No heat 93' grand am se 3.3L

Travis M · 10-25-2006, 06:07 AM

I've had this car over a year and have never had heat....It blows plenty of air so I replaced the t-stat, and have verified that the flapper door opens and closes, and the coolant is at the full level. My question: where is the heater control valve on this car? Is that what could be wrong? My only other guess is that the heater core is plugged and has been for 2 years or longer, I have heard about flushing the heater core with a garden hose at the firewall (taking off the heater hoses that go to the heater core and taking turns spraying and flushing it) Anyone have sucess with doing this? How much pressure do you need? Or does this have no chance of working because its been clogged for so long? Any thoughts appreciated!

xeroinfinity · 10-25-2006, 08:01 AM

Does sound like a heater core issue.

It is easy to remove those HC lines and flush it with a garden hose. Just try blowing it one way and if it doesnt flow try the other way.

If that doesnt work you'll need to replace your heater core.
Cant remember exactly how its removed, I dont think its to difficult on the 93'.

Travis M · 10-25-2006, 08:11 AM

It's on my list of things to do today...

thanks!

Travis M · 10-25-2006, 10:36 AM

Man I'm looking at the heater core hoses and there is no room to really get on them any ideas on how to get the hoses off? from the top or from the bottom of the car?

xeroinfinity · 10-25-2006, 04:29 PM

I just reach them from the top, but my arms are pretty long.
If they are original hoses then they are probly on thier pretty good.
Might hav to cut them at the connection piont(s) if they are stuck.

Dont think thiers enough hose length to reuse them so if you cut them you'd hav to replace them also.

May hav compression type of clamp, might be the screw type

You'll hav to look and see.

Travis M · 10-27-2006, 03:21 AM

I flushed the heater core and now I have some lukewarm heat, more then I ever had before. Hopefully it works through the winter!

xeroinfinity · 10-27-2006, 12:00 PM

Thats cool Travis !

You might think about running some radiator flush through the cooling system.
Especially if you hav crud & rust under the rad.cap, or in your coolant resivour.

I use prestone cleanr, 2 bottles if its really been neglected.

Glad to help.

Travis M · 10-28-2006, 02:15 AM

Thanks for the help, for good measure I flushed it again (with even better results)and I am glad I tried this before just going out and buying a heater core for $40 dollars plus the time to tear apart the dash, this was way quicker and cheaper and easier!

xeroinfinity · 10-28-2006, 08:24 AM

No Prob !
Glad to here you hav it fixed, heat is good

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