1998 Ford Windstar Heat lasts about 10 seconds

WOOGIEBOOGIE

MEMBER
1998 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
77,000 MILES

Just got a hand me down from the inlaws.
Let the van warm up, Temp Ga. Gets up to "NORMAL" in the usual speed, turn the heat to max, and it lasts about 10 to 15 seconds, then starts getting luke warm, then finally blows cold air. Full coolant, no overheating, no blown fuses, no coolant smell, no fumes, no leaks under the van, and no clue on what the hell is going on. :)

P.S. I would of donated more if I had more money, but then if I did, I wouldn't be driving a 98' Baby Blue Windstar at age 26 lol

EDITs:
-Driving doesn't increase the heat, even when flooring it while accelerating.
- Did a search and found DAVE H's heating troubleshooting guide, testing to see if rear heat works still. <---TESTED, NO HEAT IN REAR EITHER
-Update: OK I think I may have an idea of what's causing the issue, I popped open the radiator cap, and it looked like it had a 4 inch long BOOGER on the bottom of it, and looking into the inlet, all you can see is white, wet, booger looking things all over the inside of the tube. I'm guessing this isn't good and probably is clogging up my heater hoses. I'm gunna yell at my in-laws and ask why it looks like they used fish eggs as anti-freeze.

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Well, let's not make the in-laws the "out-laws" yet. At least it is a hand me down and they weren't trying to run you over to give it to you.

I think you are right on track about things being clogged up. Are the heater hoses going into and coming out of the firewall hot at all at operating temp? If not the core is plugged and hopefully it can be flushed. Worse case.....A dreaded heater core change.

Obviously the thermostat etc is working. I am guessing the heater core is plugged by the look of your radiator. Which the radiator needs a good flushing too. You don't want things to get worse, the thing overheat and now your prize gift blows a head gasket.

You know you can flush the system yourself or you can have it done for about $100 bills. The main thing is you want the block, radiator and heater core flushed really good.

Then go back with the green Prestone antifreeze.