Heater Core
WARNING: Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, odorless and dangerous. If it is necessary
to operate the engine with the vehicle in a closed area such as a garage, always use an exhaust
collector to vent the exhaust gases outside the closed area. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in personal injury.
1. NOTE: Testing of returned heater cores reveals that a large percentage of heater cores are
good and did not require installation of a new heater core. If a heater core leak is suspected, the
heater core must be tested by following the Plugged Heater Core Component Test before the
Heater Core Pressure Test. Carry out a system inspection by checking the heater system
thoroughly as follows:
Inspect for evidence of coolant leakage at the heater water hose to heater core attachments. A
coolant leak in the heater water hose could follow the heater core tube to the heater core and
appear as a leak in the heater core.
CAUTION: Spring- type clamps are installed as original equipment. Installation and
overtightening of non- specification clamps can cause leakage at the heater water hose
connection and damage the heater core.
2. Check the integrity of the heater water hose clamps.
Heater Core— Plugged
WARNING: The heater core inlet hose will become too hot to handle if the system is
working correctly.
1. Check to see that the engine coolant is at the correct level.
2. Start the engine and turn on the heater.
3. When the engine coolant reaches operating temperature, feel the heater core outlet hose to see if it is hot.
If it is not hot:
zthe heater core may have an air pocket.
z the heater core may be plugged.
z the thermostat is not working correctly.
Heater Core— Pressure Test
Use the radiator/heater core pressure tester to carry out the pressure test. 1. NOTE: Due to space limitations, a bench test may be necessary for pressure testing.
Drain the coolant from the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Section 303 - 03A
or
Section 303 - 03B .
2. Disconnect the heater water hoses from the heater core. For additional information, refer to Klj . 37 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Air Conditioning (A/C) System Check —
Retail Procedure
NOTE: This Retail Procedure is not eligible for claiming on Ford paid repairs (warranty and ESP).
NOTE: The engine should be run at idle for 10 minutes with the air conditioning on and set to MAX A/C
before carrying out this retail procedure.
NOTE: Read and follow all of the Warnings, Cautions and Notes at the beginning of this section before
continuing.
1. Visual inspection
Open the hood and visually inspect the heating and air conditioning systems for the following:
zCoolant reservoir for correct coolant level
z Heater hoses for deterioration or loose connections
z Radiator and condenser for debris or damaged fins restricting airflow, loose mounting or
connections
z Accessory drive belt(s) and cooling fan(s) for wear or physical damage
z Refrigerant lines and connections for physical damage or loose connections
z Compressor for physical damage or loose connections
z Suction accumulator/drier for physical damage or loose connections
z Wiring and connectors for excessive wear, loose or damaged connections, or incorrect
routing
2. A/C refrigerant analysis
zCarry out air conditioning refrigerant analysis. For additional information, refer to
Refrigerant Identification Testing in this section.
z If the refrigerant fails the analysis, discontinue diagnosis and make recommendations for
repairs.
z If the refrigerant passes the analysis, carry out the air conditioning system check.
3. Air conditioning system check
zConnect manifold gauge set or charging station with gauges to refrigerant system.
z With the vehicle in park, parking brake set, thermometer installed in center panel vent,
and air conditioning system on and set to MAX A/C, start the engine.
z Record air refrigerant system pressures while running the engine at 1,500 rpm and allow
engine to return to idle.
z Operate the blower motor in all control positions and check for correct blower speed
changes.
z With the blower motor on HI, operate air discharge mode selector in all positions and
check for correct airflow in each position.
z Operate the temperature blend selector in all positions and check for correct change in
discharge temperature. Check the air discharge temperature with the selector in the
coolest position and the air conditioning on and set to MAX A/C to determine if the air
discharge temperature is acceptable for the current ambient air temperature.
z Carry out the EATC self- test (if applicable).
If the refrigerant system pressures were low, carry out the refrigerant system leak test.
SECTION 412-
00: Climate Control System - General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Heater Hose Coupling
Disconnect
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install a new bushing, spacer or O- rings in the heater hose
coupling; damage to the heater hose coupling can result. If the heater hose coupling is the
cause of a coolant leak, the affected heater hose must be replaced as an assembly.
1. WARNING: The engine must be off, fully cool and the cooling system fully
depressurized before attempting to disconnect any heater water hoses. Failure to comply
with this warning can result in serious injury or burns from hot liquid escaping out of the
engine cooling system.
Depressurize the engine cooling system.
2. Push the heater hose toward the tube to fully expose the locking tabs.
3. NOTE: When compressing the white coupling retainer with the special tool, the special tool
must be perpendicular to and on the highest point of the coupling.
NOTE: If the heater hose coupling is accessible, the retainer tabs can be compressed by hand
to disconnect the heater hose.
Push the special tool over the coupling retainer windows to compress the retainer locking tabs.
SECTION 412-
00: Climate Control System - General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Remover, Heater Hose Inlet
Tube
412-
042 (T85T-18539- AH) Disconnect Tool, Heater Hose
412-
127
Material Item Specification
MERPOL®
—
ESE-
M99B144- B Klj . 1 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Refrigerant System Tests
1. Connect the R- 134a Manifold Gauge Set. For additional information, refer to Manifold Gauge Set Connection in this section.
2. Adjust the climate controls for maximum cooling. zStart the engine.
z Select MAX A/C operation.
z Set the blower motor speed to maximum.
3. Stabilize the in- vehicle temperature at 21- 27°C (70-80°F).
4. NOTE: When the ambient temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F), do not run the engine above
normal idle speed.
Maintain the engine speed at 1,500 rpm.
5. Determine the compressor discharge (high) pressure. 1. Record the ambient temperature.
2. Record the discharge (high) pressure.
3.NOTE: In ambient temperatures between 38- 43°C (100-110°F), the system performance
pressures will be the same as those for ambient temperatures shown on the chart in the
32- 38°C (90- 100°F) range.
The system performance is acceptable when the pressure reading falls between the
upper and lower limits shown.
SECTION 412-
00: Climate Control System - General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
R-
134a Manifold Gauge Set
176- R032A or equivalent Klj . 1 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Electronic Leak Detection
CAUTION: Good ventilation is necessary in the area where electronic A/C leak testing is to
be carried out. If the surrounding air is contaminated with refrigerant gas, the leak detector will
indicate this gas all the time. Odors from other chemicals such as anti- freeze, diesel fuel, disc
brake cleaner, or other cleaning solvents can cause the same problem. A fan, even in a well-
ventilated area, is very helpful in removing small traces of contamination from the air that
might affect the leak detector.
1. NOTE: The system pressure should be between 413- 551 kPa (60-80 psi) at 24°C (75°F) with
the engine off.
Leak test the refrigerant system using the Refrigerant Leak Detector. Follow the instructions
included with the leak detector for handling and operation techniques.
2. If a leak is found, discharge and recover the refrigerant. For additional information, refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging in this section.
z Repair the system.
z Test the system for normal operation.
SECTION 412-
00: Climate Control System - General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
H10PM Refrigerant Leak
Detector With Battery
216-
00001 or equivalent Klj . 1 ba
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Connect an R-
134a A/C service center to the low- and high-pressure service gauge port valves.
3. Recover the refrigerant from the system following the operating instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer.
4. Once the service center has recovered the vehicle A/C system refrigerant, close the service center inlet valve (if equipped). Then switch off the power supply.
5. Allow the vehicle A/C system to remain closed for about two minutes. Observe the system vacuum level as shown on the gauge. If the vacuum does not decrease, disconnect the
refrigerant center hose(s).
6. If the system vacuum does decrease, repeat Steps 2 through 5 until the vacuum level remains stable for two minutes.
7. Carry out the required repairs.
Refrigerant System Evacuation
NOTE: Ford Motor Company recommends use of an A/C service center to carry out recovery,
evacuation, and charging of the refrigerant system. If an A/C service center is not available, refrigerant
system recovery, evacuation, and charging may be accomplished using a separate recovery station,
vacuum pump, charging cylinder, and manifold gauge set.
1. Connect an R- 134a service center to the low- and high-pressure service gauge port valves.
2. Evacuate the system until the low- pressure gauge reads at least 99.4 kPa (29.5 in- Hg) of
vacuum and as close to 101.1 kPa (30 in- Hg) as possible. Continue to operate the vacuum
pump for a minimum of 45 minutes.
3. Turn off the vacuum pump. Observe the low- pressure gauge for five minutes to make sure that
the system vacuum is held. If vacuum is not held for five minutes, leak test the system, service
the leak, and evacuate the system again.
Refrigerant System Charging
NOTE: Ford Motor Company recommends use of an A/C service center to carry out recovery,
evacuation, and charging of the refrigerant system. If an A/C service center is not available, refrigerant
system recovery, evacuation, and charging may be accomplished using a separate recovery station,
vacuum pump, charging cylinder, and manifold gauge set.
1. Correctly oil match the system to verify that the correct amount of refrigerant oil is present in the system. For additional information, refer to Refrigerant Oil Adding in this section.
2. Charge the system with the specified amounts of refrigerant oil and refrigerant.
3. When no more refrigerant is being drawn into the system, start the engine and select MAX A/C operation. Adjust the blower motor speed to the maximum and allow the remaining refrigerant to
be drawn into the system. Continue to add refrigerant into the system until the specified weight
of R- 134a has been added. Close the charging cylinder valve and allow the system to pull any
remaining refrigerant from the hose. When the low- pressure drops to approximately 207 kPa
(30 psi), close the charging hose valve. Klj . 2 ba
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6. Correctly oil match the system. For additional information, refer to
Refrigerant Oil Adding in this
section.
7. Evacuate and charge the system. For additional information, refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging in this section.
8. Check all refrigerant system hoses, lines and the position of the newly installed filters to be sure they do not interfere with other engine compartment components. If necessary, use tie straps to
make adjustments.
9. Provide adequate airflow to the front of the vehicle (with a fan, if necessary). Select MAX A/C operation and set the blower motor speed to maximum. Start the engine and let it idle briefly.
Make sure the A/C system is operating correctly.
10. Gradually bring the engine up to 1,200 rpm by running it at lower rpms for short periods (first at 800 rpm, then at 1,000 rpm). Set the engine at 1,200 rpm and run it for one hour with the A/C
system operating.
11. Stop the engine.
12. Recover the refrigerant from the system. For additional information, refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging in this section.
13. Remove the fittings, flexible hoses and pancake filter from between the and the condenser to evaporator tube.
14. Discard the pancake filter. It can be used one time only.
15. Reconnect the condenser to evaporator tube to the A/C condenser core.
16. Evacuate and charge the system. For additional information, refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging in this section. Klj . 2 ba
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