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1993 Ford Aerostar Heater Troubles

Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 FORD AEROSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,800 MILES
It started with needing a radiator thermas stat then head gaskets water pump new hoses then heater core, when I was done I have some heat at idle but not great, and if I drive the van it blows cold air. I can hear the ac turn on when I put it on defrost, I have unpluged the ac, looked at all the vents and they all look like they are working they are three that I can see, one for themp one for vent and one for mixing. I thought that I may have switched the heater hoses so I switch them water pump to the bottom and manifoled to the top it was a little better but still cold on the drive. I don't know what else to look at your help would be great. Thank you
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 AT 8:24 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Its sounds like you don’t have enough coolant running throw the heater core
my suggestion is to isolate and flush heater core
good luck
let me know
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 AT 9:54 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I took off the heater hoses and flushed the new heater core found a 3/8in flat piece of brass thought that this had to be the problem, but when I drove the van the heat got cold after a short drive of about three miles. Talked to the service at ford he said that there could be a crack in the head, but when I did the head gaskets I looked at them pertty good with a mag glass and didn't see any what say you. I look forward to your Reply

Its sounds like you don’t have enough coolant running throw the heater core
my suggestion is to isolate and flush heater core
good luck
let me know[/quote:1d55d5a904]
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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I will not say its not a head gasket but I can say that not enough coolant going throw the heater core
if the system full and no leak no over heat thermostat heating the engine to about 190 *F
I would but the head gasket theory at a distance for know
what I would do is check that heater core again and flush it
use water and compressed air
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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I will try a total flush 1/11/08 to see if it helps. I also thought that I would try some block sealer if the flush does'nt help.
Thank you for all your input I will let you know.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
I will try a total flush 1/11/08 to see if it helps. I also thought that I would try some block sealer if the flush does'nt help.
Thank you for all your input I will let you know.[/Quote:bc0a29b663]

I will advise you against that not a good idea
is the truck over heating or loosing coolant?
You can do a head gasket test
they sell a kit for that
good luck
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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I will try a total flush 1/11/08 to see if it helps. I also thought that I would try some block sealer if the flush does'nt help.
Thank you for all your input I will let you know.[/Quote:d5d3b44fcc]

I will advise you against that not a good idea
is the truck over heating or loosing coolant?
You can do a head gasket test
they sell a kit for that
good luck[/quote:d5d3b44fcc] Well I flushed it out, took off the heater hoses put the water hose right in each hose both ways and air pressure, used block flush on the system, filled it and had great heat. Drove the van 5 miles, got back heater blowing cool again. So I put in the block sealer and know it has to set over night. I will flush and fill the system in the morning and see what happens, if it doesn't fix it, I will pull the heater core out and look at it. If Does I will pull the heads because one must have a crack and fix it right. I will let you know what happens either way. Thank you very much for all you help.
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I will try a total flush 1/11/08 to see if it helps. I also thought that I would try some block sealer if the flush does'nt help.
Thank you for all your input I will let you know.[/Quote:11b68d4c37] 1/11 08 at 6.13pm It didn't work it has to be the heads or block. I took out the heater again it was all good all vents working. All the block sealer did was plug the thermas stat, and make work for me. I will have the head look at and let you know what they find. Thank you for all you help on this problem. There are still people in this world willing to help when they can. I will be in touch

I will advise you against that not a good idea
is the truck over heating or loosing coolant?
You can do a head gasket test
they sell a kit for that
good luck[/quote:11b68d4c37] Well I flushed it out, took off the heater hoses put the water hose right in each hose both ways and air pressure, used block flush on the system, filled it and had great heat. Drove the van 5 miles, got back heater blowing cool again. So I put in the block sealer and know it has to set over night. I will flush and fill the system in the morning and see what happens, if it doesn't fix it, I will pull the heater core out and look at it. If Does I will pull the heads because one must have a crack and fix it right. I will let you know what happens either way. Thank you very much for all you help.[/Quote:11b68d4c37]
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Saturday, January 12th, 2008 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Let me ask you this
is it loosing coolant
or is the engine overheating
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Saturday, January 12th, 2008 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes there is coolant loss and air in the system that is the reason I am pulling the heads. I must have missed something when I replaced the head gasket, a crack or something. I am takeing the heads to the machine shop on 1/13/08 to have them look at and tested for cracks. I will let you know what they find out. Thank you again for you help and interest in my problem. I will let you know.?
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Sunday, January 13th, 2008 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Yes there is coolant loss and air in the system that is the reason I am pulling the heads. I must have missed something when I replaced the head gasket, a crack or something. I am takeing the heads to the machine shop on 1/13/08 to have them look at and tested for cracks. I will let you know what they find out. Thank you again for you help and interest in my problem. I will let you know.?[/Quote:a1a3090172]

Now I know why you were insisting on the sealer
let me how it work out for you at the machine shop !
Good luck
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Sunday, January 13th, 2008 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes there is coolant loss and air in the system that is the reason I am pulling the heads. I must have missed something when I replaced the head gasket, a crack or something. I am takeing the heads to the machine shop on 1/13/08 to have them look at and tested for cracks. I will let you know what they find out. Thank you again for you help and interest in my problem. I will let you know.?[/Quote:692a5586cc]

Now I know why you were insisting on the sealer
let me how it work out for you at the machine shop !
Good luck[/quote:692a5586cc]Hello again, I got a call from the machinie shop, the head is cracked into the water jacket. I have a replacement on order, and will recive it on 1-18-08. After installing it on the van I will let you know how it works out. I also had the other head shaved and put the new seals on it. I should have it together buy 1-19-08. Thank you again
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Thursday, January 17th, 2008 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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That’s explains it all
see im not a big fan of the block sealer
at the end it will cause more harm than good
you did the right thing
good luck
let me know
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Thursday, January 17th, 2008 AT 1:13 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Well I got the van together and had poor heat again. I called a friend and he came over with a pressure tester for the block and there still a leak. We also found that the heater core was blocked with rust from the block again, after back flushing it I have heat, even after I drive it. The leak is coming from below the altenator at the head, we could here air coming out using a hose. I think the head gasket is leaking at the water hole in the block to head, I am hopeing it will seal what do you think I should do about this it is a new one on me. I look forward to your answer. Thank you again
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 AT 11:22 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Well I got the van together and had poor heat again. I called a friend and he came over with a pressure tester for the block and there still a leak. We also found that the heater core was blocked with rust from the block again, after back flushing it I have heat, even after I drive it. The leak is coming from below the altenator at the head, we could here air coming out using a hose. I think the head gasket is leaking at the water hole in the block to head, I am hopeing it will seal what do you think I should do about this it is a new one on me. I look forward to your answer. Thank you again[/quote:fea447cba4]
its a lot of work for it to be leaking
what happen?
Check the corner intake and head (intake gasket)
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Thursday, January 24th, 2008 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
ELLERY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Well I got the van together and had poor heat again. I called a friend and he came over with a pressure tester for the block and there still a leak. We also found that the heater core was blocked with rust from the block again, after back flushing it I have heat, even after I drive it. The leak is coming from below the altenator at the head, we could here air coming out using a hose. I think the head gasket is leaking at the water hole in the block to head, I am hopeing it will seal what do you think I should do about this it is a new one on me. I look forward to your answer. Thank you again[/quote:97ee8d98fc]
its a lot of work for it to be leaking
what happen?
Check the corner intake and head (intake gasket)[/quote:97ee8d98fc] Hello again. On friday I took out the altenator and bracket and look for my leak, it looked like it was coming from the timing cover to water pump. I did torque the bolts when I put in the pump, but I gave them a sung anyway and the leak has stoped. The van is running good no more water leaks and good heat, the idle is a little ruff at stop but does'nt kill or stop running, if you just touch the thouttle it is smooths out has good power, my friend that helped me with the pressure test said that the exhaust puffs a little and the coverter could be getting pluged, could this cause the idle problem I have? The van had not run for at least a year. I look forward to your advise.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Well I got the van together and had poor heat again. I called a friend and he came over with a pressure tester for the block and there still a leak. We also found that the heater core was blocked with rust from the block again, after back flushing it I have heat, even after I drive it. The leak is coming from below the altenator at the head, we could here air coming out using a hose. I think the head gasket is leaking at the water hole in the block to head, I am hopeing it will seal what do you think I should do about this it is a new one on me. I look forward to your answer. Thank you again[/quote:b049902bb5]
its a lot of work for it to be leaking
what happen?
Check the corner intake and head (intake gasket)[/quote:b049902bb5] Hello again. On friday I took out the altenator and bracket and look for my leak, it looked like it was coming from the timing cover to water pump. I did torque the bolts when I put in the pump, but I gave them a sung anyway and the leak has stoped. The van is running good no more water leaks and good heat, the idle is a little ruff at stop but does'nt kill or stop running, if you just touch the thouttle it is smooths out has good power, my friend that helped me with the pressure test said that the exhaust puffs a little and the coverter could be getting pluged, could this cause the idle problem I have? The van had not run for at least a year. I look forward to your advise.[/Quote:b049902bb5]

run it for a week or so
on next fuel fillup use a better gas
or try some fuel additives
good to be on the road again !
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 1:28 PM

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