Dont think my heater core is working right.

Morgan1986 · November 1, 2012

The rad hoses going to fire wall , one is hotter than the other . My door actuators are working fine and my coolant level is up . The gage is about 90 C did not seem to go up but it is winter now.

I saw pictures of a guy replacing his heater core and he took the whole dash apart like air bags and steering column and everything. I am not cut out to do that air bags scare me. I was reading about people flushing out there heater core with like water/air but I am kinda stupid and just look at a bunch of hoses and go ummmm yea. I know if I was living at home my dad would be able to fix it for me but he is like 8 plus hours away.

I also heard if the water pump is not working good that could cause low heat

so i could try: flushing the heater core out

replace the thermos stat

replace the water pump

install a new heater core ( dont want to )

I have made sure my door actuators are working not 100 percent sure tho if my thermos stat is working its reading about 90 C .

Oh and i read that I can get air in the system and try un screwing the filler cap find a hill so that the filler is higher than the heater core and rev the engine .

So I am not really sure what to do. I dont know how to flush out a heater core , never replaced a thermos stat , never replaced a water pump,

weather right now is -4 c

any advice would be helpful thanks

Bad Bowtie2 · November 1, 2012

How many miles on your '05?

Has the cooling system ever been serviced??

Morgan1986 · November 1, 2012

How many miles on your '05?

Has the cooling system ever been serviced??

about 90 thousand km (not much) No it has not been serviced , We have had two ford trucks that never had heating problems and one truck is a 91 and the other is a 2000 . I was reading with this dexcool or what ever GM uses that it needs to be service. (that is stupid the regular stuff in the fords dont) All I ever done is changed the oil, filters, grease the 6 nipples under the front of the truck , and changed the rear diff fluid . I did not know that I need to change the coolant. No it has not been service ....

Morgan1986 · November 1, 2012

How many miles on your '05?

Has the cooling system ever been serviced??

about 90 thousand km (not much) No it has not been serviced , We have had two ford trucks that never had heating problems and one truck is a 91 and the other is a 2000 . I was reading with this dexcool or what ever GM uses that it needs to be service. (that is stupid the regular stuff in the fords dont) All I ever done is changed the oil, filters, grease the 6 nipples under the front of the truck , and changed the rear diff fluid . I did not know that I need to change the coolant. No it has not been service ....

What do you mean has it ever been serviced? I have owned the truck since 05 , I added some dexcool to it because it was below the full when cold mark. This problem seemed to happen over night .

00Silverado4x4 · November 1, 2012

Your owners manual should give an interval on time/km's (miles) on having your coolant replaced. If it hasn't ever been done, it's probably got build up in the coolant system and has blocked your heater core.

oldmann · November 1, 2012

Any chance you have taken the top plastic cover off of the engine? sometimes when they are replaced the heater hose gets pinched shut under the cover.

Morgan1986 · November 1, 2012

Any chance you have taken the top plastic cover off of the engine? sometimes when they are replaced the heater hose gets pinched shut under the cover.

dont have a plastic cover. I am going to try to change the thermostat this weekend .

Bad Bowtie2 · November 2, 2012

I would drain the entire system then.

Change the thermostat at this time with a NAPA Gold or AC Delco replacement. Flush the heater core, with LOW pressure waterhose water each direction.

Then add new Dexcool & distilled water.

G/L

Morgan1986 · November 2, 2012

So looking under the rad on the passenger side i see a funny looking plastic thing with a hole .If that is the drain cock how does it work .

bossier62guy · November 2, 2012

I don't think you have a drain valve for the radiator....just remove the lower radiator hose.

txab · November 2, 2012

I don't think you have a drain valve for the radiator....just remove the lower radiator hose.

+1

Morgan1986 · November 3, 2012

So changed out my thermostat and its working great now . If I had to do it again I would buy a pair of channel lock pliers . (took me 45 mins to put the hose back on with needle nose) The stupid GM part is made in Mexico so I wont go to GM for that part again just nappa or lordco .

What have I learned . I learned about my heating system , I learned how to recalibrate the actuator doors and open up one of the motors and cleaned the dirt/grease on a sensor metal strip. I learned how to get air out of the system, I learned there is no drain for the rad. I LEARNED THAT MY GAGE SHOULD JUST BE UNDER 100 and not like 90 C.

Things I should keep a eye on are if there is any leaks , my temp gauge, and check on the level of the coolant.

Thanks guys for all of your input and help