My wife comes home saying the van is running very hot and she has no heat. So what I've done so far is replace the thermostat. (didn't help) saw the water pump belt was snapped, so I replaced it (didn't help). new belt shredded as I discovered the water pump had seized. So I replaced the water pump and belt (didn't help) I have 2+ gallons of antifreeze/water that I have drained from the rad. yet I have only filled about 1/2 gallon +- of new stuff and it still wont heat up the fill tank still isn't showing as low. What gives? I'm really frustrated and would appreciate any advice.

 

One more thing I'd like to add, or ask, well both really..... anyway.

I didn't have a haynes manual for the MPV but I had one for my 03 Ford escape, Same 3.0 engines. so no big deal really. I was just wondering about the thermostat though. The instruction sheet that came with it from Auto Zone said it is "indexed" and needs to be put in the correct position. What does "indexed' mean? Also, when I took my old therm. out, the jiggle valve was in the 3 O'clock position. but the book said to make sure the jiggle valve was in the 12 O'clock position. I figured I'd put it back in at 3 because that's the way it was before. Any suggestions? My fear is that I'm gonna have to take out the radiator and give it a reverse flush. But I'm hoping that I don't have to.

 

More than likely you have a huge airlock.
Does it have a rear heater core/heater controls in the rear?
Jack the front of the vehicle up as high ad you can.
Fill it up with the correct coolant & correct dilution, keep it running ( jacked up )until the fans come on & the heater runs hot.
Make sure all heater controls are on the hot setting aswell.

 

Yes it does, I will definitely give that a try.

 

If that doesn't work it could be a clogged heater core.
Does that vehicle have a cabin air filter? That could be clogged as well.

 

Well, unfortunately, that didn't work. I just looked at a quick walkthrough on replacing a heater core and I do believe it involves a bit more than I am wanting to do right now. may have to take it to our mechanic. thanks guys for all the suggestions.

 

no need to replace the heater core yet. is the blower fan working? check for blown fuses first.

 

Depending on the year of the vehicle, it may not have heater tap, the coolant will continuously flow thru the heater core/cores ( front & rear ).
Its hard ( as a Mazda Tech ) to sit behind a computer and provide help/advice without seeing the vehicle.

If it doesn't bleed up with the front of the vehicle jacked up as high as you can get it, you may need to remove smaller water hoses to help bleed the air out.

 

04 MPV ES, I have a line to the rear heat that is leaking right near spare tire. When fluid gets low the heat doesn't work. I refill w/ more antifreeze and that puts a band-aid on the $$$ problem that I have.