heat but no heat...

[broncomat]

happy new year

i recently installed a new heater core

and was actually happy that the heat was working again

but yesterday i went on the highway and the heat wasn't really working anymore

just blows out almost cold air

but back in the city it warmed up again

does anybody know what that means?

i appreciate your help

alexander

 

[Seabronc]

happy new year
i recently installed a new heater core

and was actually happy that the heat was working again

but yesterday i went on the highway and the heat wasn't really working anymore

just blows out almost cold air

but back in the city it warmed up again

does anybody know what that means?

i appreciate your help

alexander

What does your temp gauge show on the highway? How cold is it outside on the average? Maybe it is set up for real hot weather. Mine is and in the Winter, and at highway speeds it doesn't put out as hot as it does when driving slowly. I have mine set up for Summer heat and I am too lazy to keep changing the T-stat and it puts out enough to keep it comfortable while driving on the highway. If it is really cold out and you have something like a 165 degree T-stat then it may not put out much at highway speeds. For real cold areas you may need a 195 degree T-stat and even restrict the air flow to the radiator.

You may have some air in the core . You can clear it by loosening the return hose enough to let the coolant out and run the engine for a short while to make sure that there is no air in the line. I mean short, if the water pump is working well, it will shoot water like a garden hose with the faucet valve wide open. So, watch it.

Good luck,

>-

 

[broncomat]

What does your temp gauge show on the highway? How cold is it outside on the average? Maybe it is set up for real hot weather. Mine is and in the Winter, and at highway speeds it doesn't put out as hot as it does when driving slowly. I have mine set up for Summer heat and I am too lazy to keep changing the T-stat and it puts out enough to keep it comfortable while driving on the highway. If it is really cold out and you have something like a 165 degree T-stat then it may not put out much at highway speeds. For real cold areas you may need a 195 degree T-stat and even restrict the air flow to the radiator.
You may have some air in the core . You can clear it by loosening the return hose enough to let the coolant out and run the engine for a short while to make sure that there is no air in the line. I mean short, if the water pump is working well, it will shoot water like a garden hose with the faucet valve wide open. So, watch it.

Good luck,

>-

thanks /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

i'm in brooklyn ny. so right now it's cold (around 30). do i have to change the t-stat or can i adjust it somewhere??

in the meantime i'll see if there is air in the hose and take a coolant shower... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

thanks

 

[broncomat]

oh

and the gauge is always pretty low

so it always stays left to the N of NORMAL

is that too low?

 

[Krafty]

Hey there, what is your coolant level? after changing the heatercore did you run the engine with the rad cap off for a few minutes ? if not then there could be an air bubble .

also try switching the hoses to the heater core cause I remember on mine that it would only work one way.

it is probably the thermostat, you will have to remove the housing just above the water pump, the thermostat housing is usually directly connected to the upper rad hose. take out the two bolts and remove the housing and the gasket, clean up housing and engine block with a wire brush, get a thermostat rated at 195 f and a new gasket reassemble the housing to the block making sure that the thermostat does not slip out of its pocket in the housing when tightening up the bolts, otherwise you will crack the housing and will have to find a replacement. use some thermostat sealant to a gasket maker if you wish to help but use a MINIMAL amount JUST to keep the thermostat in place. if you use a gasket maker you are more likely to have leaks. if you only use the sealant to hold the thermostat in place then you can begin using the vehicle immediately/ to check for leaks.

 

[Seabronc]

Hey there, what is your coolant level? after changing the heatercore did you run the engine with the rad cap off for a few minutes ? if not then there could be an air bubble .
also try switching the hoses to the heater core cause I remember on mine that it would only work one way.

it is probably the thermostat, you will have to remove the housing just above the water pump, the thermostat housing is usually directly connected to the upper rad hose. take out the two bolts and remove the housing and the gasket, clean up housing and engine block with a wire brush, get a thermostat rated at 195 f and a new gasket reassemble the housing to the block making sure that the thermostat does not slip out of its pocket in the housing when tightening up the bolts, otherwise you will crack the housing and will have to find a replacement. use some thermostat sealant to a gasket maker if you wish to help but use a MINIMAL amount JUST to keep the thermostat in place. if you use a gasket maker you are more likely to have leaks. if you only use the sealant to hold the thermostat in place then you can begin using the vehicle immediately/ to check for leaks.

The heater will work no matter which way the hoses to it are hooked up. In fact reversing the hoses is a method of clearing clogs on older units. Add to your procedure to pay attention to the direction that the old thermostat was so you don't install the new one backwards. Try the method above before resorting to the coolant bath. If you do remove the return hose have someone else at the key to turn it off. You only need to run it for a couple of seconds.

Good luck,