Garry Phinney, I read over your solution, as well as the other ones provided. I forgot to mention that I put a cardboard in front of the radiator already. Also, as I mentioned, the dealer did a backflush to check the heater core and eliminated that as the problem. However, you say that a heater core will still blow hot when ambient temperatures are not that terrible cold (-10 degrees celcius). The service women at the dealership told me that they cannot change parts just to see if that is the problem when the mechanic said that the heater core is working properly. The vehicle is still on warranty so I really don't want to spend the extra money if I don't have to. With that being said, if I end up deciding to put a new heater core in at my own expense, are there different types of heater cores or do I have to order it from the dealer through parts. I am really discouraged and I appreciate your input. (I think I typed this in the solutions box the first time.....opps!)

did you replace the thermostat with a brand new unit . If so pull it out and check it in water with a thermometer . Suspend the unit in water to the mounting plate and bring the water to the boil . The flap should start opening at the lower reading set on the body and be fully opened at the higher reading . If the flap is partially open at cold then replace it as it is unserviceable to start with. Thermostats can be bought with at least 2 temperature temp ranges depending on the area of operation so get a higher opening reading one for your purposes.

Have u fitted a cold weather thermostat shud b at least 88 degree one to engine also put a rad blind in front of radiator or at least large pice of cardboard

i hate no heat. ford taurus 2001 are a problem sometimes with heat issues.on the firewall there are heater hoses that get clogged,pinched,and sometimes it's just a bad heater core. you said everything you can think of has been done?[replaced heater core? flushed the radiator? are the cooling fans coming on? is radiator full of coolant? have you took the cap off to be sure?like i said,i hate no heat. i'm still thinking.thermostat new?the blower works but only blows cold air?ok if thermostats good,radiator is full,blower works,radiators full,cooling fans coming on, no engine overheating but temperature is fine,let's do this for a short winter time solution only!in the front of your car with the hood up.look at the radiator,ok,in front of the radiator,place a peice of cardboard in front of radiator on the bumper side. think i'm crazy right? try this. cut just a small peice of cardboard about half the size of the radiator and insert it in FRONT BUMPER SIDE of the radiator, this will give you emegency heat,it will have to come out when the temperature outside warms up because it will make your car overheat.for sure.but in cold weather,it's a sure thing to bring the heat up inside the car. you are restricting the air that flows through your radiator while the cars moving down the road,do not let car idle as it will heat up,as long as you're moving you will be safe,keep an eye on your temp. guage as you may have to make an adjustment to the size of the cardboard. yep i was a truck driver for many years and know so well how cold the road is. i kept my cardboard handy in the winter and never got cold. you do have an existing problem with your heat,and unless you deal with it soon,you'll need those cardboard boxes and duct tape for a minute.if you don't beleive me,try it.you'll be toasty in no time,just watch that temp guage and you'll be fine. thank you for choosing fixya.com and by the way,let me know how it works for you,i love to hear that i've assisted someone,somewhere.

thermostat is sticking open, make sure its the right temp to factory specifications and should be mixing fluid 60 40

you may only have a vacum lock in the coolant system,try letting your engine cool all the way down. then remove the radiator cap,start engine, add antifreeze to the radiator until it's full, put radiator cap back on,but do not lock the radiator cap on all the way, also you say you replaced the water pump? did you maybe get the heater hoses mixed up? in otherwords, didd you maybe reverse the flow to heater core? trying to help and racking my brain at same time,sorry! if all else fails!can tell you how to get emergency heat,cut a small peice of card board,put in front of the radiator,,only one side,halp of peice at first, you will have emergency heat,not a permanent fix. but promise heat! do not put in front of an electrical fan, not for you but everyone see;s this, so have to be sure to look out for you and everyonr else also. put the cardboard in FRONT of the radiator, you should be able to slide it in between the radiator and the air conditioner condensor.only takes a small peice only, not too much because the engine will really get too hot ok?

will try to help. is your radiator full of fluid? sometimes there will be an air lock, or [air in hoses] with the engine running at first started!!! take the radiator cap off, fill with 50/50 antifreeze. or if you are in alaska, seek advice from local parts store on level you need for coverage.you may have a bad bad heater core, but not likely because you would say you have fluid leaking onto passenger side floorboard.you may have purchased the car used?somewhere there is a blockage in your system.either a bad radiator,heater core,i will try to help because i've had same problem,in the FRONT OF RADIATOR]place a small peice of cardboard in the front of radiator!!ONLY COVER HALF OF THE RADIATOR] slide it down in front of the radiator on the side of the part where the radiator fan is not at. then you will have heat. if yout engine temperature rises to unsafe level, cut cardboard in half and replace!!!make sure;to put in front of the radiator only!!!this will apply heat to car while in motion!

put a piece of cardboard in front of radiator for some warmth in car ,the needle is a loose or damaged wire worry about that when weather is warmer

It is a good possibility that the thermostat is stuck open. Try putting a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator and then start the vehicle if it warms up more quickly most likely the thermostat is the issue and it needs to be replaced. Do not leave the cardboard in front of the radiator as it may cause it to overheat while driving.

they make a puller just for this you can rent one from your auto parts store,put cardboard in front of radiator to protect it and you will not have to pull rad.

Take like a piece of cardboard in winter and block off about half the radiator put the cardboard in front of the radiator.