'99 cougar-heat not blowing very hot air

[leanna]

i just got the coolant system flushed & oil pan gasket changed & when i got the car back it was leaking antifreeze a little-i took it back to the place & the people said that a hose had a small hole in it-so spent another $200 to get that fixed- but the heater still isnt blowing very warm air & the temp gage sits a little on the cool side-it doesnt overheat- anyone know what this might be?- also is it possible that this place messed the car up?? it never leaked or ran cold before this- thanks

[KimMG]

Did they flush the heater core separate from the rest of the cooling system? Is the coolant level full? Feel the heater hoses after the car warms up and see if they are both about the same temperature.

[pileaunickle]

I had the same problem with my cougar. I flushed the coolant and the heater doesnt blow hot air anymore. After beating my head for weeks trying to figure this out and asking several different mechanics I found the solution. On the back of thermostat housing is a hose with a splice in it. You need to remove 1 clamp, pull the hoses apart and open the overflow tank. When you first seperate the hoses you should hear air escaping. Once coolant is flowing from each hose put them back together and your heat problem should be fixed.