Goofy

Currently, when I turn up the heat to max and the air flow to max, I get no hot air.

I have two theories:
#1 - Thermostat failed closed -- should have killed my engine by now (Many 85-90*+ days recently)
#2 - Heater core clogged -- I need a new one then...

Recent Changes:
Coolant flushed and changed by a local Firestone shop.

Questions:
#1 - Which of my theories is more likely?
#2 - Is it possible that getting the coolant flushed disloged particulate matter that clogged my heater?
#2.a - Was Firestone negligent, allowing this? (This is for peace of mind and reliability of using Firestone, not with the intent of getting them to fix my problem.)
#3 - How many hours does it take to get to the center of a... I mean, how many licks does it take to change out a heater core?
#3.a - Are their any cheaper alternatives to an OEM heater core?


Thanks,
Cody

tinvestor

The valve that opens and closes the passage to the heater core could have failed, the Logicon could be screwed, if your thermostat went coolant still flows through the heater core.

The heater core is cheap but it takes A LOT of licks to get to the center of that tootsie pop. 6 hours minimum and that is if you are fast!

I would exhaust the other options before declaring it dead.

tinvestor

It is possible that it clogged like that but you should pull the hoses off the heater core and try to blow through ( not compressed air or you will need a new one) make sure key is on and calling for heat. The valve or the logicon may still be the culprit if you cant blow through it.

Goofy

Is the heater core valve a tough fix? (Oh where, oh where has my man-u-al gone? Where, oh where can it be?)

Anyone know on what page of the FSM info on the heater core exists? I can't seem to find it.

catchafox

take the two hoses off the firewall where the heater core is and crank the garden hose up and use your hand to seal around the pipes, do one side then the other a couple of times, you should get some sludge and crap out as thats where it normally sits, you know when your core is leaking as you get green smelly carpets (green coolant)

retono

i have a heater core fo sale lmk