years antifreeze.
Mar 6, 2007 at 10:40 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the heater core if it is packed with sludge that will not flush out. Long-life (5-year) coolant topped off with water can form sludge and block the core. Refill with the correct coolant and do not mix long-life antifreeze with plain water. Clamping the heater bypass hose may temporarily increase heat on a similar Sable, but it will not clear a sludge-blocked core.

Conversation Summary

A 2002 Mercury Sable owner had very little heat after back-flushing the heater core and asked about a blend door and replacement time. One reply said clamping the bypass hose improved heat on a similar Sable after flushing only helped briefly. The owner later found the core clogged with sludge from long-life antifreeze topped off with water and replaced the heater core.

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