Slow heating and defrost

[justimpala]

Compared to older cars I owned before, my 01' impala takes much longer to get hot air coming out of the front vent. Have to sit long to wait until fog removed from inside winshield. Any advice on this?

To defrost, is it best to always set air coming from outsie?
When both Defrost and Fan on, AC is run, right?

[57chevyragtop]

One thing you might look at is the air filter may be dirty or have leaves in the intake on right side cowl vent under wiper. Outside air is selectable in all mode settings, recirc in vent and bi-level modes and need to be reset each time car is started. AC should be off, lever for temp set to the red zone and choose either defogger/floor or defrost mode. ice and snow need be cleared from vent cowl for best performance in winter. otherwise may contribute to fogging or longer defrosting of window. your Q about the AC...I think you are referring to the compressor running while in defrost mode in older cars...I am not sure this is the case here though the purpose was to have periodic use of the compressor during the winter months to keep it from freezing up from non use. At least that is my understanding, and may still be so.

[bermis519]

Are you saying it's hard to get air to move out of the vents, or takes a long time for your vehicle to reach operating temperatures. Once it's at operating temp, is the air hot, or warm. Basically I'm getting at a possible thermostat problem.

Just something simple, easy and a cheap part to rule out.

Mike

[crazy Jim]

Originally Posted by bermis519

Are you saying it's hard to get air to move out of the vents, or takes a long time for your vehicle to reach operating temperatures. Once it's at operating temp, is the air hot, or warm. Basically I'm getting at a possible thermostat problem.

Just something simple, easy and a cheap part to rule out.

Mike

I have a '99 Grand Am with the 3.4 and the heater always got hot faster then any car I ever had, Until recently that is. The intake has the typical slow leak coolant that is prone to this particular engine and I have put off fixing it. Well anyways the "low coolant" light wopuld always remind me when it was getting time to add anti-freeze. This fall/winter the warning light does not appear to work any more and I noticed that the heater wastaking forever to warm up. I checked the coolant level and it was wasy low. I added apprx 3/4 gal of fluid and wallaw the heater blows hot real quick, within 5 minutes of starting cold car. (temp gauge at 100* or so) Before the added fluid it would not blow consistent hot air for 15 minutes and 190-200* engine temp...