I have an 1994 ford escourt wagon LX...i have replaced the thermostat and housing and back flushed the whole system..the air still doesnt blow hot enough air to warm the car up inside..this needs to be fixed this time RIGHT i put 400$ in this car already..my 4 year old needs a warmer car

how old is the thermostat? are any hoses cracked or sucked together. heater core may need to be flushed or replaced? good luck!

Hi, my name is John I will do my best to assist you.

I feel your pain, but unfortunately most automotive troubleshooting is a process of elimination, even for professionals.

Have you made sure that radiator fan is working? Shortly after the engine reaches normal operating temperature the fan should activate. If it doesn't this will cause overheating, especially when the car is stationary.

The most likely reason that it cools down when in motion is because air is forced across the radiator. If you find that the fan isn't working, post comments to this thread and I will attempt to assist you in checking the cooling fan circuit.

Another possibility is that the water pump is failing. Usually a failing pump will make a squealing, or roaring noise when spinning. Sometimes a small leak from the pump can be detected which is another indication of a failing pump.

If you have more specific questions please post comments to this thread and I will endeavor to monitor new activity and respond as soon as possible. I recommend that you "bookmark", or "add to favorites" this page for your convenience.

Try replacing radiator cap. I'd do this first and if that doesn't cure it replace heater control valve. The cap is the cheaper of the two.

Does the air coming out of the vents change when you move the temperature control knob? If you can't feel it, you should be able to hear the change

Even though you already flushed it I will bet the heater core has build up in it. My escort did that and i had to hook a garden hose direct to the heater core and flush it with dawn dish soap both directions several times untill all the slimy old antifreeze inside it finally broke loose and came out. Then it worked great

it could be the heater core is partialy pluged, see if someone can back flush it for you.

a/c and the cooling system are only marginally related in that the a/c condensor is located near the radiator, and both get hot and need a cooling fan to cool.

So, I would say, in your case, that the a/c going out is not related to the cooling system anomaly.

If you already have had the radiator flushed and the thermostat replaced, and it still does this, then I would determine which is more damaging, the hot while idling, or the cold while driving?

The needle for the temperature should remain in the middle after warming up.

Good luck on this repair.

Have you checked to make sure your antifreeze is up to the correct level? If fluid is low, it won't heat. Let the engine run with the radiator cap off in case you have an air pocket in cooling system.

Remove and raise upper hose at thermostat end and remove lower rad hose.
Fill rad with a hose and watch for flow from bottom rad hose and/ or bottom rad hose connecton.......water should fall though rad easily.
Honda rads are cheap.....any restriction....replace rad.

Remove thermostat....fill thermostat housing with hose and watch for water flow at bottom rad hose.
Flush good.

Remove heater hoses.......flush back and forth until a good flow is present "With heater control set to hot" if no or poor flow....replace heater core.

Stop leak can plug everything.

Also.......not likely causing over heating....but ....at your mileage,if you do not know if the timing belt has been changed.....CHANGE IT NOW!
Water pump is optional at this mileage.

Fuse MAIN - protects the following circuits:

• Charging System
• A/C
• BTN
• Cooling Fan
• Air Bag
• Fuse ABS
• Ignition Switch

Power Distribution