Won't Make any HEAT

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 2, 2009, 10:02 pm

Aggie recently wont warm up..... I don't know what she's got going on...

I'll drive her 12 miles to school in the morning when the Geo wont start- going on every morning, now that it's getting cold.... I think its a weak starter.

She takes FOREVER to make ANY Heat,
At the end of the 12 miles, she's only up to about 140....
Even later in the day, all she'll make is about 160.... (the geeeeo makes 180 by 2 miles from home!)

I think my Thermostat must be stuck.... Any other ideas?

clevor347 · Post by **clevor347** » December 2, 2009, 10:45 pm

Sounds like a thermostat stuck open to me.

BarnieTrk · Post by **BarnieTrk** » December 2, 2009, 11:39 pm

BA,
Not trying to sound smart, :peepwall:

but have you checked to make sure it has the correct amount of coolant in the radiator?
If the coolant level is low, it won't make heat like it should...... :dontknow:

BarnieTrk

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 3, 2009, 7:57 pm

Yes Barnie, you smarta$$, it is full.

I just checked it for you. up to the gasket on the cap....

I oughta toss ya a grenade over your wall just for fun because you mention such possible hostilities!!! lol

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » December 3, 2009, 8:04 pm

Aggie.
Over the years the anti-freeze coagulates and clogs the heater and hoses.
It actually looks like jello.
I know you've probably put in a new motor and such, but I'll bet good American dollars you didn't replace the heater core.
Try pressure flushing the system with a garden hose and a hose barb.
Un-hook the hoses at the water pump and put the pressure on one of the hoses, leaving the other one open.
I think you're going to be suprised what comes out of your heater.
Let the water run for several minutes.
U@ss

supersmitty · Post by **supersmitty** » December 3, 2009, 8:16 pm

Sounds like a thermostat, especially when the engine is taking much longer to heat up than normal and isnt reaching 180. Thermostats are cheap and if it hasnt been changed in awhile then it wouldnt be a bad idea.

I hope I was helpful. Good luck
Josh

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 5, 2009, 2:24 am

Uncle Skip wrote:Aggie.
Over the years the anti-freeze coagulates and clogs the heater and hoses.
It actually looks like jello.
I know you've probably put in a new motor and such, but I'll bet good American dollars you didn't replace the heater core.
Try pressure flushing the system with a garden hose and a hose barb.
Un-hook the hoses at the water pump and put the pressure on one of the hoses, leaving the other one open.
I think you're going to be suprised what comes out of your heater.
Let the water run for several minutes.
U@ss

I bet you have a point about crap in the core, maybe... but that aint the problem.... I'z talkin bout the heet gayge! It'll only hit 130 or so, after a 12 mile drive. It WAS at 180 when I started it after sitting for a few minutes today, and immediately chilled off to 160..... It's the thermo.... promises.

I was gonna fix it today, but got tied up fixing the Geo, swapped in a good used starter, so maybe it will start when it's cold now, and found that half the radiator had drained thru a leaky oring.... Cant believe it wasnt overheating....

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » December 5, 2009, 10:12 am

I put stop leak in my radiator and my heater immediatly stopped working . I took the hoses off and blew them out with air and water and I had heat again.

MattsIASlickShop · Post by **MattsIASlickShop** » December 5, 2009, 11:12 am

My vote is on a faulty thermostat. Be sure to get it in the correct direction, should you choose to replace it.

I once had a similar set of symptoms, it turned out the be a stuck heater hose gate valve on the passenger inner fender. Although the control knob was pulling out like normal, and the cable was turning the valve arm, appearing to allow normal operation, the valve itself was stuck and not moving internally. Rather odd situation, probably a once only deal, but your story reminded me of it.

61 Merc · Post by **61 Merc** » December 5, 2009, 11:12 am

If your temp guage isn't coming up to what it should, then change out the thermostat. Since you are going to have to drain some of the system to change it, do as skip suggested and flush the heater core while you are there since it will have to be drained for that too.

Dean

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » December 5, 2009, 11:36 am

Before taking anything apart, check the accuracy of the gauge. An ir or laser thermometer will do the trick.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » December 5, 2009, 12:24 pm

easiest way to flush the heater core is take off the hoses and connect them together, drive down to the coin operated car wash, stick the hose in the heater core tubes and blast the stuff out of it.
likely what you see come out of there is some nasty looking brown/ green sludge and water mix.

you can do the same at home if you have a pressure washer.

motormount1 · Post by **motormount1** » December 5, 2009, 1:02 pm

skip said what i was thinking.he always ansewers a question before i can eaven read it.

Won't Make any HEAT

Won't Make any HEAT

motor mount