98 Sable heater core issues

[levi]

3.0 Vulcan, just had the head gaskets replaced @ 195K. New thermostat went bad within 2 days - replaced.

Now its obvious not getting circulation through the heater core. Hose-in hot, hose-out cold, little heat inside car.

Had a flush done. Wasted money. Old Wynn's unit that basically did nothing but empty existing AF. New AF was put in through the car's fill cap. No joy.

This mechanic called a friend of his who has "worked for Ford for years" as a mechanic.

Here's what I've learned on my little journey so far:

No one will pull/cut off the heater core hoses (for a back flush of the core) because Ford uses plastic inserts/tips that the hoses attach to. These are positively guaranteed to break-off on older cars like mine, therefore necessitating heater core replacement.

Ford has had a recall on these earlier Taurus/Sable cores, but it has expired some time ago.

The Ford mechanic claimed they will not flush-out anyway, even if the hoses could be safely removed without damaging the core, because of their poor design. Allegedly once clogged, replacement is virtually mandatory.

Labor on these puppies is @ 10 hours. Most of dash has to come out, etc. Not a job I would tackle myself. Lots more money to put into an older car.

Anyone got any miracle saves here?

 

[Chris142]

Pull the hoses off on the engine side.

We have a tool we built to flush heaters. It's just a piece of pipe with an air nozzle soldered to it and it will screw onto a garden hose.

Hose clamp it to the heater hose, turn on the water, hook up the air and blast away.

There is always a chance that you may ruin the heater but this is your only option.

As far as removing the hoses from the heater its self. If it has to be done just remove the clamp then slice the hose. Hoses are cheap.

 

[cparksjr]

Here is heater core flush procedure. I hope it helps.

CAUTION: The heater core must be backflushed separately from the engine cooling system for proper backflush water flow direction through the heater core.

All engine cooling system flushing and back-flushing procedures must include a separate backflushing of the heater or A/C system heater core, after the flushing or back-flushing of the engine cooling system. This will prevent engine cooling system particles from clogging the heater core tubes and reducing (or eliminating) coolant flow through the heater core.

The correct heater core back-flushing procedure is as follows:

Disconnect the heater core outlet heater hose from the return fitting.
Install a female garden hose-end fitting adapter in the end of the outlet heater hose. Secure with a hose clamp.
Connect the female garden hose end of the outlet heater hose to the male end of a water supply garden hose.
Disconnect the heater core inlet heater hose from the intake manifold fitting. Allow to drain into a suitable container.
If a water valve is installed in the heater core inlet heater hose, make sure the water valve is open (no vacuum).
Turn the water supply valve on and off several times so that the surge action will help to dislodge larger stubborn particles from the heater core tubes. Allow full water pressure to flow for approximately five minutes.
If a water valve is installed in the heater core inlet heater hose, apply vacuum to the water valve vacuum motor. This ensures proper operation of the water valve and proper closure with no water leakage. Replace the water valve if required.
Remove the hose clamp and female garden hose-end adapter from the end of the outlet heater hose. Reconnect the outlet heater hose onto the water pump fitting and heater return fitting.
Connect the inlet heater hose onto the engine block fitting and intake manifold fitting.
Fill the engine cooling system.
Test the system for proper heater performance with the specified engine cooling system conditions.

 

[levi]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Pull the hoses off on the engine side.

We have a tool we built to flush heaters. It's just a piece of pipe with an air nozzle soldered to it and it will screw onto a garden hose.

Hose clamp it to the heater hose, turn on the water, hook up the air and blast away.

There is always a chance that you may ruin the heater but this is your only option.

As far as removing the hoses from the heater its self. If it has to be done just remove the clamp then slice the hose. Hoses are cheap.


Heater core hoses are very short, connecting to metal tubes with a bypass tube connecting them to each other, and the entire apparatus firmly mounted in place.

My plan for now, I guess, is to see if I can last through the summer since the heater won't be much of an issue, then see what I can do about it, knowing a heater core is probably going to be in order.

Thanks.

 

[levi]

Thanks, cparks. As above, will try to make it through the summer before risking the core at this time.

 

[Fordiesel69]

What is so hard about flushing the heater core? Do it from the engine hoses not the core. Clamp the bypass and reverse the flow of water back and forth. Even put some air into it to loosen up the rust.

Its not really the heater core that is at fault. It is the lack of maintaining the green coolant, and the old iron block and heads flake particles off and plug the core. Ford also did a [censored] job at cleaning the block at the factory. Notice how vulcans equipped with G-05 coolant don;t do this? My 01' sure clogged up!

Follow these directions and you will have heat in no time:
http://taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=52556&hl=

 

[Chris142]

His car has a metal pipe that bypasses some of the coolant. When the heater gets plugged back flushing wont go through the heater but through the bypass pipe.

I've backflushed a few Taurus and Sables after removing the bypass pipe and had no issues.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
His car has a metal pipe that bypasses some of the coolant. When the heater gets plugged back flushing wont go through the heater but through the bypass pipe.

I've backflushed a few Taurus and Sables after removing the bypass pipe and had no issues.


Can this bypass pipe be removed without breaking the plastic clips?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Fordiesel69
Originally Posted By: Chris142
His car has a metal pipe that bypasses some of the coolant. When the heater gets plugged back flushing wont go through the heater but through the bypass pipe.

I've backflushed a few Taurus and Sables after removing the bypass pipe and had no issues.


Can this bypass pipe be removed without breaking the plastic clips?
I've got them off in the past but you are taking a chance that you will break the plastic heater pipes that are sticking out of the firewall.