My heater going out?

[kitabutt03]

Hi all,

I have an 1998 windstar that all of the sudden has heating issues. When I am out and about driving around, the heat works fine. However, when I come to a stop light, all heat is off and cold air gets blown in. I had to change my route to work to include the highway so that I would not have to make so many stops. Any suggestions about what could be wrong and how i can fis it?

Thanks
Dave

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by kitabutt03

Hi all,

I have an 1998 windstar that all of the sudden has heating issues. When I am out and about driving around, the heat works fine. However, when I come to a stop light, all heat is off and cold air gets blown in. I had to change my route to work to include the highway so that I would not have to make so many stops. Any suggestions about what could be wrong and how i can fis it?

Thanks
Dave

Dave

Is your coolant full?

Dan

[12Ounce]

There might be a relationship to the higher vacuum that would be present while idling.

[phil-l]

Or perhaps a thermostat problem?

[wiswind]

First thing....check coolant level IN THE RADIATOR (with the engine cool).
I have seen lots of coolant in the overflow bottle.....and the radiator low. It just takes 1 little piece of something to break the seal of the gasket of the cap to radiator neck seal....at which point....the overflow bottle is out of the circuit as far as refilling the radiator.
So....check and clean the cap gasket...and the inside of the neck of the radiator...where the gasket seats.......to make sure that the cap can seal correctly.

When the engine is HOT....you should be able to squeeze the upper radiator hose (carefully, with gloves on) and feel that there is pressure in the system. If there is not.....suspect the cap is not sealing correctly and holding pressure. If cleaning will not help....you may need a new radiator cap....in the correct pressure rating for your car.

When adding coolant....make SURE that you add the same stuff as what you have in there. There are a number of different coolants out there.....and they MUST not be mixed with one another.
Prestone makes a "mixes with all types" if you do not know what you have in there. Most types of coolants come in a 50/50 "ready mixed" form....which is what I recommend that you get when adding to the system (aka "topping off"). Takes the guesswork out of adding concentrated coolant and water......and hoping the freeze point is correct.

If you end up doing a complete flush, I would stay away from "Dexcool" type coolants....as they are not recommended for the windstar.

You would be best to buy the concentrated form of the coolant when doing the complete flush....as you are never able to get all the water out of the system....and you won't know how much water is still in there.....

When flushing....you want to flush out all the coolant...until you get clear water.......which involves flushing the engine block and heater core(s). This is normally done by flushing the radiator....and as much of the block as you can......and running the engine for a while.....let cool.....drain and flush......doing these steps several times.....the last few times using distilled water. Then.....Drain as much of the water as you can......close the drain "petcock" on the radiator....etc. Then add the concentrated coolant in the amount needed for your complete cooling system....taking into consideration the rear heat unit, if you have one. In other words.....If you have a 12 quart capacity cooling system....you will add 6 quarts (or a slight amount more) to the radiator.
If you have room enough.....finish filling with distilled water. Run the engine....and the concentrated coolant will mix with the water that is in there. Fill the coolant tank to the proper level with 1/2 coolant....and 1/2 water.
I also put 2 bottles of Bar's Stop Leak into the radiator....to keep my several small seapages under control.
When doing a complete flush....it takes some effort to get all the air out of the system.....I spend time squeezing the upper radiator hose....to try to work air out of the system....with the radiator cap on...removing the cap.....checking.....adding more coolant as needed. There is a little "bleeder" hole that is located at the top of the thermostat (internal) that I am working water into....and trying to pull air out of.....
This is the highest point in the engine.....

If the coolant level is correct.....and you still have little heat......check and see if the temperature gage is showing that the engine is getting warm.

[jtman04401]

I just started having the same issue with our 95. I dont use it much as it is the 3rd vehicle now, however when It is needed it sucks to have this going on. There is also a 98 taurus that my mother has that is doing the same thing.. I have not bothered to look into it as of yet... but I guess maybe it is time to figure out what is up with them. Any other ideas beyond what is already posted here?