heater core problem

[94redranger]

I've got a problem with my heater core, it is not letting any coolant pass through it. When I took the hoses off of it and flushed it with a garden hose the water flowed just fine. Then when I hooked the hoses back up the coolant wouldn't flow through. I could feel the inlet hose get hot but the outlet hose wouldn't get hot. When I connected the inlet and outlet hoses together with a T-fitting the coolant flowed fine. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Donnie strickland]

It's plugged up. Replace it. It's a 30 minute job on a 94 Ranger and you can get a new one for $20 at Autozone, Advance, etc.

 

[94redranger]

How is it plugged though? I can run water with a garden hose through it just fine. Another thing is removing it. I looked in my repair manual and there is two different methods for '94 models and '95 and later. Is it possible I have to do the '95 years method because I cannot even see the heater core under my dash, let alone the four srews I am supposed to remove.

 

[Quiksurf]

when these heater cores plugg, they internall bypass. drain it out all the way and see if it feels a whole lot heavier than a new one.

 

[94redranger]

I did that and it feels lighter than it does with water in it. I can even fill it up with water and blow it out. I think I may have a new problem. When I take off one of the heater hoses and just let the coolant run out in a pail the coolant comes out extremely slow. At idle speeds should the coolant be coming out in a solid stream? When I rev the engine up the coolant comes out a little bit faster. Could the water pump be worn so bad that it is not circulating through the heating system?

 

[Donnie strickland]

I did that and it feels lighter than it does with water in it.

So you removed it from the truck?

 

[engdept]

There is only 1 way to remove the '89-'94 heater cores. They dash is COMPLETELY different than the '95+ dash.

 

[94redranger]

Ya I did eventually get it out after fiddling around under the dash. When water starts to come out of the weep hole in the water pump does that just mean that the pump is leaking or does it mean it isn't circulating good?

 

[Donnie strickland]

It's leaking. It may or may not be pumping well; but it doesn't matter at this point since it needs replacing. I would do the heater core as well; also a good system flush wouldn't be a bad idea -- followed by refilling with antifreeze and distilled water.