Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types?

forgop · 11-11-2011, 07:43 AM

So, my wife's van isn't getting hot despite running for quite some time. On occasion, it may finally begin to produce hot air after 15 minutes of driving. If it matters at all, the engine temp got over the summer related to a stuck thermostat and it was fine after that. I'm not a heating or cooling system guy at all to know if one would have caused another. Is this likely a bad heater core? I haven't noticed a coolant smell at all. Blower is fine-the air just isn't getting warm except the rare occasion it may start warming up after driving several minutes even after the engine temp is fine.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

replicant_argent · 11-11-2011, 07:45 AM

Put another stat in it.

Bruins Fan · 11-11-2011, 07:52 AM

First check to see if it is full of coolant,not just the expansion tank take the radiator cap off and look.
Be careful do it with the engine cold.

Check the temp gauge, if the temp is not coming up the thermostat could be stuck?

That's some place to start.

tsolomon · 11-11-2011, 08:08 AM

Sounds like a thermostat and it's a cheap fix if it works.

T.G · 11-11-2011, 09:32 AM

Does Lowe's sell anti-freeze?

ninjavanish · 11-11-2011, 10:25 AM

Echoing others who've posted already...

Sounds like it could be related to your thermostat.

The thermostat is going to open up, allowing coolant to flow freely to the radiator and heater core once the thermostat reaches the appropriate temp. This typically happens within a few minutes of starting the engine.

If it's stuck in the open position it is not allowing the coolant to increase in temperature properly because it is running through the raditator from the moment you start the vehicle.

This may account for why after a prolonged period of driving the heater appears to begin working again. It is simply requiring a much longer period of time for the coolant to attain a temperature sufficient enough to provide the heat into the cabin.

forgop · 11-11-2011, 10:30 AM

The reason I replaced the thermostat over the summer was because it stuck closed and had high pressure behind the thermostat as though nothing was getting through. You could squeeze the hose going into the radiator very easily, but the line going into the engine was as tight as could be.

It makes sense, but then it doesn't because I just changed it and wouldn't it seem unlikely to already be bad again so soon.

neoflex · 11-11-2011, 10:34 AM

Could have just been a defective part and since it was summer never noticed the heating portion of things.

wayner123 · 11-11-2011, 10:46 AM

What model is your van? And does it have a temperature sensor on the dash?

forgop · 11-11-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayner123

What model is your van? And does it have a temperature sensor on the dash?

Dodge Grand Caravan-it shows the temp gauge in the dash. Prior to replacing the thermostat, it was as high as it would go and one day I even stopped and pulled off several times to cool down on my way home to hopefully keep from doing any damage. Now, it'll idle/run in the medium range of the gauge, so the coolant is obviously passing through the system.

wayner123 · 11-11-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

Dodge Grand Caravan-it shows the temp gauge in the dash. Prior to replacing the thermostat, it was as high as it would go and one day I even stopped and pulled off several times to cool down on my way home to hopefully keep from doing any damage. Now, it'll idle/run in the medium range of the gauge, so the coolant is obviously passing through the system.

Does it have automatic climate control?

CasaDooley · 11-11-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Does Lowe's sell anti-freeze?

That is so wrong and so funny!

cobra03 · 11-11-2011, 04:48 PM

I would check the antifreeze first. My wifes car did the exact same thing last year and it was a combo of to little and to watered down antifreeze. i topped it off with a little straight antifreeze not watered down and it fixed it instantly.

shark · 11-11-2011, 06:07 PM

It might be a good idea to have the cooling system completely flushed out. Also, maybe have an engine compression check done just to make sure there isn't an issue with a head gasket or cracked/warped cylinder head. Is the water pump working correctly?

forgop · 11-11-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Does Lowe's sell anti-freeze?

I'm not going there for it.

hammondc · 11-11-2011, 06:20 PM

I agree it sounds like a thermostat

forgop · 11-11-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobra03

I would check the antifreeze first. My wifes car did the exact same thing last year and it was a combo of to little and to watered down antifreeze. i topped it off with a little straight antifreeze not watered down and it fixed it instantly.

I hadn't thought of this. I think I've got one of those gauges in my tool box and see what the concentration is.

tsolomon · 11-12-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoflex

Could have just been a defective part and since it was summer never noticed the heating portion of things.

I had a Ford Explorer where I had to replace the thermostat every year because it wouldn't heat up when the weather turned cold. It didn't make sense, but it worked.

forgop · 11-13-2011, 12:13 AM

Actually got around to checking out the coolant level and seems pretty low. Going to do a complete flush and fill tomorrow and see how that works.

T.G · 11-13-2011, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

I'm not going there for it.

11-11-2011, 07:43 AM	#1
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? So, my wife's van isn't getting hot despite running for quite some time. On occasion, it may finally begin to produce hot air after 15 minutes of driving. If it matters at all, the engine temp got over the summer related to a stuck thermostat and it was fine after that. I'm not a heating or cooling system guy at all to know if one would have caused another. Is this likely a bad heater core? I haven't noticed a coolant smell at all. Blower is fine-the air just isn't getting warm except the rare occasion it may start warming up after driving several minutes even after the engine temp is fine. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

11-11-2011, 07:45 AM	#2
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? Put another stat in it. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

11-11-2011, 07:52 AM	#3
Bruins Fan Hooper drives the boat. Join Date: May 2009 First Name: John Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,359 Trading: (0)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? First check to see if it is full of coolant,not just the expansion tank take the radiator cap off and look. Be careful do it with the engine cold. Check the temp gauge, if the temp is not coming up the thermostat could be stuck? That's some place to start. __________________ Here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women.

11-11-2011, 08:08 AM	#4
tsolomon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 1,246 Trading: (31)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? Sounds like a thermostat and it's a cheap fix if it works.

11-11-2011, 09:32 AM	#5
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? Does Lowe's sell anti-freeze?

11-11-2011, 10:25 AM	#6
ninjavanish Feeling at Home Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trust me, your humi isn't big enough. Posts: 507 Trading: (16)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? Echoing others who've posted already... Sounds like it could be related to your thermostat. The thermostat is going to open up, allowing coolant to flow freely to the radiator and heater core once the thermostat reaches the appropriate temp. This typically happens within a few minutes of starting the engine. If it's stuck in the open position it is not allowing the coolant to increase in temperature properly because it is running through the raditator from the moment you start the vehicle. This may account for why after a prolonged period of driving the heater appears to begin working again. It is simply requiring a much longer period of time for the coolant to attain a temperature sufficient enough to provide the heat into the cabin.

11-11-2011, 10:30 AM	#7
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? The reason I replaced the thermostat over the summer was because it stuck closed and had high pressure behind the thermostat as though nothing was getting through. You could squeeze the hose going into the radiator very easily, but the line going into the engine was as tight as could be. It makes sense, but then it doesn't because I just changed it and wouldn't it seem unlikely to already be bad again so soon.

11-11-2011, 10:34 AM	#8
neoflex I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: John Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 2,765 Trading: (32)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? Could have just been a defective part and since it was summer never noticed the heating portion of things. __________________

11-11-2011, 10:46 AM	#9
wayner123 Country Gentleman Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 2,351 Trading: (159)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? What model is your van? And does it have a temperature sensor on the dash? __________________ 'It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.'

11-11-2011, 04:48 PM	#13
cobra03 Adult Babysitter Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Scott Location: Hamburg, NY Posts: 1,880 Trading: (15)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? I would check the antifreeze first. My wifes car did the exact same thing last year and it was a combo of to little and to watered down antifreeze. i topped it off with a little straight antifreeze not watered down and it fixed it instantly. __________________ "I'm feelin' low, Apu. You got any of that beer that has candy floating in it, you know Skittlebrau?https://www.facebook.com/thebuffalobeerleague

11-11-2011, 06:07 PM	#14
shark Cigar Smokin' Patriot Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ron Location: Michigan Posts: 3,566 Trading: (0)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? It might be a good idea to have the cooling system completely flushed out. Also, maybe have an engine compression check done just to make sure there isn't an issue with a head gasket or cracked/warped cylinder head. Is the water pump working correctly? __________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds

11-11-2011, 06:20 PM	#16
hammondc Moar Padrons! Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Chip Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,625 Trading: (17)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? I agree it sounds like a thermostat

11-13-2011, 12:13 AM	#19
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: Van heater not warming up-any auto mech types? Actually got around to checking out the coolant level and seems pretty low. Going to do a complete flush and fill tomorrow and see how that works.