more temperature problems...

[airflo]

Hey guys,

I have the problem that my 95 Metro reached some high temperatures. Just today I realized that there is little rust in the coolant and the heater is not working anymore. I mean, I pull the lever all the way to hot and only medium warm air is coming out of the slots. I used to keep the temperature down by putting the lever all the way to the warm side.
Is this a thermostat problem??

Thanks!!

[Crvett69]

sounds to me like you need to flush the system and if your low on water heater won't put out hot air

[airflo]

how do i flush the system? just refilled new coolant...

[Crvett69]

take it to a shop and have them use machine to flush it or go to local auto parts store and get some radiator flush chemicals and follow instructions on can

[DOCTORBILL]

Several years ago, I had that same problem with my '91 Jeep Cherokee.

I flushed the system as per instructions on a can of radiator cleaner using
one of those tubing systems you buy for about $10.

Still no heater "Heat"....so I unhooked the tubes to the Heater Core by the
firewall and hooked up my garden hose (on low pressure) in reverse direction
to how the coolant flows.
You have to finger that out at some point....
It takes some inventive hose connecting, clamps, swearing and several beers!

You have to run it backwards if solid matter has plugged the tubes
in the Heater Core - "BACK FLUSHING"

All sorts of "crappola" came out of that heater hose - I know because I had it
drain thru a cloth to see what was in there!

I upped the garden hose pressure a "tad" to be sure I had everything and then
reconnected the heater hoses to the engine.

The heater put out such heat you couldn't believe it!

The particles blocking the Heater Core were rust flakes and one not-so-small
chunk of rubber from a hose - probably in there since day one.

It is worth doing - do it now while it is warm out.

I alway buy a can of Water-Pump Lubricant (hard to find) which is just some
emulsified oil. Helps with rust prevention and lubricates the Water Pump bearing.

That's my 2 cents worth....

DoctorBill

[Irk]

Your thermostat might be stuck open, constantly flowing coolant through your engine. The coolant won't get hot enough to produce hot air for your heater if your thermostat is stuck open. I'd replace the thermostat and flush the radiator and the heater core like DoctorBill said. A thermostat shouldn't cost more than 10 bucks.

[airflo]

thank you very much guys! now i know what's up for the weekend :-)

[DOCTORBILL]

When you are done, be sure to come back here and tell what you did and
most importantly
if it worked or not....

DoctorBill