No heat

Tiny
RICH120865
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
Last spring I had to replace heads(they were cracked) temp gauge would swing from normal to cold after that. Mechanic said all was ok as long as it didn't run hot. My heat also didn't work well (sometimes it would blow lightly warm air) he said its gonna be hot soon but if I really wanted heat he'd fix it and to come back when it got cold so I could save money. I can smell the coolant and sometimes visible water vapor will come from defrost vents when defrost or heat isn't on. Little loss of coolant so far but I have had to add to it a little. Any ideas as to severity and/or cost will be appreciated.
Monday, January 28th, 2008 AT 4:16 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
The smell and vapor on the windshield and the loose of coolant is an indication of a heater core failure I would have the heater core checked also check the coolant lines under hood by the firewall they rust and leak coolant,

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working
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Monday, January 28th, 2008 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
DMC0420
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,000 MILES
My heater isn't working in my car. It blows cold air and the pressure of it is fine, but no heat comes out. I change the thermostate and it would heat up just a little, but still blows cold air. I don't know what it could be. The tempeture gadge only goes about a 3rd of the way and when I turn the heater on it will drop almost all the way to cold then returns. What should I do?
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
When you say temp drop all the way down and goes back up that s make me think of the thermostat
but u said it was replaced
check coolant level
run and warm engine open hood and

Check heater core hoses if both are hot, if not the heater core need to be flushed 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
good luck
let me know
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AMYH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
1997 Mercury Sable

my car dont have any heat or air what could be the problem?
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Do you mean you have air coming out of the dash but it doesn't get hot eventhough your heat is on, or you don't have air coming out at all?
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check fuses
Suspect blower motor
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STLREGGIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
Heater problem
1997 Mercury Sable 6 cyl 150000 miles

I have a new thermostat and radiator, but my heater is only pushing out cool air. What else could be my problem?
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BWEATHERFORD1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Last winter my heat would not work at all, I had it checked out and was told that I needed to have my radiator flushed, upon doing that I ended up having to have the radiator & overflow container replaced, still no heat. We then thought the heater core was clogged and had it blown out after which they said we needed a new thermostat, after $512, we still have very little heat. When the engine has warmed up and you turn the heat on it blows out very warm air for about 15-20 seconds then it begins to cool and will not be warm again until you cut the heat off, wait a few minutes and then turn it back on again. Do you have any idea what could possibly be wrong, given the fact that it does blow very warm air to begin with makes me think that something is still working.
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAUGHRIDGEASEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 90,000 MILES
My heater is not working its blowing cold air we just replaced the thermastate. What could be the problem?
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Low coolant level, clogged heater core, bad water pump, common issue, or blown head gasket from overheating

Roy
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARYSHEPARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Had same problem on my 97 mercury sable was fuse. Changed the fuse it works great now
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM (Merged)

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