2000 ford excursion heater core replacement

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Ford Excursion heater not working – causes and diagnosis

The heater in Ford Excursion ensures comfortable temperature in the passenger compartment when the weather is chilly. There are many reasons for poor heating performance in Excursion, which are explained in this article.

The heater may stop working in Ford Excursion due to low coolant level or air in the cooling system, clogged heater core, bad thermostat, faulty blend door actuator, bad water pump, dirty cabin air filter, bad blower motor, or HVAC control unit malfunction.

1. Low coolant or air in the cooling system

Low coolant level or air in the cooling system can cause the heater to stop working properly in Excursion. If the cooling system is not full and bled properly, the water pump will not be able to push the coolant around the system efficiently.

The heating system in Excursion uses hot coolant or antifreeze from the engine block to heat the interior of the vehicle. The hot coolant is pumped through the heater core located behind the dashboard. When you turn on the heating, air gets blown through the heater core, warming the air in the cabin. If there is air trapped inside the heater core, the coolant will not be able to flow through it properly. Since the heater core is usually slightly higher, the air will accumulate in there first. By filling and properly bleeding the system the heat should come back.

Sloshing water sound

Low coolant level or air in the heater core can sometimes cause sloshing sound from behind the dashboard when the engine is running. The sound is most prominent right after you start the vehicle.

Check coolant level

Checking coolant level in Excursion is a fairly some job. You just have to locate the coolant overflow reservoir and inspect the level of coolant in it. If the coolant level is low, open the cap and pour some coolant into the tank until it is between minimum and maximum mark.

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2. Clogged heater core

Clogged heater core is one of the leading causes of heating not working in Ford Excursion. The design of the heater core is similar to the radiator, it has narrow internal channels through which hot coolant flows. Over time, the heater core can begin to rust or mineral deposits can form in these channels, blocking the flow of the coolant.

How to check if the heater core is clogged

You don’t have to remove the heater core in your Excursion to check if it is clogged. Locate two rubber hoses that connect to the heater core through the firewall area. Feel both the rubber lines going in and out of the heater core after the engine has warmed up. Both should be hot. If one is hot and the other is cold, you have a plugged heater core.

Flush the heater core

Before you consider replacing the heater core in your Excursion, it is recommended to flush the existing heater core. Flushing is done by pushing water through the outlet hose of the heater core and draining the gunk from the inlet hose. There are flush kits available in the market that can help you do the job yourself.

3. Bad thermostat

Thermostat is a part of the cooling system in Ford Excursion which ensures that the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature as quickly as possible and maintain it under all operating conditions.

Thermostat is stuck open

When you start your Excursion when the engine is cold, the thermostat cuts off flow of coolant through the radiator in order to quickly reach the optimal engine operating temperature. But if the thermostat has developed a defect and is stuck to open position, the coolant will continuously flow through the radiator and the engine may take a long time to reach its optimal operating temperature.

Heater takes a long time to blow hot air

Since the heating system in Excursion relies on the hot coolant from the engine to heat the interior, the heater will blow cold air until the engine reaches its normal operating temperature. But if the weather is too cold, the engine may never reach its optimal operating temperature with a stuck open thermostat. Your vehicle may also consume more fuel than normal.

5. Bad water pump

The water pump is the heart of the cooling system in Excursion responsible for pumping coolant throughout the system and cooling the engine. If the water pump has worn out and the coolant is not being circulated as effectively as it used to, it can cause the heater to stop working properly because there’s less coolant available to transfer heat between the engine and the heater core.

Water pumps usually last for more than 100,000 miles, but they can fail at any time. A bad water pump will not only cause poor heating, but can also result in engine damage due to overheating. Therefore it is important to diagnose a failing water pump at early stages to avoid expensive repairs later on.

6. Faulty blend door actuator

Blend door actuator plays a role in controlling the temperature inside your Excursion. If the blend door actuator fails to fully open the blend door towards the heater core, it will result in poor heating performance.

The most common symptom of a faulty blend door actuator in Ford Excursion is a slight clicking sound (or other unusual noise) repeatedly coming from under the dashboard. The sound will be most prominent for a few seconds when you turn on the air conditioning or adjust the temperature.

Symptom: knocking sound

A knocking noise from behind the dashboard could be an indicator of a bad blend door actuator in your Excursion. The sound is something like a light tapping on the door and it typically happens when you turn on/off the air conditioning system or start the engine.

Symptom: creaking sound

One side hot, other side cold.

A common symptom of a faulty blend door actuator in vehicles with dual zone climate control system is one side blowing hot air while the other side is blowing cold air.

Replace the faulty part

A bad blend door actuator usually cannot be repaired and must be replaced with a new one. Due to the complexity of the replacement job, it is not recommended as a DIY project. The blend door actuator may require recalibration after replacement.

7. Dirty cabin air filter

Dirty cabin air filter is the leading cause of weak heater airflow in Ford Excursion. The pollen filter, also known as the cabin air filter or microfilter, is responsible for filtering the air that the passengers breathe in the cabin. A dirty filter causes the overall ventilation of the interior to deteriorate resulting in reduced heating and airflow.

There is no fixed time for replacing the cabin air filter, but most manufacturers recommend a change after 10,000-20,000 miles. If you drive your vehicle in dusty or polluted environment, the filter can get dirty much sooner than manufacturer’s recommendation. Additionally, if you drive your Excursion with AC system set to fresh outside air most of the time, your cabin air filter will get dirty much sooner as compared to air recirculation mode.

Replace the filter at the start of every winter for optimal performance

It is generally recommended to replace the cabin air filter every year at the start of the winter season. Spring and summer seasons are hard on the cabin air filter because of pollen and bugs, and in the fall they can get clogged with leaf debris. This gives you a fresh start for the winter, improves defroster performance, and reduces chances of mold or mildew growth.

Can you clean a dirty cabin air filter?

Instead of changing the cabin air filter in Excursion, it is often recommended to first clean the filter. This can be done, for example, with a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air system, removing at least a large part of the visible dirt particles. Unfortunately, this procedure does not allow you to get into the deeper layers of the filter. Therefore, the filter performance will not increase significantly even after cleaning. As a rule, there is no avoiding a change if the filter is dirty.

8. Sluggish blower motor

If the blower motor in your Excursion is not spinning fast enough either due to an internal defect or due to a fault in the resistor/control module, the airflow from the AC vents will be weaker and the heating performance will be degraded.

When a blower motor goes bad, it usually makes unusual noises when in operation, and the passengers may feel reduced airflow from the air vents. Keep in mind that reduced airflow doesn’t always indicate a problem with the blower motor, as it can also happen due to a clogged cabin air filter, dirty evaporator, or a bad mode door actuator. So, all of them must be inspected when diagnosing poor airflow.

9. Dead blower motor (no airflow)

If there is no air flow from the air vents in the dashboard when you turn on the heater in your Ford Excursion, it means the problem is related to the fan or blower motor function.

The most common causes for blower motor not working in Ford Excursion are blown fuse, bad relay, resistor or control module malfunction, and faulty blower motor. However, a bad electrical connector or broken wire, or a defect in the climate control unit can also cause the blower motor to stop working.

10. Dirty evaporator

Dirty evaporator can cause weak airflow and reduce the heating performance in Excursion. Although, the evaporator coil is a component of the cooling function of the air-conditioning system, but the air always first passes through the evaporator and then flows over the heater core.

The cabin air filter captures most of the dirt or other airborne particles, but some particles escape and can get lodged on to the evaporator. Over time, these particles build up on the fins and block the air flow through the evaporator, causing reduced air flow in the cabin and poor heating or cooling.

Function of the evaporator in heating mode

When the heater is turned on and the AC turned off, the compressor does not turn on and the evaporator is not cooled. When you press the AC button in heating mode, the compressor turns on and the evaporator cools and dries the air before it enters the heater core. This mode is useful for clearing fog from the windows.

11. Faulty HVAC module

Climate control module is the brain of the air-conditioning system in your Ford Excursion, responsible for controlling all the components in the system. In rare cases, a fault in the climate control unit can cause the heater to stop functioning. This would require a scan tool to confirm correct operation.

12. Blown head gasket

The head gasket is responsible for providing the seal between the engine block and cylinder heads. Its purpose is to seal the combustion gases within the cylinders and to avoid coolant or engine oil leaking into the cylinders. Leaks in the head gasket can cause all sorts of problems in your Excursion including poor heater performance. This is mostly common in older vehicles.

Leaking exhaust gases

A blown head gasket can cause the exhaust gases from the engine to enter the cooling system and plug the heater core. Clearing the air from the heater core will not help until the head gasket has been replaced.

Leaking coolant

A blown head gasket can cause coolant to leak into the combustion chambers and burn off. If your Excursion is losing coolant, that means there is a leak somewhere or it is getting burned up inside the engine.

How to check if head gasket is leaking in Excursion?

You don’t have to go to a workshop to check for a leaking head gasket in your Excursion. There are test kits available in the market in which you just have to insert a tube filled with colored liquid in the radiator (in place of the radiator cap), and then start the engine. If the liquid changes color, then there is a leak in head gasket.

Switch on air recirculation mode

When the outside temperature drops too low, the heating performance may be reduced in Excursion if the air conditioning system is set to outside air. To improve heating efficiency, it is recommended to switch on air recirculation mode. Don’t worry, there is no risk of suffocation, as the air recirculation mode still allows up to approximately 10 percent of the air coming from the air vents to be fresh air from the outside.

There are many reasons why the heater in your Ford Excursion is not working properly. When looking for the reason, you should start with the most obvious causes: low coolant level or air in the cooling system, and clogged heater core.

In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the heating issue for you.

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04 Excursion Heater hose replacement on passenger side

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I have an 04 excursion and found a leak on the plastic Y that connects the hoses to the heater core of the front and rear heater. This part also contains the heater control valve that has the vacuum tube plugged into it. It also is attached to the firewall by a zip-tie. There are 3 ends to this hose. 1 end plugs into the metal tube on above the front of the valve cover on the passenger side. Another end plugs into the heater core on the passenger side. (The heater core is located on the passenger side, trying to clarify which side of the heater core). The final (longest) and hidden connection drops down into the abyss. I am pretty sure this connects to the rear heater core. I am not quite sure how to access the connection to the rear heater core for removal. Do I jack the vehicle up and remove the passenger side tire, then remove the covering inside the wheel well to access? Or do I attempt to reach up from underneath the vehicle? I don't think it is feasible to reach up since I wouldn't be able to get hold of it that way. Just wondering if anyone has some insight  

Bumping up to see if anyone knows. Thanks  

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2000 Ford Excursion Heater Cores

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Replacement Heater Core fits 2000-2002 Ford Excursion

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• 【❗Fitment Details❗:】Heater Core Core Dimensions: 7.19 x 7.25 x 1.63 in. Core size | Inlet Size: 0.63 in. | Outlet Size: 0.63 in. | Replaces OE Number: H2MZ18476L, F81Z18476AA | Replaces Partslink Number: FO3128101 | Replaces DPI Number: 9929
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Core Dimensions: 7.19 x 7.25 x 1.63 in. Core size Inlet Size: 0.63 in. Outlet Size: 0.63 in. Replaces OE Number: H2MZ18476L, F81Z18476AA Replaces Partslink Number: FO3128101 Replaces DPI Number: 9929

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2000 Expedition Heater Core Bad

• Thread starter One Mean Green
• Start date Aug 24, 2012

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• Aug 24, 2012

One Mean Green

Full access members.

Just about every vehicle is difficult to do a heater core although some are easier than others depending on your mechanical ability. They are all usually in the dash which usually requires it being removed, some are accessible through the glove compartment. You cant just say you won't own another Ford because of it- it's not the trucks fault. It can be done at home depending on the tools you have and abilities. I would check with a local independent garage for price although any decent reputable place is gonna charge decent money for their labor.  

Here is a decent video link, and the guys speaks fluent english. It's on an F150 but they are essentially the same vehicle as far as the heater core is concerned. You would need to decided if yuour capabilities are up to removing the whole dash F150 Heater Core part 1 - YouTube F150 Heater Core part 2 - YouTube F150 Heater Core part 3 - YouTube I actually just watched all 3 parts and it is an excellant video  

Thanks for posting those links, IDK why I didn't think about the F150? Well, after watching them I know I would be in over my head even if I weren't disabled. IDK what to do the trucks a great ride and its paid for and I don't need another car payment. I do have most of the tools but I don't have a good place to work on it. I wonder how much coolant will leak out of the heater core if the a/c and heat are not being used long term? is there some sort of valve that shuts down the coolant flow when its not in use? I may elect to do with out the a/c and heat and do nothing at least for the short term. My anger at Ford is due to the fact that they and others design vehicles that compel the vehicle owner to have repair work done at the dealer or other garage. I was formerly in building maintenance and we once had some architectural interns spend 2 weeks with our staff and they followed us around during our workdays. I made it a point to show them that just because you can design something doesn't mean you should. Examples of poor design included a plumbing chase between 2 restrooms that were 2 ft wide and full of pipes you literally had to crawl over to work on. Lights 30ft up in the air over a lobby that to change lamps required the usage of scaffolding. After their time with us hopefully some of them learned what you design has to be maintainable. Thats my rant for the day.  

• Aug 26, 2012

You can do without heat but you can't do without defrost  

• Aug 27, 2012

The heater core stays pressurized even with the heater off. Coolant will still leak out of it while the engine is running. I had most of the dash out of my F-150 trying to access the evaporator core, but when I got to the point of actually removing the large plastic part of the dash, I couldn't get it loose. I put it all back together. The evaporator cleaning wasn't _that_ important IMO.  

• Jul 9, 2013

I have the same problem with my heater core leaking in my 2000 model Expedition. I live in Florida so I am simply going to bypass the heater core altogether. This can be done easily under the hood. There are two hoses going through the firewall to the heater core. Simply undo the hose quick connects, insert the correct size hose splice and clamps and the problem is solved. Living in Florida for 2 years and have never turned the heat on, so this is a good quick and easy option for me. Tennessee has good winters, so you may not be able to do without, especially defrost.  

• Jul 15, 2013

I just did my heater core in my 98 eddy i have bin a mechanic for 20 years 15 of which were at a ford dealer and it still took me two full days not a job for the novice  

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Thursday, August 22, 2019

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Group regulars Olympiacos look set for their 19th UEFA Champions League campaign as they hold a 4-0 first-leg lead.

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Olympiacos are within touching distance of their 19th participation in the UEFA Champions League group stage as they visit European Cup debutants Krasnodar holding a 4-0 first-leg lead.

• The game in Piraeus on 21 August, the teams' first ever meeting, was initially a tight affair with only a 30th-minute strike from Olympiacos's Miguel Ángel Guerrero separating the teams heading into the closing stages. However, three goals in the final 12 minutes from substitute Lazar Randjelović (2) and Daniel Podence put the Greek side in firm control of the tie.

Form guide Krasnodar • This is only Krasnodar's sixth season in UEFA competition – they have featured every year since making their debut in the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League. In 2018/19 they finished second in their UEFA Europa League group, then beat Bayer Leverkusen on away goals (0-0 h, 1-1 a) in the round of 32 before a dramatic late defeat against Valencia in the last 16 (1-2 a, 1-1 h).

• Third in the Russian Premier League in 2018/19, Krasnodar's first ever European Cup match ended in a 1-0 home defeat by Porto in the third qualifying round first leg, only for them to then turn round the tie with a remarkable 3-2 victory in Portugal in which they led 3-0 at half-time

• The first leg of this tie equalled Krasnodar's biggest margin of defeat in UEFA competition – a 5-1 defeat at Wolfsburg in the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League group stage. They have scored four or more goals in four of their 27 European home matches – and only twice won by a margin that would be enough to keep them in this tie.

• Krasnodar have won three of their four UEFA Europa League play-off ties, although they did lose the most recent, on away goals against Crvena zvezda in 2017/18 (3-2 h, 1-2 a). They have won every home leg of their four previous European play-off ties, scoring 15 goals in the process.

• The Russian club's sole previous competitive home game against a Greek club was a 2-1 defeat of PAOK in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League group stage, Ari scoring the first goal.

• Krasnodar have won only one of four UEFA ties in which they lost the away first leg, losing the last three. They beat Real Sociedad in the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League play-offs (0-1 a, 3-0 h) – their third tie in their debut European campaign.

• Krasnodar have never been involved in a penalty shoot-out in UEFA competition.

Olympiacos • The Greek side last took part in the group stage in 2017/18, when they finished bottom of a section including Barcelona, Juventus and Sporting CP having collected only one point from their six fixtures.

• Olympiacos had beaten Croatian side Rijeka in that season's play-offs (2-1 h, 1-0 a) to make it two wins from two at that stage of the UEFA Champions League, having also knocked out Sheriff of Moldova in 2009/10 (2-0 a, 1-0 h). They have therefore now won all five play-off matches in the competition.

• In 2018/19 Olympiacos went from the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round to the round of 32 thanks to a memorable matchday six defeat of AC Milan in Piraeus. They were unable to get past Dynamo Kyiv in the first knockout round, however, going out 3-2 on aggregate (2-2 h, 0-1 a).

• Second in the 2018/19 Greek Super League behind PAOK, Pedro Martins' side are unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in this season's UEFA Champions League, ousting Viktoria Plzeň in the second qualifying round (0-0 a, 4-0 h) and İstanbul Başakşehir in the third qualifying round (1-0 a, 2-0 h) before their 4-0 first-leg win against Krasnodar.

• Olympiacos are a run of seven away matches undefeated in the qualifying phase of UEFA competition (W5 D2), their last defeat coming at Hapoel Beer-Sheva (0-1) in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Home and away they are unbeaten in 15 European qualifying fixtures (W12 D3) since that loss in Israel.

• Olympiacos have won four of their five UEFA matches against Russian clubs, including both in Russia – most recently a 1-0 victory at Rubin in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg (2-0 aggregate).

• Erythrolefki have won the home first leg 18 times in UEFA competition and prevailed in 13 of those ties, including the last three; they triumphed on the only previous occasion that they won 4-0 in the first instalment, against Luzern in last season's UEFA Europa League third qualifying round (3-1 a). The largest advantage they have let slip is two goals, against Dinamo Zagreb in the 1977/78 UEFA Cup first round (3-1 h, 1-5 a) and Manchester United in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League round of 16 (2-0 h, 0-3 a).

• Olympiacos have yet to feature in a UEFA penalty shoot-out.

Links and trivia • Olympiacos midfielder Mathieu Valbuena played in Russia for Dinamo Moskva from 2014 to 2015, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-0 away win at Krasnodar on 31 August 2014.

• Krasnodar's Marcus Berg was a Panathinaikos player between 2013 and 2017, scoring three goals in five league matches against Olympiacos. He scored one and set up another in a 3-0 Panathinaikos win in Piraeus in March 2014, their joint biggest away win in derby matches against Olympiacos since the professional league was inaugurated in 1979.

• Krasnodar's Rémy Cabella and Valbuena were France team-mates four times in 2014.