Heater Problems????

[Sompin2do]

I've searched on this topic and am not sure about a possible solution.

I'm looking at a 95 Cobra to purchase and am concerned because the heater does not blow hot at all. The guy has only owned the car for 1 year and has never had it looked at. It has low miles 77,000 and has been well taken care of. He needs a truck for a start up business so I don't suspect abuse.
Is there an easy way for me to diagnose if it could be the thermostat? Water pump? Other? Last resort will be for me to take it in and pay to have it checked just in case.

Thanks for the help
Mike

 

[CManT1914]

Probably the heater core. That's a pretty tough job there. Although a blazer came into the dealership yesterday with a leaky heater core, one of the other guys had it out and the new one in in just a few hours.

 

[Sompin2do]

Oh man, that makes my head hurt. I did it on my 90 GT and hated every step, except of course the money saved in labor. :>
If it were the heater core, wouldn't there be an odor from antifreeze? There are no signs of leaks or smells inside.

 

[CManT1914]

Oh man, that makes my head hurt. I did it on my 90 GT and hated every step, except of course the money saved in labor. :>
If it were the heater core, wouldn't there be an odor from antifreeze? There are no signs of leaks or smells inside.

Oh yea, I forgot about that. I don't remember if the blazer smelled or not, I didn't do that job. If it's not the heater core, then I'm not sure what it could be (completely brain dead right now, sorry).

 

[Sompin2do]

Thanks for your suggestions. I may have to take it in before I decide on buying. I've done zero work on the 94s and up, and don't want to start with the heater core.

 

[a50sn95]

It's not likely the Thermostat or the water pump. Does the temp guage seem to get to the normal range?
It COULD be the door in the HVAC system not opening. Maybe a vacuum hose disconnected.
Look to see if the heater core is bypassed. Check the hoses into the firewall. If the core has failed, this is an easy way to make the car driveable. If the core was leaking and not bypassed, you'd be dumping water/antifreeze on the carpet.
My guess is either the door isn't opening, or the core is bypassed.
I did my heater core a couple of years ago. It's a big job, but it's NOT hard. Basically lowered the steering column, and pulled the dash out far enough to get the top of the hvac box pried up to get the core out. Took about 8 hours, but I took my time...

 

[Sompin2do]

The good news is the seller had the heater problem checked out. The bad news is the prevoius owner bypassed the core......
Can anyone recommend a really good manual to use? Good step by step instuctions? I've got a good book for the 90-93 but not a 95.
Am I crazy for considering doing this myself? Thanks again for the feedback.



Man I wish I lived near my old Air Force buddies! We used to tear into each others cars all the time!

 

[a50sn95]

Probably as close as you are going to get. Remember to disconnect the battery and wait a while so the airbags don't go off...
This is exactly how I did mine....
How-To

 

[a50sn95]

Just set aside enough time, get a GENUINE FORD heater core, and take your time. It's not hard, and an easy way to save yourself about 800 bucks. Use it as a bargaining tool to get the price lower, or for him to pay for it.......
Dennis

 

[Sompin2do]

Thanks Dennis. How similar is this to the R&R for a 95?

 

[a50sn95]

Very similar. I used website that showed a FOX how-to when I did mine...
Seems like I had a couple of dash screws to find, but no big deal. I even left my A/C in like this article shows....