Heating, Air Conditioning & Cooling SystemsDoes your heater blow cold air? Does your air conditioning blow hot air? Post your all of your technical issues related to your heating, heating core, air conditioning unit and controls here. Don't wait until it is to late to get these important vehicle functions fixed.
Thanks! They're replacing my heater core now as well. Thank gawd when it finally completely quit it was already at the dealership. They told me the same thing you heard...they've been having a good deal of issues with them. I have 6k miles on mine already. They told us that the holes coming into the heater core were too small and were getting plugged up and the new ones were 'fixed'. We'll see. It's been in the shop now for 1 1/2 weeks already. I'm getting impatient..not to mention a bit leery with them ripping out the steering column and the whole dash to get to the heater core. nothing like buying new and having it all taken apart. They've been warned that we need it back in the pristine condition which we brought it in. Frustrating, but I still love the vehicle!
You seem to mimic our '09 Flex issues. Please post back and let us know if replacing the water pump works. Our negative MN temps make it imperative to fix or my babies simply can't be in the car. Since my heater core is getting replaced (should get it back today/tomorrow)...if the issue still exists, your experiences will be greatly appreciated!
Caution!!!! A new heater core did not fix the cabin heat problem in my Flex!!!!
Do not let the dealership convince you of this. It is a waste of time and money. Print this thread out and take it to them.
Here is what has been replaced on my Flex with no change in the cabin heat issues.
1. Heater core
2. Thermostat
3. Temperature sensor
4. Temperature sending unit.
Here is what I have tried with no improvement
1. Putting cardboard in the grill to block the radiator
2. Run the rear heat both full on and off
After extensive testing on my part, I believe there is something in the system that stops the flow of the coolant at idle only. It is most likely mechanical or an electronic control that is malfunctioning.
The issue in my Flex is only at idle, and once rpms go up, instantly I have good heat.. And again once back to idle, the cold air quickly returns. Its almost like there is a valve that shuts the flow of coolant off at idle, but opens once the rpms go up.
I do not believe it is a blockage as there would be reduced heat all the time and, my heater core was replaced with the "supposed good one", and the system was completely flushed out and the removed heater core was inpsected with no build up or blockage in it.
The service manager at my dealership is supposedly talking with Ford this week on the issue. I will keep you posted.
Our Flex was already in the shop and I picked it up yesterday otherwise I'd have heeded your message. Indeed, the issue still exists for us as well. Basically, what we were told is that in order for warranty to be covered by Ford, the dealership has to follow what corporate service tells them the recommended paths for resolution are. If they replace something that Ford does not tell them to and it does not work, they are not reimbursed for their time/parts. So, we go that route.
Our issues are the same as what you're talking about. The thermostat was the first to be replaced and now the heater core. We're also pushing for a higher pressure water pump. In the rear, we run the heat as controlled in the back and it stays toasty, the only place we have issues is in the front. Same idle stuff. If we run the air on recirculate, it stays warm as well...until the windows fog up :-) -21 today, so that wasn't the top option on my list :-) Our service manager is talking with Ford as well. This morning we talked to another Ford dealership and they said they are having the same problem with another one in the area; however, of the number they sold, that was the only one with issues that they were aware of.
We've moved from ND to MN in the time we purchased so are going back to the original dealership to notify them of the issues and see what they are willing to do for us at this point. We'll exhaust the options I guess. Bummer is that I really love the vehicle. The other bummer is that by tomorrow when it's above 20 degrees i won't have the problem again :-) ha ha!! I laugh because of the ridiculous nature, but it is what it is. We've had problems with our new GMCs in the past as well so I truly can't just blame Ford for the inadequacies of their engineers.
I'll keep you posted as well, there's got to be a resolution in sight!
By the way 'theOldWizard'...we've been researching the Lemon Law as well! Since we bought in ND, we have 3 'reasonable attempts' to resolve the issue (MN law is '4 reasonable attempts, Ripdangle, in case you're researching as well). Then it's either new replacement or purchase price refund minus $.10/mile. Oh well. If I have to finance a new one at least the interest rates are a bit lower now :-) Que cera, cera!
...After extensive testing on my part, I believe there is something in the system that stops the flow of the coolant at idle only...
YES ! It is called the thermostat !
The purpose of a thermostat is to get the engine up to "operating temperatures" as fast a possible and keep it there. The radiator and heater(s) suck too much heat away from the engine and the thermostat closes.
A smarter engineer than I will have to figure out another solution to this problem.
__________________ Peace, it's our only chance
1998 E150 Club Wagon, 4.6L Modular, E4OD
2007 Milan. 3.0L Duratec, Aisin 6 speed AW-F21 others I look out for
2007 Escape 2wd (the mini Pumpkin), 3.0L Duratec, CD4E
2008 Mazda3 5 door, 2.3L, 5 speed manual
Thanks for your feedback amgr8sir on your car and the lemon law. I too will let you know what happens on my end. My Flex is at the Roseville Dealership.
Our dealership called yesteday to let us know that they were aware the issue was not resolved. (nice gesture - they've been terrific there) Basically, our service mgr said that Ford is aware they have an issue and are 'experimenting' right now to see what the real problem is and how to resolve it. So, at this time, we hang tight. Weather is above 0 today though, so no issue this morning! ha ha!
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