Help please! 06 Ford Focus - heater blows HOT at idle, COLD while driving!

Asked by Reeca Dec 27, 2017 at 04:25 PM about the 2006 Ford Focus

Question type: General

A few days ago, I took my
dad's 2006 Ford Focus 4
hours away on a trip. About
half way here the heater
started only blowing
lukewarm (at best) air even
though the car was obviously
up to operating temperature. I
stopped at a gas station to
warm up and noticed that, at
idle, it blew hot air like it
should. Once I started driving
again.. Coldish air. I got to my
destination and the next
morning I had a friend look at
the car, he discovered that the
coolant was frozen.
(awesome, right?) He then got
the car thoroughly warmed up,
flushed radiator, made sure
there wasn't a clog in the
heater core, and replaced the
coolant with new 50/50
antifreeze.
.... Still. No. Heat.
Both hoses going to the
heater core are warm after
running, though the outlet
hose is noticeably less warm
which I read it's normal as the
coolant cools while running
through the core.
There's no clogs, that he's
found. No leaks. No bad
hoses. No smells. No weird
fog. No heat.
The temperature gauge inside
the car will go from operating
temperature, too just barely
above cold and back and forth  
while driving.
We bought a thermostat but
not sure that's the issue...?
It is very cold outside, with
windchills at about -25°F to
-35°F... Could it just be too
cold, in general?? I've been
told to put cardboard inside
the grill to keep the engine
warmer while driving? Idk...
Help please, I'm stuck four
hours from home, I need to
get back to work!
TIA!

2 Answers

180

My guess is your thermostat has an issue. Its opening and closing. Its a simple fix. Cost is minamal.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Savoy_1800
    Reputation
    3,340
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    2,670
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    2,410
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Civic
252 Great Deals out of 3,594 listings starting at $1,440
Used Ford Fusion
22 Great Deals out of 365 listings starting at $4,249
Used Ford Fiesta
5 Great Deals out of 148 listings starting at $3,495
Used Honda Accord
52 Great Deals out of 879 listings starting at $3,495
Used Ford Mustang
33 Great Deals out of 1,725 listings starting at $7,995
Used Toyota Corolla
142 Great Deals out of 2,180 listings starting at $2,995
Used Ford Escape
124 Great Deals out of 5,138 listings starting at $2,900
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI
18 Great Deals out of 352 listings starting at $5,500
Used Toyota Camry
42 Great Deals out of 873 listings starting at $1,990
Used Mazda MAZDA3
81 Great Deals out of 1,553 listings starting at $1,788
Used Hyundai Elantra
151 Great Deals out of 4,035 listings starting at $1,895
Used Ford F-150
265 Great Deals out of 13,555 listings starting at $1,995
Used Nissan Sentra
55 Great Deals out of 1,781 listings starting at $1,795

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.