OK, so radiator/coolant system working. Heat, NOT!

[Dabblingman]

Hey y'all.

Slowly working my way into the 1999 Ranger. Today, had a messy attempt at flushing the radiator. Successfully completed, with extra mess, time and problems.

The truck now runs, heats up (via the temp gauge) but stays at a nice level. BUT. No heat. The vent blows COOL even when warmed up, and set to hot on the knob.

My more knowledgable friend says "heater core". Is that doable for the DIYer? Or should I outsource that to a pro?

Thanks in advance!

 

[RobbieD]

You may have trapped air in the heater core. Are both heater hoses hot to touch, at the core, after the truck has warmed up?

And; I'm not familiar with '99s, but I'll assume that you have a heater bypass valve for the AC system. Check for hot hoses on both sides of it, again with the truck fully warmed up, HVAC controls on "heat".

 

[Dabblingman]

You may have trapped air in the heater core. Are both heater hoses hot to touch, at the core, after the truck has warmed up?

And; I'm not familiar with '99s, but I'll assume that you have a heater bypass valve for the AC system. Check for hot hoses on both sides of it, again with the truck fully warmed up, HVAC controls on "heat".

I will take a look and see what's up down there!

 

[JoshT]

Did it work before you flushed the coolant system? That could point to it being a pre-existing condition, or possibly something that you accidentally caused when you were doing the work.

These trucks typically have a shutoff or bypass valve in the heater hoses. If it isn't working it could prevent the flow of coolant to the heater core. If it gets stuck in the closed position, no heat. IIRC, they are vacuum actuated to the closed position, so vacuum failure (lack of vacuum) would make it stay open. If for some reason it is getting vacuum when it shouldn't, then it'll be closed.

 

[Dabblingman]

Well, the crazy thing is, we went to do another test drive and this time the heater blew hot!

I've got like 12 other things to worry about on this truck, so I am calling this problem solved! Thanks for the help. Onto more problems

 

[901wd#2]

Sounds like an air pockets worked its way out, check the coolant level again.