Heater doesn't get hot

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

It's $69 for a coolant flush.

If I did it myself, here's how it would break down

Coolant $13

Super Flush $5

Radiator Cleaner $5

Flush and Fill Kit $10

So about $33.

I wonder if paying someone will do a $30 better job.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

You have one... Or you wouldn't have a way of controlling the temperature of the air coming out of the vents...

I am not sure if it's electronic, I think it is a manual cable changing a blend door.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

It's $69 for a coolant flush.
If I did it myself, here's how it would break down

Coolant $13

Super Flush $5

Radiator Cleaner $5

Flush and Fill Kit $10

So about $33.

I wonder if paying someone will do a $30 better job.

Depends on how confident and how much time you have.

Some vehicles can be a pain in the *** if you have to bleed the lines...

I am not sure if it's electronic, I think it is a manual cable changing a blend door.

It is probably electronic.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

on my car, it has auto climate control. i set it to a temp and it gets there and shuts off (just like your house) there's a sensor on a heater line that will not allow the heater to blow until the water is heated enough. maybe your's has a similar setup...

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

on my car, it has auto climate control. i set it to a temp and it gets there and shuts off (just like your house) there's a sensor on a heater line that will not allow the heater to blow until the water is heated enough. maybe your's has a similar setup...

I have a knob I turn. My park avenue was as you described and the part that opens the blend door failed.

 

[J31Rob 5,000+ posts]

...then it's no longer a heater.

 

[_JaY_ 10+ year member]

i wish my s- had a climate control of, so hot yr balls got bigger....lol i hate WI FTW, -2 :S

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

i wish my s- had a climate control of, so hot yr balls got bigger....lol i hate WI FTW, -2 :S

You have an S-10 also?

 

[_JaY_ 10+ year member]

You have an S-10 also?

pm has been sent.

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

Why didn't you ask this on s10 forum? =) You said that the engine gets up to normal operating temp, which it should show on your temp gauge. That would indicate that the thermostat it probably working correctly. However when you pull out the stat you may notice it is stuck open. So changing it might help. I would also feel the hoses going to the heater core when the truck is hot. This can determine if the core is clogged or not. If one hose is hot and the other is not (the outlet) then it's probably clogged. A coolant flush may resolve the problem. If it's the heater core, start searching on s10forum on how to replace it. It wouldn't be a cheap repair to have done as it's time consuming.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Why didn't you ask this on s10 forum? =) You said that the engine gets up to normal operating temp, which it should show on your temp gauge. That would indicate that the thermostat it probably working correctly. However when you pull out the stat you may notice it is stuck open. So changing it might help. I would also feel the hoses going to the heater core when the truck is hot. This can determine if the core is clogged or not. If one hose is hot and the other is not (the outlet) then it's probably clogged. A coolant flush may resolve the problem. If it's the heater core, start searching on s10forum on how to replace it. It wouldn't be a cheap repair to have done as it's time consuming.

Yeah, I am a member, but when I log it, my firewall at work blocks me posting and searching. That is why I opted for the OEM because I found a thread that indicated cheapos have an issue with air bubbles.

Due to daylight issues, I won't be able to check the hoses until Saturday. However, will the thermostat being open be noticable?

What I would do if it is indeed the heater core is cut the hoses and use a piece of heater hose to circumvent the heater until it is warm enough outside to complete the project. If it is clogged, I'd hate to see it bust on me in winter.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

Usually when a thermostat fails it fails open (good ones at least). You should be able to see what I mean. If you do just bypass the heater core for the time being you will need like a splicer/reducer type thing. Since the hoses are different sizes it will let you join the 2. Shouldn't be too hard to find since lots of people do that when the heater core fails. They sure can be a pain to change. Took me a while to do the one in my thunderbird. First gen s10's is hella easy though

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Is the larger hose the inlet or the outlet?

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

Not too sure. One usually goes from the water pump to the heater core, and one from the intake to heater core. I think (not sure) the one from the engine to the core should be the hot.

 

[bump - N - ugly 10+ year member]

Have you checked the linkage that opens the flap/ valve that allows the coolant to ciculate through the heater core? Get someone to move the heat/cool back and forth and see if the flap opens and shuts. Some are mechanical - a small caable, some work off a vacuum. Could be a bad cable or vaccuum leak. Vacuum only works with car running!! I had this happen and the problem was under the dash were the vacuum lines come out of the controls for hot/cold. Mine was stuck wide open on Hot I live in Texas and that sucks in the summer!!!