mobil_12

I need some help.

I have a 1993 Ford Escort with 1.9L engine. At idle it heats up just fine to operating temps. The fans come on at the right time and everything.
Once it is warmed up, I will take it out on the road and the temp will drop way down and I will loose heat from the dash.

I tried replacing the thermostat. That didnt do any thing. I thought maybe the fans were coming on too early, so I drove with them disconnected. That didnt do much either. I also had it power flushed. Then I thought about too much flow over the radiator and put some card board over the front of it and that seemed to help some but not enough.

I am completely baffled by this. Any ideas would be sure to help. Thanks.

frafreg

I wonder if you have a blocked heater core or a malfunctioning heater valve. In other words, maybe you aren't getting enough hot water into the heater core because the heat control valve either isn't opening properly or the heater core is blocked. See if you can place your hand on, or near the heater core under the dashboard to see how how it gets. Check to see if the valve is opening. Hope this helps.
Frank

chevyn0va1

Also if recall correctly the heater hoses that go into the firewall (to the heater core) they should both be evenly warm. If one is hot and one isnt then the heater core is blocked.

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AzTumbleweed

Low coolant does this too. Make sure the radiator is full. Not just the reservoir.

mobil_12

The coolant is full, and I have good flow through the heater core. (Approx. a 15 degree difference in heater hoses.)

Thanks for the ideas!

AzTumbleweed

I'd try another thermostat. That's about the only thing that can do this. If the thermostat is functioning then it makes no difference if the fan is on because coolant is not circulating through the radiator. It would only be circulating through the heater core. By the way, there is no heater control valve. The coolant is always flowing through the heater core. When you move the lever you are just closing a duct to isolate the heater from the rest of the climate control system. I'd bank on the thermostat.

dangstangs

a couple of other things to check,

make sure the inlet to the heater core is the lower of the two hoses this helps in removing air from the system also your coolant mix is it 50/50?

remember coolant absorbs heat the higher the percent the cooler your motor runs, if you want more heat try 60/40 (60%water 40%coolant).

be warned too much coolant and you engine temp runs too cool increasing your chances of sludge buildup, and too low, oil breakdown can occur.
check your manual for right mix depending on you area.

AzTumbleweed

Pure antifreeze will freeze at +9 degrees F. As water is added that number actually drops. 60% AF with 40% water has a freezing point of minus 48 degrees F. Ideally I guess you could run pure A/F in the summer. It has a boiling point of 388 degrees F. Also, go to Wal-Mart and buy distilled water. Your radiator will last a lot longer. I replaced my radiator a few years ago because it was clogged. I opened it up and it sure looked like the chemicals found in tap water. Distilled water is good insurance. Use it in your battery too.

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