Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2017 Ford Escape with an EcoBoost 1.6 engine and I am having a heating problem. Over the winter, the heat was getting less warm inside of the cabin. The engine temperature gauge did not changed and if I switched to the digital read out it says 190 once warmed up.
I have had the heater core flushed out and the thermostat replaced and nothing changed. They said they had trouble filling the coolant and getting all the air out while changing the thermostat.
Both heater hoses feel warm too.
Can you help me with a diagnosis?
Thank you, Justin in Owatonna, Minnesot
Dear Justin,
Diagnosing heater issues is a step-by-step process. We start at one end and go until we find the issue. In our shop the first step is to verify enough heat from the engine. This is more than just reading the gauge. You need to use a temperature probe and verify the actual temp of the engine and heater hose coolant. We need to know if it is flowing and hot. We sometimes go as far as removing the heater hoses and installing a clear hose to verify flow and check the temp with a heat probe there.
Once we know the flow and heat is sufficient, we verify the heater door operation. This vehicle has been known for a block issue which can disrupt flow of coolant.
Ask your shop to check the bulletin for this.
Take care,
The Motor Medics
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.