Heater Core issue & hesitation

[bottomgun33]

I had my heater core replaced 9K miles ago and am now hearing liquid sloshing around in the dash. Nothing is leaking out onto the floor. Firestone did the work and has verified the coolant system has no air in it and is stumped. Any ideas?

When driving under 50, the truck sputters bad. I was thinking of a COP going bad.

She is an 02 5.4L

 

[fordfan66]

I just bypassed my heater core as its either a 7 hour or 14 hour job depending on who you talk to.

 

[215Expedition]

I hear the same noise in my dash, it gets louder when I go uphill, but no leaks, i think either the system is not filled or i have air in it.

 

[Rosin]

A few days ago, I noticed the same noise, but just like y'all said, nothing is leaking. I'll check the coolant level just to be sure. I replaced my own heater core last winter; that was not fun at all. It took two days, and I had about thirty left-over screws. I'll post back if the coolant level is low.

As for the sputtering, mine used to do that too. It was misfiring because a couple of the spark plug boots had come loose. Replacing the plugs and wires might be a good idea. Are you getting any trouble codes?

 

[chucks97expy]

I replaced the heater core in my 97 Expy,(135,000 miles) it has the 5.4L. It made that sloshing sound but only for a little while. Sounds like its got air in the line. Give it time, should go away.
As far as the sputtering? Mine did that as well. I did the complete tune up. All 8 coil packs and plugs. The plugs I took out had the electrode burnt down on each one. I figured if I had to replace a coil then might as well replace it all. She runs like a bat outa hell now!

 

[chucks97expy]

Took me two days to replace mine too! Don't know why they made it so difficult to get to. And those snap fit lines that go back on....what a pain in the a##

 

[Mediamonkey11]

I've had this issue on vehicles before, turned out to be the radiator cap failed not allowing the system to correctly pressurize and purge air bubbles, certainly cheap to try!

 

[Rosin]

Just checked today, and sure enough, I was low on coolant. I topped it off and haven't noticed the noise anymore.

 

[KWT2000]

keep an eye on the level hopefully thats all it was

 

[bottomgun33]

My apologies on the late reply.

As for the water sound in the dash, it turns out that the OEM Heater Core had a restrictor installed. Firestone installed a restrictor in one of the hoses and all is well again. Firestone is the one who did the replacement last year and "only" charged me $650 as compared to about $850 and up from others.

The sputtering is still ongoing. I have no codes to read and no idiot light is illuminated. My wonderful MPG hasn't fallen off (we all know that wouldn't be a long drop anyway). I have the original wires on the plugs and had the plugs changed about 60K miles ago. I'll look into changing the wires myself (hard to do as I am always having a surgery for arthritis).

Thanks y'all!!

 

[chucks97expy]

I changed my COP's when I changed the plugs. My 97 doesn't have the two-piece plug type so I lucked out and got them out without breaking them. The rear 4 are pretty hard to get to but the Cop's and plug wires are much easier. I bought a set of COP's with the wires already attached off ebay and just changed it all at once. The miss I had was gone and she's been running smooth ever since.

 

[bottomgun33]

Water sound is back. WTF?? I found where Ford issued a TSB (01-15-6) for repeated heater core replacements. It says to check for electrolysis before installing restrictors which is the last resort.

As for the hesitation, I don't have a code yet as to which COP(S) is/are dying. I am having surgery next week and will be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks so I won't do it while I am laid up. Firestone quoted me $155. I've been paying Ford $300+ when the have died.

 

[Expyguru]

I took the easy way when doing mine. I cut a hole on the inside of the dash to swap it then plastic welded it back up so you could not tell. I thick around 4 hours total.