Heater doesn't get hot

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I drive an 01 S-10 with aprox 100k miles. I drive mostly highway and for some reason, even though the engine warms to where it normally does, the heat never gets very warm. It is only slightly warmer than outside air. Today it was 27* out and super cold. Eventually, my body heat warms the truck up some. Any suggestions on what I can check? I have a sufficient amount of coolant. It doesn't appear to be leaking.

Under the hood is a funny smell of something burning. Not quite what it is though.

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[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

is it a sweet smell? if so it's coolant and you have a leak.

do you hear the fan blowing when you have the heat on?

 

[Pootie 10+ year member]

Actually I have the same problem besides the funny smell except I got a Bmw 328i

 

[PsychoTheRapist 5,000+ posts]

First off, I would change out your thermostat, a simple and very inexpensive fix.. If that doesn't help then I would look to your heater core, as it may be clogged.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

First off, I would change out your thermostat, a simple and very inexpensive fix.. If that doesn't help than I would look to your heater core, as it may be clogged.

good point. is the truck engine temp not getting as hot as it normally would, or any problems overheating? symptoms of a bad thermostat. changed mine and heat was all good

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

is it a sweet smell? if so it's coolant and you have a leak.
do you hear the fan blowing when you have the heat on?

The fan blows. The air isn't hot.

I am unsure of a leak persay, but could it have a small leak that leaks pressure or just a little bit. The smell is of something on the engine cooking...like oil, grease, or something.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

the heater core may be clogged or rusted out....if so its a pretty expensive fix.....

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

First off, I would change out your thermostat, a simple and very inexpensive fix.. If that doesn't help than I would look to your heater core, as it may be clogged.

good point. is the truck engine temp not getting as hot as it normally would, or any problems overheating? symptoms of a bad thermostat. changed mine and heat was all good

The engines temperature is in its normal range.

Would a coolant flush fix the potentially clogged heater core?

 

[_JaY_ 10+ year member]

First off, I would change out your thermostat, a simple and very inexpensive fix.. If that doesn't help than I would look to your heater core, as it may be clogged.

inexpensive for most cars, very few..if your unlucky.. you'll be in trouble... 100$+labor for a .75cent part.. otherwise shouldn't be nothing more then 50$ AT most.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

a coolant flush may help, may hurt. could unclog it if it is clogged, but could also cause any weak points in the heater core to rupture and leak water everywhere under your dash (this is what mine did //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif)

 

[PsychoTheRapist 5,000+ posts]

It would probably be in your best interest to take it to a local shop that gives out free estimates to find out what is wrong. If something small, you can probably fix it yourself on the cheap. Good luck.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

inexpensive for most cars, very few..if your unlucky.. you'll be in trouble... 100$+labor for a .75cent part.. otherwise shouldn't be nothing more then 50$ AT most.

I could change the thermostat myself. I only use GM parts...so a bit more than .75, but I get what you mean.

a coolant flush may help, may hurt. could unclog it if it is clogged, but could also cause any weak points in the heater core to rupture and leak water everywhere under your dash (this is what mine did //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif)

How would the flush cause a rupture? The DIY ones have no increase or unusual pressure to my knowledge. However, if it didn't have enough pressure, it may not remove the clog either.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Refill your heater fluid //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[PsychoTheRapist 5,000+ posts]

It may also add to the clog, creating more hassle in the long run.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

well coolant causes deterioration due to some scientific shi* i am not gonna try to explain so this eventually wears the metal, which could cause a leak. my heater core shat itself while i was riding around one night. all my coolant was in my floor and evaporating out of my vents.

so i'm not saying it will rupture, but it could