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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

heat takes a long time to come on

  • Thread starter Thread starter soupnatizzle
  • Start date Start date Dec 5, 2006
S

soupnatizzle

New Member
Dec 3, 2006
7
0
0
Dec 5, 2006
#1
  • Dec 5, 2006
  • #1
i have a 1995 3.8l mustang and the heat takes nearly 20 mins to turn on in the morning. its 20 degrees here and im driving to school in a freezing cold car..

what might cause the heat to take this long to turn on and what are my options to fix it..

P.S. i new radiator was installed less then a year ago
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Dec 5, 2006
#2
  • Dec 5, 2006
  • #2
As soon as the t-stat opens, the motor is filled with super-cooled coolant from the radiator. If a cooler t-stat than stock is run (great for summer, crappy for winter), this can happen.

I don't do the cold climate thing anymore but up in Alaska we'd swap t-stats and/or do some shadetree things to get some winter heat (up there if you had an older 4 banger, you could forget getting heat no matter what. Bigger motors were better and big blocks could do pretty decent).
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
Dec 5, 2006
#3
  • Dec 5, 2006
  • #3
as well, be sure that whoever did your radiator didn't leave the tstat out altogether, or it could be stuck open.

careful with what you do though, if it's a pre 99 3.8L, overheat that sucker, and you'll blow the head gaskets right out.
 

Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet
Sep 17, 2005
2,867
3
58
Port Elgin, Ontario
Dec 5, 2006
#4
  • Dec 5, 2006
  • #4
for the $5 it is Try a T-stat first
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
4,265
12
69
B.C. Canada
Dec 6, 2006
#5
  • Dec 6, 2006
  • #5
also since the heater core is above the rad level if you do not have your cooling system topped right up sometimes it won't circulate through the heater core.
 
G

GTOreturns

Well-Known Member
Oct 1, 2003
51
17
59
West Coast Best Coast
Dec 6, 2006
#6
  • Dec 6, 2006
  • #6
Deal with it!! You "DO NOT" wanna change your heater core! Change the stat,if that doesnt help just deal with it. Buy a portable on you plug into your cigarette lighter.
 
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