2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech Discuss 2nd generation S-series (1995-2005) general tech topics here.

Heat not working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-09-2012, 02:16 PM
mrspeedy69's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Republic
Posts: 136
mrspeedy69 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Heat not working

I have an 02 4dr blazer that I bought a few months back. Shortly after I bought it I noticed the heat wasn't working. Well it had the old Dex-cool in it so I figured it was clogged up. So I went and flushed it and got a ton of gunk out. Hooked it back up and I had heat.

About a week later I decided to try it again and same thing no heat. Decided to flush the entire system and get the dex-cool out. I had heat again.

About a month later my water pump went out so I replaced it and flushed the entire system again, heat was working just fine and didn't really get any nasty gunk out from that flush.

Yesterday I decided to try the heat and I have nothing again. So I have new coolant, water pump, and thermostat. There were no leaks from when I flushed the heater core either. So I'm not sure what's going on. Is it possibly a bad heater core even though the heat works right after I do a flush on it?
 
  #2  
Old 08-09-2012, 07:49 PM
abig84's Avatar
BF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: munster indiana
Posts: 3,424
abig84 will become famous soon enoughabig84 will become famous soon enough
Default

possibly the heater core is just plain clogged. one way to find out is find the two hoses going into your firewall under the hood. after maybe 10-15 minutes of driving touch each of them. now careful cause they will be hot, if one is hot and the other is warm or cold then the heater core isnt allowing coolant to go through.
 
  #3  
Old 08-09-2012, 08:36 PM
Captain Hook's Avatar
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Belleville, Michigan
Posts: 8,453
Captain Hook is a jewel in the roughCaptain Hook is a jewel in the roughCaptain Hook is a jewel in the rough
Default

If it's sludged up as bad as you say, someone probably added ethylene glycol at one point in time. Might want to check this out: http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...-wrong-coolant

Basically you need to flush each component of the cooling system separately, in both directions: engine block, heater core and radiator. You might need a cooling system chemical cleaner to remove stubborn sludge. Most auto parts stores have it, follow the instructions on the bottle. This will also remove the ethylene glycol. Fill the system with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water. If you can't clean the heater core out, you'll need to replace it...if you want heat.
 
  #4  
Old 08-09-2012, 09:29 PM
mrspeedy69's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Republic
Posts: 136
mrspeedy69 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

If I remember right both hoses are hot. I'll check for sure tomorrow.

Captain, when I say I flushed the system I did do each component of the cooling system separate. So I flushed the heater core by itself and did it reverse flow first then the normal way. Some nasty stuff came out at first but has been clear ever since. It seems to flow just fine as well.
 
  #5  
Old 08-09-2012, 11:16 PM
Rottidog's Avatar
BF Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 2,522
Rottidog has a spectacular aura aboutRottidog has a spectacular aura about
Default

Checked vacuum lines? I know you had heat for a short spell each time & probably not related, but they do cause a lot of issues with our vehicles.
It does sound like something is clogged though, but the things we don't consider may be the issue, is all.
 
  #6  
Old 08-09-2012, 11:56 PM
4x4blazerguy's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 975
4x4blazerguy is on a distinguished road
Smile

Originally Posted by Rottidog
Checked vacuum lines? I know you had heat for a short spell each time & probably not related, but they do cause a lot of issues with our vehicles.
It does sound like something is clogged though, but the things we don't consider may be the issue, is all.
I was kind of thinking the same thing. Is your system a climate control system or just the manual control.
 
  #7  
Old 08-10-2012, 09:56 AM
mrspeedy69's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Republic
Posts: 136
mrspeedy69 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

Originally Posted by 4x4blazerguy
I was kind of thinking the same thing. Is your system a climate control system or just the manual control.
It is the climate control system. I thought maybe a vacuum issue but if it was a vacuum issue wouldn't I not be able to hear it switch? Also, wouldn't it not switch in between the floor vents and the defrost vents? I maybe wrong I don't know much about how all of that works.
 
  #8  
Old 08-11-2012, 03:57 PM
mrspeedy69's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Republic
Posts: 136
mrspeedy69 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

So I take that back the hose going into the pump isn't as hot as the one from the intake. So that makes me think it's a clog. I guess I'll flush it one more time real good and see if that works.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
big_charms@hotmail.com
Lighting & Electrical
0
03-20-2014 10:26 PM
mjw1991
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
2
02-24-2013 10:18 PM
bootlegger
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
4
12-14-2010 05:18 PM
bigdaddykane93
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
21
08-25-2010 11:10 AM
ReLeNtLeSs
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
2
02-06-2007 03:07 AM



Quick Reply: Heat not working



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:30 AM.