Heat problem

[Jfro962]

Hi there I have a 1996 buick regal GranSport and this week it has started giving me trouble with heat. I would go start it and scrap the windows while I thought it was warming up but about 10 minutes later the temp gauage was still at cold!, I proceded to drive as it was and about 5 minutes later the gauge went to the first quater mark and I had heat but when i come to a stop at a light the temp gauge stays where it is but the heat goes luke warm, one i get going again and engine is at 1500rpm bam heat is super hot. Same applys to when i start it to warm up if at idle luke warm but if i idle it to 1500rpm bam heat.

Second issue is when i press the vent button on my heater controll box it stays stuck on front and takes a good minute to switch.

does anybody know what could be causing these issues?

Thanks for your time

[lellowrx7]

Slow heater = cold temps

At most I could see your thermostat being outta wack but it's a 5$ part just get it replaced.

[bourge73]

^^ that sure sounds like a plugged heater core. Common on those older GM's.

[Jfro962]

^^ but if the heater core is clogged wouldnt I not get any heat ?

I also just had the rad flushed 4 months ago ...

[bourge73]

^^ Not necessarily. Could be not completely clogged/ or on its way out and could also be a plugged line too. When you flushed the rad did you change the Thermostat? (obviously a rad flush wouldnt solve a heater core issue)

[Jfro962]

^ I changed the rad cap but not the thermostat

[sr20s14zenki]

Its the thermostat.


A plugged heater core wouldnt take forever to warm up. Usually slow to warm up, and temp drops when at stop are signs of a messed up thermostat.

[bourge73]

^^Sure your right, and hopefully thats what it is, way cheaper Lol. Depends, what's the temp @ ? if its normal the Thermostat would be operating normally no? If high or low Thermo problem. Operating normal then not @ a stop Heater Core partially or blocked no? No mechanic but that's what I thought.

But ya forsure the first thing to do is change the thermostat, its like under 10 bucks and hope that fixes it.

[Jfro962]

^ it stays @ cold untill its given some gas and idled @ 1250 - 1500 rpm then it goes up, but if I take my foot off the gas and it idles at 800 - 900 rpm it blows luke warm but temp doesnt go back to cold it stays up but goes down from half to the first quarter line if that makes sence the way i said it :S

[Jfro962]

But I shall try the thermostat as its only like $12.63 or something when I looked it up and cant hurt to be changed since it may be the original one from the day it rolled off the lot in there... and it does have 197,000kms which is on the lower end for the year but who knows

The heater core is not to expensive either may just do both, but thermostat first ... ofcourse

Thanks for the sugestions

[bourge73]

Yup change it (and the gasket) its cheap and easy to do, and prey it works.

[Jfro962]

well i am going to change it, and if not ... off to the shop it goes to get the heater core done cause I am simply not touching that !lol

[Rat Fink]

.

[Jfro962]

^ no idea how to do that lol as I have never touched a heater core in my life :P

[Jfro962]

Never heard of the fail safe, but just read up on it and it has AMAZING reviews .. NOT lol, So thanks for the heads up.

So you would just recomend a regular conventional $10 thermostat ?

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by Jfro962
Never heard of the fail safe, but just read up on it and it has AMAZING reviews .. NOT lol, So thanks for the heads up.

So you would just recomend a regular conventional $10 thermostat ?

KISS

Keep It Simple Stupid

hopefully its not heater core, what a yuck job.

[Rat Fink]

.

[Jfro962]

Thanks for all the help guys ! much apreciated.