AceTrainerAndy
Member
- Joined
- December 8, 2013
- Messages
- 24
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Michigan
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer Sport 4.0V6
Hello Explorer forum! I have been having an issue with my Explorer that I need help with!
2002 Ford Explorer Sport
4.0 SOHC V6
244,000 miles
4x4
Ok, the problem is the heat is not working correctly. The car does blow hot air, but it will only do it roughly above 1500 RPM. When I stop at a red light I put my hand by the vents and I can feel the temperature of the air rapidly dropping. This is really bizarre to me because I look at the temperature gauge and it's roughly half way between the two bars. The colder it is outside the worse the problem is. Today I was at a fast food drive through and I ran an experiment. I turned all climate control off and just let it idle for ten minutes. After 10 minutes passed, I turned the heat on full blast and the heat was as cold as the outside air. The operating temperature was normal so this is really bizarre to me. The temperature was well below zero with the wind chill today.
I checked the coolant level and I noticed it is very low like 2-3 inches below the plastic line in the container. I opened the radiator at the cap while the car had sat in a cold garage for a few hours and it was very dry. Is that a bad thing? I am thinking this is my problem but I just want to make sure before I spend a lot of money. Another thing I was thinking is the thermostat is not opening correctly. I am PRAYING it's not this because this looks like a total s.o.b. to get to and replace. Another thing I think it could be is the heater core.
So, what do you guys think? I think (and hoping) that it just needs a coolant flush and a top off but that's the optimist in me. The pessimist in me says the gauge is lying and the car is overheating because I have a bad thermostat. Thank you!
2002 Ford Explorer Sport
4.0 SOHC V6
244,000 miles
4x4
Ok, the problem is the heat is not working correctly. The car does blow hot air, but it will only do it roughly above 1500 RPM. When I stop at a red light I put my hand by the vents and I can feel the temperature of the air rapidly dropping. This is really bizarre to me because I look at the temperature gauge and it's roughly half way between the two bars. The colder it is outside the worse the problem is. Today I was at a fast food drive through and I ran an experiment. I turned all climate control off and just let it idle for ten minutes. After 10 minutes passed, I turned the heat on full blast and the heat was as cold as the outside air. The operating temperature was normal so this is really bizarre to me. The temperature was well below zero with the wind chill today.
I checked the coolant level and I noticed it is very low like 2-3 inches below the plastic line in the container. I opened the radiator at the cap while the car had sat in a cold garage for a few hours and it was very dry. Is that a bad thing? I am thinking this is my problem but I just want to make sure before I spend a lot of money. Another thing I was thinking is the thermostat is not opening correctly. I am PRAYING it's not this because this looks like a total s.o.b. to get to and replace. Another thing I think it could be is the heater core.
So, what do you guys think? I think (and hoping) that it just needs a coolant flush and a top off but that's the optimist in me. The pessimist in me says the gauge is lying and the car is overheating because I have a bad thermostat. Thank you!
