2001 Ford Taurus Heat comes and goes

Tiny
MMUNDAHL22
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 69,000 MILES
Heater blows hot for 15mins. Then cold air. Changed thermostat 6mths ago. No leaks of any coolant any where. And takes a while to warm up on chilly mornings. Any advice ty in advance
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 AT 6:47 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check coolant if low add as needed
most common is that the heater core need to be flushed
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Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
MMUNDAHL22
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  • 2 POSTS
Ty for the info. I thought it was that but wasnt 100% sure. Well post back when I do that
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Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check coolant level
Is the car reaching operating temp
Check heater core hoses if both are hot,

if not one hose hot and the other warm or cold the heater core need to be flushed (very common)
as a 1st step
these are the steps
WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. TO AVOID HAVING SCALDING HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP FROM A HOT COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE. WAIT UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY UNTIL PRESSURE BEGINS TO RELEASE. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN CERTAIN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE PRESSURE CAP (STILL WITH A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP.
Engine cool
lower the coolant level
Locate the two hoses running to the heater core
disconnect them at the engine side leaving hoses connected to heater core throw the firewall
use garden water hose and compressed air if possible
run the water and follow by air throw one side and out the other and vice versa
do that two to three times watching what leaving the heater core you are looking for the good flow and clear water to run throw
reconnect hoses
top off coolant system
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Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
MMUNDAHL22
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Aight got my coolant system flushed and no luck. Heat still comes and goes. I think now I might have a bad heater core. Temp runs to normal but heat still comes on hot then goes cool.I smell a little antifreeze now when heater is on. Does heater core cost alot.I guess it is time to hit the dealer ship or try to do it myself
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Coolant system flush may not help
you need to isolate heater core and flush it
remove heater hoses engine size and make sure you block bypass hose between the two hoses
fill heater core with flush fluid and let it sit as long as you can
then run water through it one way and vise versa

if have access to compressed air would be a good to blow some in to after water
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 8:12 PM

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