looking for heat in wifes car

[IHI]

car in question is a 2000 mercury sable with the 3.0 motor..sorry not racing related and again, I'm ford illiterate

We just bought the car early this year and heat worked just fine, had an electric start installed and even letting car sit idleing for 30 minutes puts the engine temp guage where it's always been (in the center of the temp sweep) but only cool to luke warm air comes out of the vents. We went to town to drop off movies tonight before the thanksgiving deal started for us and after a 10 minute actual drive/raod time the air got warm to mild hot...or what I'd expect it to be with selector at full hot setting.


Was thinking thermostat, but temp guage stays the same as it's been since we bought it so cant really see that being the culprit. Nother guy told me a radiator cap could be the problem, and then I think to myself heater core. Anti-freeze is still full, no msiting on the windsheild or anti freeze smell.

Just looking for any ideas as what to look for. thanks.

Josh

[KimMG]

Clogged or restricted heater core. Check to see if both hoses going to the heater core are hot when the motor is up to operating temp.

[IHI]

Originally Posted by KimMG

Clogged or restricted heater core. Check to see if both hoses going to the heater core are hot when the motor is up to operating temp.

Checked heater core, one side hot, one side cold. Took it to the shop and had system flushed, LOTS of garbage came out-looked like a bunch of white dandruff or water heater sediment. Was told at shop this is a VERY common problem with this model car, after doing some other research found biggest problem is that system has by-pass built in heating circuit and it reduces water psi and allows the sediment to build up in the heater core. many have cut and blocked off the bypass for a long term fix. Might look into that next fall when I have car flushed again.