I have a 01 T&C. It takes about 9 miles of driving before the heater will start blowing hot air. Please help the wife is freezing in her van. :banghead:

I have a 01 T&C. It takes about 9 miles of driving before the heater will start blowing hot air. Please help the wife is freezing in her van. :banghead:


Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open.

Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open.

How would I check that? Is it easy to replace the thermostat?

How would I check that? Is it easy to replace the thermostat?

Thermostats aren't expensive so it is probably quicker to change it. I haven't had to change one in a transverse engine so am unaware of any difficulties involved.

Follow the upper radiator hose to the engine, note the height it attaches to the engine and drain the antifreeze below this level. Take out the retaining bolts holding the coolant outlet connector, - I believe there are 2 - note how the thermostat is installed . Make sure all of the old gasket is removed, then install the new gasket and thermostat, bolt the outlet connector to the engine then reattach and clamp the upper hose. Pour the drained antifreeze back into the system, then run the engine to check for leaks.

Hope this helps.

Thermostats aren't expensive so it is probably quicker to change it. I haven't had to change one in a transverse engine so am unaware of any difficulties involved.

Follow the upper radiator hose to the engine, note the height it attaches to the engine and drain the antifreeze below this level. Take out the retaining bolts holding the coolant outlet connector, - I believe there are 2 - note how the thermostat is installed . Make sure all of the old gasket is removed, then install the new gasket and thermostat, bolt the outlet connector to the engine then reattach and clamp the upper hose. Pour the drained antifreeze back into the system, then run the engine to check for leaks.

Hope this helps.

Make sure to put the new thermostat in with the air bleed facing up! The air bleed is a tiny hole in the thermostat, sometimes it has a small metal piece that is loose in the hole. I have a 3.3 2001 voyager, And I only remember seeing one thermostat. The thermostat housing is at the top of the engine, where the big hose from the radiator comes in, right next to the battery.

As for saving the antifreeze, your van probably has the 5 year coolant in it. Yours is 4+ years old. Not a bad time to drain / flush and put in new 5 year coolant.

As for saving the antifreeze, your van probably has the 5 year coolant in it. Yours is 4+ years old. Not a bad time to drain / flush and put in new 5 year coolant.

Good advise :bigthumb:

Good advise :bigthumb:
Is your delay on? The computer will not direct heat untill there heat to give
you can shut this service off, read your manual, but I would suggest you keep your delay on, it will do everything for the fastest heat.

Get the codes scanned at autozone or somewhere , it will tell you if it is taking too long to warm up and that is indeed usually a stuck open thermostat.