No hot air, overheats when driving in traffic ('93 V6)

[superfuji57]

In the past couple years I've replaced the water pump, thermostat, and radiator. I honestly don't remember the last time I had heat, though. What could be the issue? What is the proper way to bleed the coolant system?

Thanks in advance.

[xeroinfinity]

Have you tried flushing the cooling system ?
You heater core could be clogged.

To bleed the cooling system is pretty simple.
-If you dont have the reciculating tube with the bleeder valve,
then you'll have to just let it warm up with the Radiator cap off or resivour cap off.
-Make sure your heater is turned to "heat" so it opens and ciculates removing any air that could be trapped.
-Then just add coolant as the level drops.
-It does help if the front of the car is inclided slightly.

Hope that helps

[superfuji57]

Thanks. How do I flush the coolant system? :o

[xeroinfinity]

not to hard you just need to purchase some coolant flush stuff from a parts store. They run about $10-12 I think.
Prestone is a good brand.

Depending on how dirty the system is you might need 2 bottles of flush.

Then you drain the radiator partially, unless you have room to add the extra volume of fluids.
Warm the engine, following the direction on the container of flush treatment.

Let cool...
Drain the radiator into a pan or something so not to contaminate the ground.

Then refill the radiator/cooling system to rise.
Drain, repeat above 3-4 more times.

Then when you refill the coolant ,
if using Dex I would use distilled water.
Otherwise it'll get all gummy and nasty looking from the excess iron in the tap water.Which wont flow well.

If you cant get the drain on the front of the radiator open you can drain it from the lowest radi hose.

Also here is a good article on cooling systems.
TECH TIP - COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS

Hope that helps.