96 cavalier heating problems

[coopcj7]

I have a 96 cavalier with the 2.2 engine. The heater in it blows cold air. The temp guage reads that it is warming up and then soon if I dont shut it off it will over heat. I just replaced the thermostat. But it still blows cold air. can you help it is very cold here and I need heat!!!

[ebritt]

Check the water pump. watch the water level in the radiator if it doesent start churning when the thermostat opens up yer pump aint pumpin'

[sparkypdr]

The 96 2.2L doesn't have a radiator cap, so you won't be able to check it that way (It just has a reservoir cap, but you don't want to open it except to add coolant). Make sure that you have bled the air out of the system. The bleeder valve is toward the front side of the engine on the drivers side underneath the air intake duct. It takes a 7 mm wrench for the bleeder or a 10 mm for the entire fitting. My bleeder is stuck in the fitting, so I just relieve the air using the whole fitting. When the thermostat opens, the radiator hose at the thermostat will get hot, but it will be cold (relatively) until the thermostat opens. Keep clear of the fan and put your hand on it. It is important to bleed the air or the thermostat will not work.

[bdodge]

Do you still need to bleed the air with a 2.4L engine?