Heating Problem

NORD68

MEMBER
2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
115,000 MILES

I own a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country with 115,000 miles and for the last 2 or 3 years have been having problems getting the heat to blow hot through the vents. Only after driving for 30 to 40 minutes does the van start to warm up. Now, the rear heater seems to not have this problem, but it still takes up to the same amount of time to get it rolling hot! I've replaced the thermostat twice; had the water pump changed about 10,000 miles ago and I'm constantly checking to make sure it has enough radiator fluid. I'm just at a loss as to what else it could be. I don't think it's the heater core because it doesn't make any noises or have any problems working. Now if the weather is around 35 to 40 degrees outside, the van will work as it should and give plenty of heat. So why does it only have this problem when then temperature drops below 30 degrees?

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

When it happens, is the engine running at a normal operating temp? Also, with the engine running, hot, and the heater on, do both heater core hoses get hot?

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Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 6:14 PM

NORD68

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Yes, it always runs at normal and both hoses get hot. I noticed the other day that the pipe that connected on the lower side of the radiator to the firewall (the metal one) seemed to be rusting out and it looked like it had some sort of protective coating that used to be around it. It sits so low to the ground right there that I thought this pipe could be the reason it's losing so much heat, but an engine runs so hot that this area shouldn't be a concern. I'm going to replace the pipe after Christmas anyways - it looks like it might rust through at any time.