1998 Ford Windstar No Heat

MOECAMP

MEMBER
1998 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

I've been having a problem with my heat. It was blowing warm\cold recently and our mechanic replaced the thermostat. Seemed to fix the problem. Had heat for about a month or so. The last few weeks it has been blowing warm\cold again. We recently went to a relatives house about 45 minutes away. On the way home the heat was blowing cool again but this time the engine temperature was up at hot. We slowed down a bit and fiddled with the heater buttons ect. And eventually the temperature came right back down again only to go back up to hot. Someone suggested we check the coolant level. It was full but had a bit of a rusty or dark look to it. We put in a phone call to our mechanic who (without being able to actually check the car) said it sounds like a blown head gasket. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. If it is a head gasket is that expensive? Is it worth it on a car as old as mine?
Thank you for your help.
Maureen

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

That 98 is not old. Okay get your mechanic to perform the block and pressure test. Blown headgasket is considered major repair and could be expensive. Make sure you're right there with him to prove that its the gasket.

I got in this industry because I am tired being ripped off.

Anyway try bleeding the cooling system-see below

Always bleed air from cooling system after replacing coolant. Set heater for maximum heat. Remove radiator cap. Loosen drain plug and remove drain bolt (if equipped) from engine block. Drain coolant reservoir. Fill coolant reservoir to MAX mark with 50/50 water-coolant mixture. Loosen bleed bolt and fill radiator up to base of filler neck. Close bleed bolt when coolant flows out without bubbles. Tighten bleed bolt. With radiator cap removed, start and operate engine to normal operating temperature. Add coolant if necessary and check for leaks.