Heater takes a long time to kick in. Help please!

[johnosbourn]

Okay,
So this is my first time posting, and as of right now there is only one problem with my car. First lets start off with the mileage. It has 69,000 miles. It is a Ford Taurus LX.

Problem:
My heater takes about 15 minutes of driving to kick in. This is a fairly recent problem, and I'm not sure what could be causing it. So if there is anyone that can help me, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
John

[KimMG]

Is it blowing cold air for fifteen minutes or something else?

[Huney1]

Heater core partially clogged, thermostat defective (stuck open) or water pump blades badly worn. How long does it take for you to see the temp gage come up to operating temp? If it also takes 15 minutes to see the temp gage move then replace the thermostat. In any event, first thing I would do is new thermostat and go from there.

When it's 30F my 03 Vulcan starts putting out heat in five minutes and in 10 minutes it's hot.

[wrightz28]

on the thermostat.

Oddly tho, my wife's '92 GL's predacessor of the GM variety, 3.8L as well, had slow heat output in cold conditions, like today, -4* and just at the tail end of the 13 mile trek, my feet finally started to thaw out. Both cars had the stats replaced instantly with little improvement.

Hmm, wonder why my wife claims that the Taurus has a random no-start issue so now I drive it while she drives my little heater on wheels Toyota that even in this weather I have my window rolled down in a few minutes of running

[wrightz28]

I was speaking sarcastically about the "random no-start" because so far, the only time it wouldn't start was when the interior lights were left on and drained the battery. Ever since recharging, it's been fine. Hence, I think the lights were intentionally left on to create the "issue". Only because that little incodent pccured 2 days before the tradional cold snap we are in now gets going. So now she drives my nice, warm and toasty little bugger while I freeze in her car, "just incase it won't start again"

Now i know some of our Canadian friends will say that our current forecast is beach going weather , but, we're looking at highs, barely edging over 0 this weekend, that's enough real cold for me

[medicmandan]

I would start by replacing the thermostat and flushing the heater core. Both relatively simple to do. How long does it take for the temp gauge to reach normal? When it does, check both hoses coming into and out of the heater core to see if they are hot.

What year Taurus? There is a TSB out on some issues with the heating system for a few years.

[johnosbourn]

Sorry it took so long to reply! Okay, so my temp gauge doesn't work. Its permanently stuck at C (cold). And to answer someones question, it only blows out cold air for that time. Also, there is something I forgot to mention. After running the car for just a little bit, not even long enough to make the engine get really hot; the radiator gets VERY hot. Could this be part of the problem as well?

[medicmandan]

Originally Posted by johnosbourn

Sorry it took so long to reply! Okay, so my temp gauge doesn't work. Its permanently stuck at C (cold). And to answer someones question, it only blows out cold air for that time. Also, there is something I forgot to mention. After running the car for just a little bit, not even long enough to make the engine get really hot; the radiator gets VERY hot. Could this be part of the problem as well?

Change the thermostat. And when you're done with that flush the heater core.

[johnosbourn]

Okay I'll do that! Thanks!