steam coming from heat vents
 

ok all! i have a problem with my car,if anyone can help i would be really happy! :) i have a'95 FordEscort. yesterday it started acting weird. there is a strange bubbling noise coming out of the heat vents and white steam/smoke comes out and it smellsweird too if the heat isn't on full bore, the temp gauge buries into the red. ive refilled the antifreeze, so i dont think thats the problem. does anyone have any ideas? Please help!

RE: steam coming from heat vents
 

Sounds like your heater core has sprung a leak. If your engine is getting so hot that you have to run the heater to help remove the excess heat, you need to get your cooling system checked and repaired. The excessive heat and pressure probably pushed your 12 year old heater core over the edge.

RE: steam coming from heat vents
 

i hope thats all it is, i love this car! :) someone suggested a cracked head gasket, does that sound at all like what could be the problem to you? if it adds anything, today its running a lot better, no steam, not overheating near as bad. its also a lot cooler today then the past two days, which i suppose lends to the heater core being the prob. huh?

RE: steam coming from heat vents
 

A bad head gasket normally shows itself by steaming out of your overflow tank for the radiator. I would have the cooling system checked for proper operation. Also, to check for a bad head gasket, you can have a pressure test performed to verify the heah gasket senario. I would also have a complete cooling system flush since the vehicle is 12 years old. Don't let anybody put reprocessed antifreeze in your engine. Use nothing but NEW. It's far better and the little extra spent will be well worth it.