Heater in my Tempo

[meinp5]

Since last week I wrecked my car, I have been driving a 1990 Ford Tempo. It is my dads beater car that doesn't get much attention. Since it sits a lot I have been doing little things here and there to get it fixed up so it isn't too bad to drive for the next week and a half while my car is getting fixed.

Does anyone know what parts may need to replace in order to get the heater working and get it nice and warm. Right now it gets warm but doesn't heat up the car very well. Since I have been "modding" and working on cars, everything I have worked on has been new. I have never had to fix something like this. Any help would be apreciated.

[mikeyb]

It should be similar to most newer cars. When you say it gets warm, are you referring to the coolant temp gauge or the heat blowing out of the vents?

[meinp5]

Both...the coolent gauge gets to about 1/4 of the way and the heat gets kinda warm...but it doesn't warm up the car.


It should be similar to most newer cars. When you say it gets warm, are you referring to the coolant temp gauge or the heat blowing out of the vents?

[meinp5]

bump..any more ideas?

[mikeyb]

bump..any more ideas?

Check the thermostat because it could be stuck up. Allowing the coolant to run through. Does the blower motor work on all speed settings?

[mikeyb]

Check the coolant it could be low.

[Jaysanooch]

It's an old car with a 4 cylinder right? You can't expect the heat to be super hot and if it does it takes alot longer to reach it. I got a 93 tercel winter beater in great shape...but the thing finally gets warm just as I get home. It is what it is but if anything.....check things like your thermostat or the heater core.

[meinp5]

Yes it does have a 4 cyl. Thanks for the ideas...I am going to check out both those items and see if that doesn't help a little.

[Jaysanooch]

Ya well I hope it's not your heater core...most of the time it's found under the dash. I'd just take her for a spin...top up all the fluids, test the brakes and check tire pressure....run car and the heater for awhile and maybe you'll notice it ain't so bad. On a tiny old 4 cylinder car, the heater takes awhile and it usually heats up faster while driving.

[MP3Architect]

i had a tempo long long ago and i remember the heater not working so well. but check your cooling system...especially the therm and coolent levels as stated already.

[meinp5]

Just out of curiousity, why would the coolent matter? I guess I don't understand the logistics of how the heating system works, or which parts are involved.

[mikeyb]

You need to read this article on how a cooling system works.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system.htm

[tang]

in short if there is not enough coolant in the system it will not go to your heater core to produce heat. It will just sit in the radiator and not circulate like it should. I used to have 2 Tempos, and the heater worked great in both of them, the gas milage wasn't to bad either. I had 220,000 miles on the one (till i hit a deer) with no heater problems. I would check the items listed above.

[meinp5]

Thanks for the info. The heater is working ok now...the car just has to get warmed up first. It takes a few minutes but works ok.


in short if there is not enough coolant in the system it will not go to your heater core to produce heat. It will just sit in the radiator and not circulate like it should. I used to have 2 Tempos, and the heater worked great in both of them, the gas milage wasn't to bad either. I had 220,000 miles on the one (till i hit a deer) with no heater problems. I would check the items listed above.