Air is cold, but so is the heat?

[Engine207]

I'm not sure this is the right forum, so if it'd be better elsewhere...please feel free to move.

Anyway...my truck is a 2007 Expedition EL, and for the first morning of the season, I felt like mixing in some heat with those open windows. Problem is the air coming out when the selector was full-blast/full-heat was about the same as if the temperature selector was at dead noon.

The air was still way colder, but that was nothing close to heat. Thanks for any thoughts, in advance...

 

[Stoned06]

Did the vehicle engine temp get up to normal? If not, thermostat is likely the culprit. If vehicle temp was normal, a blend door or vacuum problem is likely.

 

[toms89]

I'm not sure this is the right forum, so if it'd be better elsewhere...please feel free to move.

Anyway...my truck is a 2007 Expedition EL, and for the first morning of the season, I felt like mixing in some heat with those open windows. Problem is the air coming out when the selector was full-blast/full-heat was about the same as if the temperature selector was at dead noon.

The air was still way colder, but that was nothing close to heat. Thanks for any thoughts, in advance...

Can you clarify??

Are you saying with the temperature selector full hot the air coming out of the vents is cool? But not as cold as the outside air??

 

[Engine207]

Did the vehicle engine temp get up to normal? If not, thermostat is likely the culprit. If vehicle temp was normal, a blend door or vacuum problem is likely.

Yes. The engine temp gauge is normal and the truck is running just fine. I phoned the dealer, who promptly offered me a $65 diagnostic, but I'm more incline to troubleshoot the problem with help from informed people (like y'all), then do the work myself.

Can you clarify??

Are you saying with the temperature selector full hot the air coming out of the vents is cool? But not as cold as the outside air??

Yes, again. When I turn the air conditioning on and the temperature selector to full cold, it cools like air conditioning should. However, when I turn the selector to full hot, the air is cool. Not air conditioning cold, but cool. Probably the outside ambient temperature.

Keep in mind, I don't use heat very much in the Arizona desert, but the mornings and evenings are sometimes chilly enough to use a little heat when first getting in. I should also add that when I last used the heat, it worked just fine. This was my first time of the season.

Thanks for taking the time to work with me on this.

 

[stamp11127]

For a few pats on the back we will help you out.....

Bring the engine up to temp, grab each of the heater hoses to determine if they are hot. That will establish if the core is getting hot coolant. If they are the next thing to check will be the blend door.

Is the rear heat working correctly?

 

[kmh1596]

I agree with the post above, and will second that it sounds like a blend-door issue to me. That may not be too fun of a fix.

 

[DetroitDarin]

Air in the back warm?

Mine acted like yours; except rear air was toasty. Replaced heater core - $740 parts and labour.

 

[Engine207]

Strangest thing happened last evening. I was watching YouTube vids on how to repair/replace the blend door. It's either removing the whole dash, or dremel-cutting a hole behind the glove box. Another vid said I should try to "exercise the temperature blend dial". When I went out to try that, I heard a thump-thump-thump-thump sound, so I turned it all back to off/neutral.

Well...then I turned the heat on like normal, and almost got 3rd degree burns!! I've tried it several times since, and it turns on and blends just like normal. I'm guessing it just got stuck closed from being on a/c 11 months of the year, but it'll probably not be the last time I deal with it.

Total cost to repair: $0.00/2 hours in YouTube.

 

[bedrck46]

Keep an eye on it. If it happens again you should now be better informed as to what to look for.

 

[stamp11127]

That thumping sound may have been the teeth in the blend door actuator jamming. Baby it and it will last longer - avoid full hot and cold if possible.