SPONSORED LINKS

2000 Saturn SL2 car heat not blowing hot

Tiny
MADDIESTWINKLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Had the car warming up for over 20 minutes, the needle goes up to the normal range, but, the heat is barely warm
Thursday, January 8th, 2015 AT 1:07 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
Is it full of coolant?Is the fan running all the time? Can you feel any temperature change when you switch from hot to cols or red to blue on the dash?
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, January 8th, 2015 AT 1:18 PM
Tiny
MADDIESTWINKLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
My son said he thinks the coolant reservoir tank cap/cover needs replacement, that the coolant is slowly seeping out the top, could that be a reason?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-2
Thursday, January 8th, 2015 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
Yes, that can absolutely be the problem, a bad cap not only lets coolant out but it lets air in. And air pockets and a low coolant level both will wreak havoc on the heater output.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, January 8th, 2015 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
MADDIESTWINKLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Great, thanks, he went to get a cap, and crossing fingers that' s all it is ! Already had a radiator and thermostat done in September
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 8th, 2015 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
Great, fill the radiator up to just below the neck and put the cap on it. Then fill the tank to the cold full mark and put the cap on it. Start the vehicle and turn the heat on high and vent. Then run the car at a high idle until the coolant fan cycles on. Then let the car idle and check the fluid level in the tank again and add if necessary. Keep the level between the full cold and full hot markings and you'll be good. Let me know how it works out.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 8th, 2015 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
MADDIESTWINKLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Ok, well, he did all that, and it's blowing slightly warmer, not much, and yes there is a temp difference when switched from hot to cold, he said he was going to (burp?) It with a funnel he has to try and get the air out. If that makes sense
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 9th, 2015 AT 4:32 AM
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
Yes, it makes sense. It could have an air pocket in it. And the fact that the temp changes when you move the selector is a good thing. It rules out a couple things. Are you able to feel the heater hoses going into and out of the heater core and see if there is a big temp difference between the two. Be careful. Does the cooling fan cycle on and off?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 9th, 2015 AT 5:23 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Heater Not Working Content

Heater Not Working
VIDEO
Heater Not Working
Instructional repair video
Heater Not Working
GUIDE
Heater Not Working
Step 1 - A heater cannot operate unless the engine is full of coolant/antifreeze. If coolant level is low check the system for leaks.
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links