heater not getting hot

[jeu510]

anybody knows why my heater take a long time to get hot when temp gauge is already at normal temp.? if its really cold, the heater only gets warm or stays cool......

[pohaku]

Thermostat?

[jeu510]

no, the engine is at normal operating temp, but my heater is just not hot out the vents......kinda seems like a partially open heater control valve or a partially open heater vent door.....just not sure....

was hoping someone had this same problem and could save me the hassle of diagnosing this.....lol...but thanks anyways....

[94_240sx]

Under the glove box close to the audio, you can remove small vent plastic piece. One bolt is holding it. You will see a wire. See if that wire is closing and opening the air mix door properly.

[jeu510]

koo, i'll try that...thanks agian.

[jeu510]

well, i checked and everything is working...i can see the cable moving the door when switching it from hot to cold and can also hear the door hitting the vents when its close or open all the way....

damn...any other suggestions? i've checked the coolant hoses on the fire wall and they are both hot when vehicle is at normal operation temp......that means the heater core isnt clogged.....

[-RJ-]

maybe your heater core is dirty. unplug the coolant hoses from the firewall that is connected to the heater core and blow compressed air through it. There will be a lot of crap in there

[94_240sx]

maybe your heater core is dirty. unplug the coolant hoses from the firewall that is connected to the heater core and blow compressed air through it. There will be a lot of crap in there

I have an extra heater core, so let me know if you need it. If you have to replace it, oh my gosh, you have to remove the dash and it's not easy at all. You might look into digital climate control swap too. You better take advantage of it when the dash is out.

You can disconnet heater core hoses from firewall in engine bay. I wonder if it's possible to clean up heater core from there.

[jeu510]

thanks guys...i'll try to see if i can clean it out...if not, i just wont drive it when its cold......lol

[BiXLL]

I have been living through this with one of mine for 2 winters now, (not mine, the wifes....LOL) I have tried everything I could think of and can not get it corrected. It will eventually blow heat, but it takes like 3 times longer then my other 2. I would love to find a cure, but just don't know what else to do.

[94_240sx]

I have been living through this with one of mine for 2 winters now, (not mine, the wifes....LOL) I have tried everything I could think of and can not get it corrected. It will eventually blow heat, but it takes like 3 times longer then my other 2. I would love to find a cure, but just don't know what else to do.

It's possible your thermostat is bad, so it's opening late. It's a cheap part, so give it a try.

OP, you should replace it too if you haven't done it for a while.

[jeu510]

i dont know if its the thermostat....then temp gauge already shows normal temp. reading.....not only that, i swapped my motor from another car and the problem is still there...(i didnt swap the motor cus of this, it was a blown head gasket, so i just swapped and did the 5sp conversion at the same time)

guess it cant really be driven in very cold days...lol....i might just change the thermostat just for the hell of it....i'll let you know if it fixes it....

thanks agian for the suggestions.....

[BiXLL]

It's possible your thermostat is bad, so it's opening late. It's a cheap part, so give it a try.

That was one of the first things I tried 2 winters ago, but I guess it would not hurt to try another one.

[Azrial]

Are you sure it's just not letting more cold air in because it's convertible then heat it is putting out. Mine always blows hot but in the dead of winter it's never really warm inside of it. How much antifreeze are you running what is your mix at. That might do it as well. Plus if you have installed a cooler thermostat it may not get as hot either.

[BiXLL]

My other 2 will roast you out if left on high, so I am sure its not just because iots a convertible. Antifreeze mix is 50/50, I don't remember what temp thermo I put in, but it was what Advance Auto had as stock.

[Azrial]

Hmm then I dunno what to tell you. Unless something isn't opening up properly. You always have some kind of crazy problem with your cars. At least I am not the only one.

[BiXLL]

Hmm then I dunno what to tell you. Unless something isn't opening up properly. You always have some kind of crazy problem with your cars. At least I am not the only one.

considering I have 3 of them that are all daily drivers, I don't think I have that many problems. I do like for them to be right though.

[94_240sx]

My other 2 will roast you out if left on high, so I am sure its not just because iots a convertible. Antifreeze mix is 50/50, I don't remember what temp thermo I put in, but it was what Advance Auto had as stock.

You cn drop it into boiling water to see if it opens up right.