96 S-10 V6, little or no heat w/temp < 32

[jandenes]

When the temperature drops to 32 or less, the heater blows cold or warm air. The temp guage takes forever to get to normal but still hardly any heat. With temps above 32, it blows plenty hot.

[NaKeDZX]

I'd replace the thermostat first. Sounds like it might be stuck partially open. If that doesn't do it, backflush the heater core. I just ran a hose backwards through mine for a few seconds, reattached the hoses, and it works great now.

[s10bajadan]

are you using dexcool as a coolant?
common problem with dexcool clogging heater core.
disconnect both heater-core hoses and purg out with water hose.(hot-water if you can)

[dugie6551]

I have to ask .... when does the temperature get below 32 degs. in North Carolina?

[jandenes]

Originally Posted by dugie6551

I have to ask .... when does the temperature get below 32 degs. in North Carolina?

In the winter!

[dugie6551]

Originally Posted by jandenes

In the winter!

Well duh ... How often is it below 32 degs. ?

I thought that N.C. stays above freezing all year around.

[jandenes]

Originally Posted by dugie6551

Well duh ... How often is it below 32 degs. ?

I thought that N.C. stays above freezing all year around.

NC is very diverse geographically. We have beautiful beaches to the east where 10-12 inches of snow is possible once in a while. To the west we have mountains (Mt. Mitchell being the highest peak east of the Mississippi River) and lots of snow. In between we have temps down to the single digits and temps in the 60's within a few days of each other. Christmas a few years ago was 10 degrees. The following Christmas it was 74 degrees. One year we had 18 inches of snow in Charlotte and the temps stayed in the 20's for 8 days afterward.

[dugie6551]

AH ... mountains !!!

Thanks for the brief geography lesson. The only thing I know about N.C. is all the NASCAR shops are there.

Guess I should get out more !!!

[BlazerLT]

What is the temp gauge reading when the engine has been running for a while?

[jandenes]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

What is the temp gauge reading when the engine has been running for a while?

No #'s on the guage. The needle goes vertical after about 30-45 minutes of driving.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by jandenes

No #'s on the guage. The needle goes vertical after about 30-45 minutes of driving.

It take 45 minutes for it to reach that level?

[dugie6551]

Living in Canada, I have to put a peice of cardboard in front of my rad to get the coolant to heat up. Without it, the coolant doesn't have a chance to get up to temperature because of the cold air and wind. This might be happening to you; just a thought ....

[AJT1961]

May be a silly question, but have you checked the coolant reservoir to make sure you are not low? The first thing to go when these cars run short of coolant is the heat since the heater core is higher than the radiator. Mine did that because of a bad radiator cap. The car ran fine, the temp gauge looked normal, but the heat started waning and eventually blew only cold.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by dugie6551

Living in Canada, I have to put a peice of cardboard in front of my rad to get the coolant to heat up. Without it, the coolant doesn't have a chance to get up to temperature because of the cold air and wind. This might be happening to you; just a thought ....

I live 4 hours north of you in Northern Ontario and my coolant gets up to temperature just fine without the cardboard.

Putting cardboard in front of your rad is a VERY poor idea seeing it cools the transmission and the oil. In stop and go traffic you will be overheating your transmission by doing this.

Temperatures are not that cold in Toronto to warrent it.

[jimwark]

when you replaced the thermostat you should of also got a rubber seal that you need to put around the thermostat befor you install it this part will not come with the thermostat.