Still no warm or hot water from upper or lower radiator hoses

Tiny
OKC
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD F-150
  • 4.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 197,000 MILES
New water pump and new thermostat. It is not getting water to or from core after running ten minutes. Still no warm or hot water from upper or lower radiator hoses. It is as if it were air locked. Oh, and the in and out hoses to core are also new. Cannot find a an actuator or valve. I am stumped.
Thursday, January 4th, 2018 AT 9:54 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hello,

The first thing that comes to mind is a plugged heater core can you remove the heater hoses and use a garden hose to blow through it please?

This guide can help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
OKC
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I guess I should have also stated that I had ran a water hose from both sides of heater core, it is clear. I have asked everyone, everywhere, it seems after you type and enter and at the last they want you to pay. I was tired and just neglected to state that. Sorry. I am at my wits end. I cannot find where Ford says it even has an actuator or valve. Ah.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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No problem we do not make anyone pay we are a free service. Is the engine hot? If so I would remove the heater hoses and put them in a bucket. Then have a helper start the engine while you watch to see if coolant gets forced out of one of the hoses. If so then put the system back together and jack the rear of the van as high as you can and then run the engine. This tilt can force the airlock in the heater core to move out and allow coolant to fill the core. I have seen them raise the front to do the same thing.

Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Let me know, Ken
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
OKC
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Okay Ken thank you. I have managed to get hot water through the core, it has been in the teens here. Did not wait long enough before checking last time. So it was probably hot I just could not tell., I think the last problem I have is the blend door motor or bottom hinge broken. I am about to start cutting into the box tomorrow. Wish me luck, and thank you for this free service.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
OKC
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Hi ken, I finally got the backside screw out of the floor plenum diverter, WHAT A BEAR, without a swivel, turn handle ratchet it was a hard few minutes, yikes. Ill be purchasing one, forthwith!, So I then dropped the blend door actuator and promptly checked it via my temp control knob and it is working fine, I manually turned the door as well. No play, no problems. Before I put it back together, im searching deeper for the problem. Ill try to keep you posted, thank you for your support and feedback. I do know the downpipe feeding air to diverter works as well. Its just not hot. Uuuuggghhh.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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When you work the temperature blend door manually with the heater on do you get heat out? Yes a swivel socket set are life savers for sure.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
OKC
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No sir, I do not, so I went to the core again, and again im getting a strong stream both sides with a water hose. So I checked the pump by leaving hoses off, cranked up truck then promptly turned off, excellent flow to, "that is to" the core, so next, I will check flow "out" of core and then a process of elimination from there is all I know to do now. When you think you know, when youve seen the symptoms before and conclude without going through the process, then BAM! It shows you the error of your ways.I wont give up.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Bam! That's what I say. Im digging your anthuzuazum. Can you hear the temperature door moving? Also I know you said you installed a new thermostat but is the engine coming up to temp?
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
OKC
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I can hear the blend door close and move. Today I had time to put the module, the floor diverter and shroud all back in, except that pesky backside screw that was so hard to get out. Yikes. The engine is operating at normal temp parameters, watching it go up via the dash temp gauge. Ive been driving it 22 miles one way to work for 4 days now. No overheat. I just dont get it. Next ill start from the outflow at core, and go from there.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep it should work let me know what you find.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 1:44 PM

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