Heater isn't working too well....

[Scarpozzi]

My Regal has had this problem this year since it's been cold. I didn't notice anything last year... I'll start up the car and drive it around for a good while. I have a temp guage that registers around the 45% mark for heat...within what I would expect to be an acceptable range. It doesn't appear to be undercooling or overcooling the engine. That rules out the thermostat.

I thought it might be the heater core, but the car is only 5 years old and I doubt it's rusted up yet. I'm going to check my fluid levels to make sure it has enough coolant in it after the engine cools down in a few hours.

In case there is a problem with the heater core, is there an additive I can put in the coolant system that will help clean it out? Replacing the heater core would mean draining the system and disassembling the dashboard + $60 for the new heater core. Just wondering what other options there are before I dive into that project. I can guarantee that taking it to a shop will mean a mechanic is going to suggest doing the work and charging $100-150 labor to do it.

 

[Vette73]

Do these 3 things first...


1. Replace Thermostat
2. Replace radiator cap
3. Top off radiator with coolant/water

Do these 3 things and they fix that problem 99% of the time.

 

[aleckz]

Same thing was happening with my girlfriends Specta (I had a post up here). The thermostat was stuck open on it's failsafe. Good luck!

 

[Sluggo]

I think that if you had a problem with a leaking heater core, you would have already noticed the smell and the high humidity in the car. If the heater core was blocked/clogged, you would probably be experiencing overheating issues.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Do these 3 things first...


1. Replace Thermostat
2. Replace radiator cap
3. Top off radiator with coolant/water

Do these 3 things and they fix that problem 99% of the time.

This...

And I would be very surprised if a heater core job will only be $100 - $150 in labor, unless the person doing it is a family friend / relative. I don't know on that specific car, but replacing a heater core is usually a pretty awful job with lots of labor involved.

 

[Indyboy2]

Could be the thermostat,check to see if it gets up to operating temp,if not go there if so check both hoses going into the heater core one supply one return see if they are hot if one is alot colder than the other that a plugged core can be the culprit.Just remove the hoses and poor some radiator flush in it and let it set in there for a few hrs the flush it out with a garden hose and compressed air see if that works

 

[Zenmervolt]

Is there a process for bleeding the coolant system? It's possible that you have an air bubble in your heater core. Some cars need to be bled, some don't.

ZV