No heat - after fixed leak

[Scottish-Dave]

Hi folks

Had my coolant system fixed thanks to you guys and Lindsay cadillac. Leak was from the big metal housing near the thermostat. I have had that the thermostat housing and thermostat and water pump changed. Car is running like a dream, not budged past the 12 mark even driven hard.

But since thats been fixed on friday I have very little heat, even both on 90c each side just cold with a tad of warm coming in.

Going to phone the garage to let them know but im wondering what they could of done during the fix that would of caused this.

Any ideas

[chubbyranger]

Air pocket that didn't get out during the refill process would be my guess. The system should be self purging but perhaps the heater core hasn't cleared yet. Make sure your purge line to the surge tank is not plugged. Easiest way to check is open the surge tank (when the car is cold or cool) and look in while revving the motor. You should see some coolant movement. You can also disconnect the line and check for flow but that's a bit messier. Once the car warms up, turn the heat on full blast and see if the heater hoses are hot. If one is hot and one not it could be a clogged heater core, if both are coolish its probably trapped air.

[Scottish-Dave]

Thanks bud. Will tell them to do this if they tell me to bring it down. Another possible is they know about this problem, I always got the car back with the climate control off and I could of sworn someones been trying to get under the dash, their seems to be a bit hanging down like the tried to unscrew something. the joy, fix one problem gain another. wish I lived over in usa

[Scottish-Dave]

Update:

Guy thinks its a blocked heater matrix, or heater core as you call them I think. Pipe going in roasting hot, pipe coming out pretty cold, like a blockage, Got the car back and after i filled it with fuel went for a quick drive its hot again (wierd)
What im wondering is, if its the heater core he thinks the dash etc will have to come off can someone confirm this and is it a big job.


unrelated issue, My back right light has about 3 inches of water in it will need to have a look when its not dark but that doesnt quite sound right, I could put a goldfish in there lol.

[Ranger]

After opening up the cooling system and getting air in it, it needs to be purged by revving the engine to 3000 - 4000K a few times. They probably did not so that, but your driving it most likely did and that got the air out of the heater core.

You probably have a bad seal on the tail light lens. Remove it, drain it and dry it. Then try to locate the leak and seal it with some clear silicone caulk. The only other choice is an expensive replacement. Oh, and check your spare tire wheel well to be sure no water has gotten in there. It may be a fish pond.

[Scottish-Dave]

Again thanks allot guys you rock

[chubbyranger]

The heater core replacement does require removal of most of the dash - I recall looking it up in the FSM for somebody here. Nasty looking job.

[Scottish-Dave]

Job certainly looks nasty, my heater issue still their, sometimes its fine and then somtimes its not, again I can get the heat no problem when I rev passed 2000. Will take the cap of the surge tank and rev it to 3-4 k a couple of times tomorrow. once it stops snowing.

If that doesnt clear it then it sounds like a heater core issue as they checked the purge line. If thats the case I think the car might have to go.

[chubbyranger]

Have them try backflushing the heater core before you go down the replacement path. It might clear a blockage that's in there and should displace air. If you get heat some times and its not leaking I don't think you need to replace the core unless its completely plugged - and then you'd never get any heat.