Sam isn't hot for me anymore...

slycer2002 · Nov 2, 2015

My 92 Ranger, Sam, doesn't get hot for me anymore. I know her juices still flow, but she's just at that age where things aren't like they used to be.

With all that being said, here are the issues. Well, I should say "issue". I didn't have any heat in her at all. I swapped the thermostat because I already had one, and I have some heat now, but it is intermittent. It will get warm while the truck sits and idles, but as soon as I start driving the heat cools off. Does this sound like a heater core issue? Ford heat is notorious for melting you out of the truck pretty quick, but Sam takes forever to put out even the little heat that she does. I'm leaning toward the heater core, but it's not leaking, the windshield isn't fogging up, and I don't smell antifreeze. Of course, those symptoms all point toward a leaking heater core and not one that's just gunked up inside. I would appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Genisis · Nov 22, 2015

Slycer, I have to say that my "Betsy" (94 3.0) was almost the same. Unless I get her out on the highway and run at speed for a while. I changed t-stat and flushed the radiator and bought a new cap as well, but, didnt change anything until recently. I am now getting the temp readings closer to the "N" on NORMAL and seeing the t-stat open and close. Even got to the "R" a few times before the t-stat opened. Freaked me out a little but thats what it should be doing, so Im hoping it will remain this way.

Are you sure your cap is holding 16lbs of pressure?

enjr44 · Nov 23, 2015

IIRC, coolant flows through the heater core all the time. Temp is regulated by the mixer door under the dash. If it is stuck open to the cold side you will never get heat. Common fail. If it fails to the hot side (they never seem to do that) you have too much of a good thing.

So, both heater hoses should be hot if coolant is flowing. About the same temp as the upper rad hose.

slycer2002 · May 13, 2016

Okay, seven months later, I figure I should post an update. I bought a new heater core for Sam, opened her up, and I didn't like the looks of my antifreeze. It looked like chocolate milk. So, I figured it was time to do some work. I flushed her out really well, and then replaced the heater core, heater hoses (one was still factory), upper and lower radiator hoses (lower was still factory), AND the radiator. Of course, Sam just HAD to have the super cool option, so I had the transmission cooler lines going into and coming out of my radiator. The upper line was easy to disconnect. The bottom one was a witch with a capital B. The damn nut started to round off. So, I did what any smart, self-respecting shade tree mechanic would do. I cursed a blue streak up and down at the person who designed this lovely thing, had a beer (or three) and then disconnected the cooler line at the bottom where it switches over to a rubber hose before the actual transmission cooler. Then I very carefully pulled the radiator out. Once it was out, I was able to get a better look at the line and get it off. Everything was pretty easy from that point on. Except for ordering a two row radiator instead of a single row. Yay me! I got the right radiator, put it in, and she's got heat again (now that we're in spring and soon to be summer in a month). She's running a little better as well. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Sam isn't hot for me anymore...

slycer2002

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Genisis

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enjr44

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slycer2002

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