I am getting very little heat out of the heater

1995 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN
58,000 MILES
Avatar
CHARLES LOOTENS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi,
I have no problems with over heat of the engine. No water in the oil or oil in the water so, I do not think it's the head gasket. The van runs great! The temp gauge waw running very low, I put in a new thermo, did not help. The instrument gauge runs very low but higher than before. I checked the water temp with a food thermo, 170deg. I had a time bleeding the air out of the system when I changed the thermo. I am wonder if I still have air in the heater system. Do you have to bleed that in the back someplace? What in the world am I missing? What service manual do you recommend? Thanks for the help.

C. Lootens
Dec 12, 2011 at 2:09 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
RIVERMIKERAT
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 6,110 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Haynes or Chiltons. They're usually less than $20 at stores like Autozone, O'Reilly, Pep Boys, and Advanced.

Do the hoses leading to and from the heater core both get hot?
Dec 12, 2011 at 2:14 AM
Avatar
EXOVCDS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 1,883 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I know this is an old post, but if someone else is reading this...

Could be faulty heater flaps, more specifically missing foam on the
flaps. When the foam is missing, air flow can not be directed as it
just passes through the holes in the flaps (see attached image).

Removal of heater box & disassembly will be necessary to fix problem.

Look through the floor heater vents too see if flaps are missing
foam insulation.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Professional Diagram for 2CarPros Members
Click here to log in and view diagram.
Feb 26, 2012 at 8:25 PM
Avatar
EXOVCDS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 1,883 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I worked on a 1995 Cabrio yesterday... had the same problem, lack
of heat.

I turned the blower on high and saw foam pieces fly out of the vents.

This is a common problem on older VWs.
Mar 10, 2012 at 9:19 PM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.