2005 Focus no heating

ChrisD. · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:18

I noticed that I was a bit cold this morning, the air coming from the vents was cold. Temperature gauge was in its normal position. About 10 minutes later I notice that there was heat again, which then cycled to cold air. It did this a few times and settled on cold.

Is this likely to be the thermostat itself or the housing? Really want to avoid spending any money on it so if it's something I can fix at home that would be most welcome!

chaparral · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:21

First thing I check is the that the pollen filter is clean..

Howard · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:24

First thing I'd check is that the coolant level is correct..

ChrisD. · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:25

chaparral said:
First thing I check is the that the pollen filter is clean..

Most likely not, I've not had it serviced in over 25k miles. How would the pollen filter affect the temperature of the air?

Howard said:
First thing I'd check is that the coolant level is correct..

I'll check at lunch, the coolant system was flushed a few months ago after a split pipe.

Jamesyboyjim · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:36

I'd say if the temp gauge on the dash rises correctly as you drive then the thermostat / housing wont be to blame as the engine temp should be rising correctly.

chaparral · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:40

ChrisD. said:
How would the pollen filter affect the temperature of the air?

If the pollen filter is clogged bad enough then air cannot be sucked/blowed through it..

So there may not enough air to flow freely through the heater matrix

ChrisD. · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:46

Okay cheers, I'll check it tonight along with the coolant level.

chaparral · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:50

ChrisD. said:
Okay cheers, I'll check it tonight along with the coolant level.

That was just a guess..

When I owned my RX8 a lot of members on the RX8 forum said there heaters would blow cold air if the pollen filters were badly clogged up..

Don't know if it be the same for a focus..

ChrisD. · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:51

Well I hope it's a quick/cheap fix as I really do not fancy driving my DC5 to work while I get this sorted.

chaparral · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:53

If you can see or find the flow & return heater pipes that lead from the engine to the bulkhead check to see if there both warm/hot

Simon · 16 Jan 2017 at 10:56

Service it and change the thermostat

sovietspybob · 16 Jan 2017 at 11:01

Hot and cold is generally caused by air in the system, i'd check it all over in case of leaks and then check the level and give it a bleed and see how you go

Dogbreath · 16 Jan 2017 at 13:52

chaparral said:
If the pollen filter is clogged bad enough then air cannot be sucked/blowed through it..

So there may not enough air to flow freely through the heater matrix

That won't change the air temperature significantly, just the air flow.

acemastr · 16 Jan 2017 at 14:41

25k miles with no service... ugh

tom_e · 16 Jan 2017 at 14:55

ChrisD. said:
Well I hope it's a quick/cheap fix as I really do not fancy driving my DC5 to work while I get this sorted.

Wear a coat?

Akagi · 16 Jan 2017 at 14:58

ChrisD. said:
I've not had it serviced in over 25k miles.

You monster! :eek:

ChrisD. · 16 Jan 2017 at 15:09

Yeah shoot me. It's booked in at the end of the month, I begrudge paying over £300 to service it when I may only need it for few more weeks. Tyres, brakes etc all good and it's passed the MOT so only needs the oil & belts changing.

tom_e said:
Wear a coat?

I'm not freezing for an hour and a half twice a day.

tom_e · 16 Jan 2017 at 15:12

ChrisD. said:
I'm not freezing for an hour and a half twice a day.

That's why I said wear a coat :confused:

If you really don't want to drive your other car you don't have to.

If bikers can stay warm I'm sure you can manage it.

ChrisD. · 16 Jan 2017 at 15:15

It's my legs that get cold rather than upper body.

Dav4 · 16 Jan 2017 at 15:25

ChrisD. said:
Yeah shoot me. It's booked in at the end of the month, I begrudge paying over £300 to service it when I may only need it for few more weeks. Tyres, brakes etc all good and it's passed the MOT so only needs the oil & belts changing.

How may miles is it on? If your getting rid soon why get the belts done? Just get the filters and oil changed for £100