heating and cooling problems

[jewing0003]

i own a 93 camery with a 2.2 and i have worked on my fare share of cars but this one has got me pulling my hair out. first the heat goes hot then cold then back to hot and you get the point. next my temp gauge goes up and down around the hot side and the cooling fans don't work. i have checked the heater core and all the hoses along with the therostate. i have also checked the head gaskets and motor oil and found that they are just fine. i belive that it might be the water pump but i want to know for sure before i take on that task, besides why should i pay someone to fix it when i can.

[Mike Gerber]

Have you checked the coolant level in both the radiator and the overflow. Low coolant can cause the symptoms you describe. When you are low on coolant, as the coolant that is still in the system passes through the heater core, you get heat. When mostly air is passing through the heater core you don't get heat. Check the coolant level. If it is low, fill it with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Then check for a leak. Locate the leak and fix it. Then refill the system again with the 50/50 mix and then bleed the system thoroughly.

Mike