Heater core

liftedtrucks4me · 12-11-2008, 11:31 AM

I found coolant on my passenger side floor mat yesterday. Best suggestion on what it is?

It's a 1986 Ford F150 with a 351 Windsor and 4 bbl

eponator · 12-11-2008, 12:38 PM

My guess is the same as yours - Heater core. I've heard about this being a problem with some Ford trucks. I'm pretty sure its easy to access, if I recall correctly, it sits just behind the glove box. Drop that out and you should be able to get at it just fine.

I've heard some people remove the entire dash to get to it but I don't believe this is required in your case. The clamps for the hoses are where the trouble is and removing those can be time consuming. I've never had the pleasure of enduring this myself but the information comes from pretty reliable sources.

Most of my knowledge is based off the superduty trucks though so I'm not sure how much of it applies to your F150 but one thing I am certain of is that this problem is caused by your heater core... Hope this helps.

leolkfrm · 12-11-2008, 06:38 PM

I concurr but pressurize the system with a system checker and make sure it is not a heater hose dripping inside the firewall

bradrhale · 12-11-2008, 07:12 PM

the core should stick out of the firewall and be attached to the hoses out there in the engine compartment. gain access to the core and pressurize the system watching for pinholes.

liftedtrucks4me · 12-11-2008, 09:27 PM

Ok, i hope to get to it sunday, another freeze plug blew out on it and my mechanic is fixing that and hopefully i get it tomorrow and then spend all sunday working on her. I should have new pics of it up, in the middle of a custom made flatbed.

bradrhale · 12-12-2008, 06:46 AM

another freeze plug?? man, that is not a good sign. did he mention why it is blowing them out??

leolkfrm · 12-12-2008, 08:41 AM

I agree with Brad, sounds like pressure building in the system, Popping the weakest links. Ask the mechanic to check it for a poss bad cap or head gasket while it is there

batty1214 · 12-14-2008, 06:38 PM

I had to replace one in my dad's 1985 f 350 and we accessed it in the engine compartment...... but my 78 ford was stuffed WAY underneath the dashboard...... almost not worth getting to.

liftedtrucks4me · 12-14-2008, 09:30 PM

well i got her back from the mechanics, he said that the freeze plug was probably not set in properly so he just replaced it. he said it all looked good from there so hopefully theres no more problems. if there are more freeze plug problems then i guess i will have to look into upgrading the coolings system alot.

I have not looked at the heater core yet but i will this week.

leolkfrm · 12-15-2008, 07:09 AM

Did he check it for excessive pressure build up in the cooling system?

12-11-2008, 11:31 AM	#1
liftedtrucks4me Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 143	Heater core I found coolant on my passenger side floor mat yesterday. Best suggestion on what it is? It's a 1986 Ford F150 with a 351 Windsor and 4 bbl

12-11-2008, 06:38 PM	#3
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	I concurr but pressurize the system with a system checker and make sure it is not a heater hose dripping inside the firewall __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

12-12-2008, 08:41 AM	#7
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	I agree with Brad, sounds like pressure building in the system, Popping the weakest links. Ask the mechanic to check it for a poss bad cap or head gasket while it is there __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

12-15-2008, 07:09 AM	#10
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	Did he check it for excessive pressure build up in the cooling system? __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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12-11-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
eponator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Covina, Ca Posts: 363	My guess is the same as yours - Heater core. I've heard about this being a problem with some Ford trucks. I'm pretty sure its easy to access, if I recall correctly, it sits just behind the glove box. Drop that out and you should be able to get at it just fine. I've heard some people remove the entire dash to get to it but I don't believe this is required in your case. The clamps for the hoses are where the trouble is and removing those can be time consuming. I've never had the pleasure of enduring this myself but the information comes from pretty reliable sources. Most of my knowledge is based off the superduty trucks though so I'm not sure how much of it applies to your F150 but one thing I am certain of is that this problem is caused by your heater core... Hope this helps.

12-11-2008, 07:12 PM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,021	the core should stick out of the firewall and be attached to the hoses out there in the engine compartment. gain access to the core and pressurize the system watching for pinholes.

12-11-2008, 09:27 PM	#5
liftedtrucks4me Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 143	Ok, i hope to get to it sunday, another freeze plug blew out on it and my mechanic is fixing that and hopefully i get it tomorrow and then spend all sunday working on her. I should have new pics of it up, in the middle of a custom made flatbed.

12-12-2008, 06:46 AM	#6
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,021	another freeze plug?? man, that is not a good sign. did he mention why it is blowing them out??

12-14-2008, 06:38 PM	#8
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,135	I had to replace one in my dad's 1985 f 350 and we accessed it in the engine compartment...... but my 78 ford was stuffed WAY underneath the dashboard...... almost not worth getting to.

12-14-2008, 09:30 PM	#9
liftedtrucks4me Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 143	well i got her back from the mechanics, he said that the freeze plug was probably not set in properly so he just replaced it. he said it all looked good from there so hopefully theres no more problems. if there are more freeze plug problems then i guess i will have to look into upgrading the coolings system alot. I have not looked at the heater core yet but i will this week.

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