Is it normal not to have any heat or defroster until the thermostat opens on our cars? That's the way mine is currently.
That's pretty much the way mine works. Back in the 70's my grandmother's maverick never got heat, never did figure that out. It helps if you block off part of the radiator.
Nope you should get heat as the engine has a by pass during wrm up. Here ya go. Bypass System This is a passage that allows the coolant to bypass the radiator and return directly back to the engine. Some engines use a rubber hose, or a fixed steel tube. In other engines, there is a cast in passage built into the water pump or front housing. In any case, when the thermostat is closed, coolant is directed to this bypass and channeled back to the water pump, which sends the coolant back into the engine without being cooled by the radiator. I guess it depends on what is actually on the car though and how its plumbed since its not likely stock. Stat housing,water pump etc.
HMMM. Perhaps the by-pass is plugged into the wrong port, or kinked. I get good heat as soon as I hit 180ยบ but before that, nothing. I must investigate. I have never had reliable heat in this car before and now i do , sort of.
There is a by-pass hose from the thermostat housing to the pump (short curved hose in front of engine) but the heater core itself is a by-pass. You should get heat as soon as your engine heats the coolant to 160 - 180 degrees. Mine takes about a mile of driving to get to the point where you can feel the heat. If the heater core isn't plugged and the vents aren't blocked with debris then the heater should drive you out of the car after 30 minutes of driving when on full heat. I have NEVER had to block the radiator of any Ford to get enough heat.
It doesnt help when the last owner doesnt install a thermostat and your never delivered warm air Thats stone cold
The hoses are new, the heater core has had an out of the car flush (i.e. real good) thermostat works properly. heater plenham has had an out of car cleaning and A/C componenet removal. All doors and flaps work properly (although manually) motor is new (1000 miles on it). water pump is new.
Like " Jsarnold " said! I had a thermostat housing with a heater hose nipple and it takes a special thermostat that goes into the housing past the outlet for the heater hose. If you use the thermostat that goes between the intake manifold and the housing you won't get any water flow in the heater until the thermostat opens! It will get worse in the winter because the thermostat won't open as much, or as soon. If you have your hose in the housing, try to put it in the intake and plug the port in the housing. This way the heater core will have water flowing as soon as the engine runs. I had this exact problem on another vehicle a few years back!
My heater hoses are routed so one goes from the intake to the heater core to the water pump. Then the other line on the water pump runs to the thermostat housing. My car starts blowing warm air fairly quickly.
