Automatic Stalling & Heater Smoking

NFGgirl · #1 03-07-2016, 12:34 PM

Ok so my truck is an automatic and it's stalled about 3 or 4 times over the last month. I had this issue about 3 years ago but haven't had it again until recently. Before I could get it diagnosed last time, it stopped stalling. It typically only stalls if I feather the gas but today it stalled while accelerating through a turn.

Also, this morning my heat/defroster started smoking. I checked coolant and it was brown and smelled exactly like the smoke did (burnt tuna sandwich). A mechanic friend said this is most likely the heater core.

Could these two issues be linked? If not, what could be causing the stalling?

GSF1200S · #2 03-07-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NFGgirl

Ok so my truck is an automatic and it's stalled about 3 or 4 times over the last month. I had this issue about 3 years ago but haven't had it again until recently. Before I could get it diagnosed last time, it stopped stalling. It typically only stalls if I feather the gas but today it stalled while accelerating through a turn.

Also, this morning my heat/defroster started smoking. I checked coolant and it was brown and smelled exactly like the smoke did (burnt tuna sandwich). A mechanic friend said this is most likely the heater core.

Could these two issues be linked? If not, what could be causing the stalling?

I doubt the issue is related unless the engine is overheating? Which engine do you have? Should either be a 3.0 vulcan or a 4.0.

The heater core is cheap, but the labor involved to change it is not. I recommend doing this yourself if you have tools, because they will charge an arm and leg to replace it. If you cant do the work yourself, and you dont have the hundreds of dollars to have it fixed, you can bypass the heater core in the engine compartment. Truck will run fine, but it wont have a heater...

Also, brown coolant? Being that its an 02, it should be specced with green motorcraft coolant. So, how did it get brown? Have you ever done maintenance on the cooling system i.e. had it flushed, etc? If not, you might be able to just flush the system and have new coolant put in. If this has happened suddenly, you need to do a leak down test, compression check, or coolant system pressure test. The latter two testers you can rent from a parts store at no cost to you and do using some basic tools and youtube videos. You need to do this because you might have a blown head gasket, cracked head, or cracked block (not likely).

In terms of the stalling- if it stalls at idle or just off idle, Id look at the Idle Air Control valve (IAC). If it stalls under throttle (especially in a turn), id be thinking a big vacuum leak or low fuel pressure. You'll need to give us more details on exactly when it stalls i.e. at what rpm, what throttle position, what gear is it in, etc.

sheltonfilms · #3 03-08-2016, 08:11 PM

Is the coolant rusty? Like poop water? That usually means that someone put tap water when mixing coolant. Only used distiller water btw.

As far as heater core replacement. 6 hour job but can be done in about 1.5 to 2 if you know what you are doing. There are a lot of steps you can skip.

As far as stalling it sounds like a fuel filter being clogged. If you can't remember the last time it's been replaced then it's probably a good idea to go ahead and change it.

MNRANGER2002 · #4 03-08-2016, 08:18 PM

^ what these guys said. sounds like the truck needs a little tlc (maintenance)

Ordinary Biker · #5 03-08-2016, 08:23 PM

Replacing the heater core is all labor. If you do it yourself, get a motorcraft one. As for tap water, I have been running tap water in my radiators for over 30 years. Never had any corrosion in any of them. My Mustang has been running it for 34 years, looks brand new inside the radiator. Old wives tale about the distilled.

sheltonfilms · #6 03-08-2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ordinary Biker

Replacing the heater core is all labor. If you do it yourself, get a motorcraft one. As for tap water, I have been running tap water in my radiators for over 30 years. Never had any corrosion in any of them. My Mustang has been running it for 34 years, looks brand new inside the radiator. Old wives tale about the distilled.

Not an old wives tale. I've personally have seen tap water corrode a system. Maybe you live in an area with different mineral content or maybe you change your coolant mix so often the corrosion inhibitors don't let the tap water react.

Put some Flint, MI water in it and see what it does over a few months.

Ordinary Biker · #7 03-08-2016, 08:46 PM

I don't really think our water is much better than anyone else's, contrary to what Coors may want you to think. Places like Flint are outliers, not statistically valid. Could be we are normal and the corrosion you have seen came from some particularly bad water. But yes, I also don't let the maintenance on my vehicles go.