jlimato

I have been having problems with my heat and spent entirely too much money with 4 mechanics. I have to start working on this problem myself.

I am trying to install the Prestone Flush and Fill kit and I cannot identify the heater intake hose that the T needs to be installed. Would someone be able to describe it to me. I found one hose that goes to the firewal with a tag that says W/PUMP. I would imagine this hose goes to the water pump from the heater code, and not the correct hose to install the T. Kind of tught in there.

It was recommended that I flush removing the heater core and t-stat watching I don't overheat.

Can someone help?

Thanks.

Jeff

U-Boot

Hi,
Have you checked your thermostat for correct functioning? Is this an overheating problem or a heat to the interior problem? Heater water flow may be controlled by a vacum operated switch when you twist the heater control. You can go to a Ford parts counter and ask for a print out of the heater system and components. This will have the switches etc on the print out. I did this for the AC on my Sable and it gave all the parts and their #s.
I put one of the flush kits on a F-150, but the hoses were evident. You can use washing soda as a mild radiator cleaner, but if the heater core is clogged, watch out. I am not sure of the location of a Windstar heater core, but if it is under the dash and with the AC oulet, good luck! I replaced the heater core on a 87 Taurus and it took two days, as you have to pull the whole dash out and disconnect the AC and a whole bunch of systems. I would never do it again, just sell the car! I think Ford gets about $900.00 to $1100.00 to do the job. So watch the effects on the heater core, no high pressure!
Also check with a good radiator guy, he should be able to tell you, or show you if you ask. If you need a radiator, check on the net for a HD brass copper job with 3 rows of tubes.
U-Boot

jlimato

I have a new T-stat installed with no success.. I was told by a mechanic that he receommended a goof back flush and a new heater core. He thinks the heater core keeps getting clogged. I cant afford to pay the mechaninc any more money on this van. I have to do it myself. Thanks.

jlimato

I would liek to verify this. I was told that the inlet to the heater core is the hose from the firewall to the water pump. Is this correct?

diofan

Your Inlet hose goes from the top of the engine (usually near the thermostat or attached to the thermostat housing on older cars) to the firewall. The outlet hose goes from the firewall to the Water Pump.

In cooling systems, the coolant flows from the radiator, to the engine, then to the water pump, back to the radiator.

If the inlet ran from the Firewall to the Water pump, this would reverse that flow. The whole idea is to get coolant through the radiator to cool it down before going back through the engine.

I've never worked on windstars but I drive one at work but if it has a 3.0 vulcan it shouldn't be much different then my sable.

The Inlet hose runs from the engine, just below the thermostat housing to the firewall. If you move the air filter housing you should see it there. Find the Thermostat housing, then look below it slightly toward the rear bank of the engine.

jlimato

Though I respect and appreciate all the previous replys, as well as a replys from other fee based questions and answers sites, but I have to say that your reply was the clearest and most intellectual I received. It makes perfect sense to me. Thank you very much.

diofan

My pleasure! That's what we are all here for! Someday maybe you can return the favor.

Just don't allow full pressure to go through it as this may totally mess up the system, minimum 16 PSI.

jwko

Maximum 16 PSI

jwko

diofan's post seems to be backwards. The hose that is marked waterpump would be the supply (inlet) hose to the heater core.

Coolant flows from the bottom hose on the radiator to the water pump, through the engine, past the thermostat and back through the to radiator hose to the radiator.

diofan

For reference, here's the locations of the Inlet and outlet hoses on my Sable:
Outlet Hose


Inlet Hose


I stand corrected...jwko is correct. The above images should still be of use. Just reverse the Hose labels in the images

The coolant follows a path that takes it from the water pump, through passages inside the engine block where it collects the heat produced by the cylinders. It then flows up to the cylinder head (or heads in a V type engine) where it collects more heat from the combustion chambers. It then flows out past the thermostat (if the thermostat is opened to allow the fluid to pass), through the upper radiator hose and into the radiator. The coolant flows through the thin flattened tubes that make up the core of the radiator and is cooled by the air flow through the radiator. From there, it flows out of the radiator, through the lower radiator hose and back to the water pump. By this time, the coolant is cooled off and ready to collect more heat from the engine.

The hot coolant is also used to provide heat to the interior of the vehicle when needed. This is a simple and straight forward system that includes a heater core, which looks like a small version of a radiator, connected to the cooling system with a pair of rubber hoses. One hose brings hot coolant from the water pump to the heater core and the other hose returns the coolant to the top of the engine. There is usually a heater control valve in one of the hoses to block the flow of coolant into the heater core when maximum air conditioning is called for.