Weird heater problem.
Weird heater problem.
I have this strange heater problem that has only just started happening, When starting the car and after it heats up heater produces nice hot air, after about 3/4hr driving though it goes back to being cold, Thermostat is fine as its new, water pump was only done about 4 months ago , coolant levels are fine i have checked everything that has been in mentioned in other posts but can't see anything that pertains to what is happening. Any ideas as to what to check maybe. Oh it on fresh and not re circ.
-
tehbrookzorz
- Regular Member
- Posts: 1561
- Joined: April 29th, 2006, 6:59 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
Temp gauge is fine and is sitting where it normally sits. I think the thermostat is fine as i get hot air when the car starts (after warming up) then still get hot air for about 3/4 hr before it starts going cold again.
I am wondering what actually controls the cold - hot air, Is there a solinoid somewhere that lets the hot water flow to the heater, Just wondering if maybe that is getting faulty.
I am wondering what actually controls the cold - hot air, Is there a solinoid somewhere that lets the hot water flow to the heater, Just wondering if maybe that is getting faulty.
-
Tunes67
- Supporting Member
- Posts: 4708
- Joined: January 27th, 2005, 6:36 pm
- Location: Everett, WA
- Contact:
Coolant is always flowing through the heater core. As long as 2 conditions are met. 1) The water pump is working properly. 2) Enough coolant is in the system.
With that said, your most likely issue is indeed going to be air pockets in the system. When you installed your new thermostat.. did you install it with the bleeder valve pointing upward? The bleeder valve usually looks like a small brass bead on a hook through a small hole in the face of the thermostat. If the bleeder valve is not pointed up when the thermostat is installed.. it will trap air pockets in the system and if enough air is trapped in the system.. it can cause the symptoms you are describing.
To get air out of the cooling system.. Park the car with the nose going uphill. Let the engine cool down completely.. best to let it sit overnight.. you dont want the engine to heat up quickly while doing this or you will spill a lot of coolant. Remove the radiator cap, and start the engine.. let it run for a few minutes. Air will always try to move to the highest point in the cooling system, so if you have trapped air bubbles.. they should work their way to the open radiator neck. You may need to add more coolant once the system "Burps". This will NOT work if the bleeder valve of the thermostat is NOT pointed up.
Tunes67
With that said, your most likely issue is indeed going to be air pockets in the system. When you installed your new thermostat.. did you install it with the bleeder valve pointing upward? The bleeder valve usually looks like a small brass bead on a hook through a small hole in the face of the thermostat. If the bleeder valve is not pointed up when the thermostat is installed.. it will trap air pockets in the system and if enough air is trapped in the system.. it can cause the symptoms you are describing.
To get air out of the cooling system.. Park the car with the nose going uphill. Let the engine cool down completely.. best to let it sit overnight.. you dont want the engine to heat up quickly while doing this or you will spill a lot of coolant. Remove the radiator cap, and start the engine.. let it run for a few minutes. Air will always try to move to the highest point in the cooling system, so if you have trapped air bubbles.. they should work their way to the open radiator neck. You may need to add more coolant once the system "Burps". This will NOT work if the bleeder valve of the thermostat is NOT pointed up.
Tunes67
"So long.. and thanks for all the fish!" "Momma says VW Bugs are the devil" "This one time at band camp.. I stuck a flute in my Throttle Body" 
"Screw you guys.. I am goin home"
I am the Cranky God of Mods!!! Tremble before my fury!! LOL
"Screw you guys.. I am goin home"
I am the Cranky God of Mods!!! Tremble before my fury!! LOL
yep will try that tomorrow, Termostat is in the right way i did it at the same time the water pump was done, So its been about 4-5 months since that was done and now just all of a sudden it has started doing it, I keep a check on the coolent level and have not had to put any in as the level has been fine.