BRRR !!! No heat in S-10

Durwood49 · #1 11-12-2009, 04:12 PM

My 2001 S-10 pickup 4.3 just lost heat. All the vents work when changing from defrost to heat ,etc. The temp gauge comes up like normal so i guess thermostat is good, peaks at 180. A/C is fine. Anything I can try myself before I cry and pay full price at a repair shop ? Thanks for any advice.

MT-2500 · #2 11-12-2009, 05:17 PM

You need the temp up to 195 degrees.
Does both heater hoses get hot to the touch?
Is it full of coolant in rad?

Can you feel or hear the electronic temp actuator motor/door working?

Durwood49 · #3 11-12-2009, 07:30 PM

Thanks for the reply. The temp does get to the 195 range, my bad .
I`ll check on the hoses tomorrow. As to the actuator, don`t know anything about that. I did go to the Advance Auto parts earlier and they showed me the actuator box looking thing and said to talk to someone online about it before buying it because they said some are a royal pain to get to. He said one took him 4 hours to get to.Radiator full of coolant. Thanks

MT-2500 · #4 11-13-2009, 08:31 AM

First check heater hoses.
If not hot to the touch you have no circulation threw heater core.

For actuator replacement go to the S-10 How to section.

Durwood49 · #5 11-13-2009, 04:23 PM

Just checked the hoses. The top hose is hot, not super hot. The bottom hose, I can hold on to and never gets too hot to let go of.

MT-2500 · #6 11-13-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durwood49

Just checked the hoses. The top hose is hot, not super hot. The bottom hose, I can hold on to and never gets too hot to let go of.

On hose should get as hot as engine coolant which should be around 195 to 200.
And other one should be hot to touch is it is flowing threw heater core.
I would try blowing out and flushing heater core.
Some times I reverse heater hose for a week or so to help flush.
Let us know how it goes.

Durwood49 · #7 11-15-2009, 01:25 PM

Thanks again MT. I bought prestone flush n fill kit. Will that flush the heater core as well as the rest of the system?

Wags391 · #8 11-15-2009, 01:56 PM

Does reversing the heater core hoses hurt anything? Would that help with air in the system?

Durwood49 · #9 11-15-2009, 05:20 PM

Thanks for all the help. This dudes got some heat !!!

As soon as I used the prestone flush kit , I could feel the heat coming back. My only problem was getting to the drain plug on the radiator. The 2001 s10 is a pain. I miss the old wing plug. You must need a special tool for this baby. Looks like you use a screwdriver sideways to open it up and hard to get to. Thanks again ,will test it out in the morning

MT-2500 · #10 11-15-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durwood49

Thanks for all the help. This dudes got some heat !!!

As soon as I used the prestone flush kit , I could feel the heat coming back. My only problem was getting to the drain plug on the radiator. The 2001 s10 is a pain. I miss the old wing plug. You must need a special tool for this baby. Looks like you use a screwdriver sideways to open it up and hard to get to. Thanks again ,will test it out in the morning

You are welcome.
Also the heater core reverse aids in flushing the core.
Good Luck

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