2001 Ford Taurus heater problems

cshaffer73 · Posted at Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:57 pm

Heater problem
2001 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 115000 miles

After the car runs a good while the heat is barely warm at all. The blower motor seems to put out air ok. Ive checked the antifreeze and its always full and i replaced the thermostat already. (last winter) I figure its the heater core but dont know where its located and have never changed one. Its got over 100,000 mi but ive heard a heater core can just need flushed out and that their not always bad is this true and how much should one to expect to be charged by a mechanic for a heater core chang out? And about how much does a heater core cost is i decide to do it myself and is it hard to do for a greenhorn like me?

BMRFIXIT · Posted at Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:07 pm

Heater core is located inside the car in the HVAC box behind the instrument panel
if you open the hood and check by the firewall you will notice two heater hoses going into the firewall and connect to the heater core
this is a common problem that I’ve seen and is the heater core need to be flushed
for start
Check coolant level
Is the car reaching operating temp
Check heater core hoses if both are hot ,
if both hoses hot and not enough heat inside suspect blend door actuator
if not one hose hot and the other warm or cold the heater core need to be flushed (very common)
as a 1st step
these are the steps
WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. TO AVOID HAVING SCALDING HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP FROM A HOT COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE. WAIT UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY UNTIL PRESSURE BEGINS TO RELEASE. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN CERTAIN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE PRESSURE CAP (STILL WITH A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP.
Engine cool
lower the coolant level
Locate the two hoses running to the heater core
disconnect them at the engine side leaving hoses connected to heater core throw the firewall
make sure you pinch and close the bypass hose between the two heater hoses
use garden water hose and compressed air if possible
run the water and follow by air throw one side and out the other and vice versa
do that two to three times watching what leaving the heater core you are looking for the good flow and clear water to run throw
reconnect hoses
top off coolant system
good luck
let me know