Need Help Bad Heat Cant Figure Out Problem

[broughton88]

ok i got a 88 ranger with a 2.9 and the heat is terriable the heat gauge works fine doesnt over heat i think it goes up to 210 than thermostat kicks in and then it runs at 195... the raidator hold good pressure and does not leak the heater hoses seem to be fine one hot the other not as hot. iv tryed switching them then the heat worked for like a day than didnt work again.. i drove it pretty good yesterday and i was driving it and i shut off the heat for a couple mins and turned it back on and some heat kicked out of the vents then it quit i dont get it... the only thing i can see thats wrong with my heating system is that the blower motor only works on high but thats the least of my problem right now... oh and i also to my fan off...... can anyone help me !!thanks

 

[Fast Fords]

maybe a vacuum leak at the actuator behind the dash?? just a guess..

 

[master hec0]

how old is the heater core? you might want to try and clean it out if its not leaking.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Davidsfarm#p/u/0/mMp82zLVxoU

 

[94twodoor]

What about making sure the coolant is at the proper level? Here is a rule of thumb, K.I.S.S. stands fo keep it simple stupid. Check connections/levels/and hoses first. Always do the free things 1st

 

[Fast Fords]

What about making sure the coolant is at the proper level? Here is a rule of thumb, K.I.S.S. stands fo keep it simple stupid. Check connections/levels/and hoses first. Always do the free things 1st

that kiss thing is clever haha i'll have to remember that to tell my buddy..dude's always wasting his money

 

[master hec0]

air in the system could also be an issue

 

[srteach]

Check coolant level (proper amount of coolant is needed in the overflow bottle), check hoses, check that the inline AC valve opens properly (if you have AC - a vacuum operated valve that is inline with the cab heater hoses), Compare temp of the two radiator hoses (should be large noticeable difference in temp), Check cab heater hose connections (one from thermostat to heater box, other one from heater box to the bottom of the water pump, both going through inline AC valve if you have one)
Come back here with info so we can help more accurately.

 

[broughton88]

all the hoses are good and there isnt any air in the system the coolent tests good for -10 so thats fine... the only thing i can think of is the heater core but i want to no for sure before i change it i dont think its ever been changed before.

 

[broughton88]

also my truck doesnt have a/c and iv tryed blowing out the heater core and the heat would work for like a day then quit... would my truck over heat if the heater core was shot?

 

[TheBeast]

Not always the case. It's possible it's just that bad. I'd do a coolant flush, then put a new heater core in it. That way, if the core is bad, then you won't be running crap in your coolant system through your new core. Also, there is sometimes a limiter valve installed in the heater hoses running to the core. It keeps to much pressure from going into the heater core and blowing it out. They can, and will go bad in some cases. Make sure you blend door is working correctly, thats a major part of it.

 

[modelageek]

On your truck the core cost $25 snd takes 30 minutes to change. If you elimanated the blenddoor it is prob the core

 

[broughton88]

it was the heater core i never thought they were so cheap.. took like 15mins and heat works like a charm... thanks for the help guys!

 

[Fast Fords]

it was the heater core i never thought they were so cheap.. took like 15mins and heat works like a charm... thanks for the help guys!

count your horseshoes you don't have a 95+!!