2010 Chevrolet Impala Heater Issue

Tiny
JACK34
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 53,000 MILES
I am trying to figure out why my heater only warms up when the gas pedal is pressed or when the car is moving. The heat will blow cool air when idol, i.E. Stopped at red light or idol with engine running. I have been told various things, mostly dealing with the radiator, either low on coolant, possible leak, or clog in the hose. Please help me, I live on the east coast, this snow is no joke.
Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 7:08 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So is your coolant full?When your engine is up to operating temp are both you're hewter hoses going into the firewall too hot to hold?
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
JACK34
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  • 12 POSTS
I am not sure where the hose is going to. I havent checked to see if my coolant is full or not, (how do I check, I dont see a guage) that is my best guess, I can also hear a liquid like sound when I rev up the engine when parked. I also had my actuator replaced back in 2012, would that have anything to do with it?
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Which actuator did you replace?Also if you check the hoses I told you to that will tell you if you have proper flow thru your heater core.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
JACK34
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I cant remember which one they replaced, all I remember was a random loud clicking noise in my dash. Ill check the hoses when I get home.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 10:20 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That would be your blend door or your recirculation actuator.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 10:23 AM
Tiny
JACK34
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  • 12 POSTS
Ok that sounds about right. What could be the worse case senario for my heater situation, and what could my cost be?
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
FREEMBA
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  • 1,152 POSTS
I hope that this picture will open for you. Sorry about the last one.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Lets figure out whats going on before we plan the repair.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
JACK34
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  • 12 POSTS
So from looking at the picture I was sent, I know to wait until the engine cools down to open the radiator cap, but how exactly do I gauge the coolant level? The other reply was deleted.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The level should be up to the filler neck under the radiator cap. The overflow bottle should be up to the line on the side of the bottle.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
JACK34
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If needed to be filled what kiind of coolant should I use, the guy at the auto parts store told me that a certain kind of coolant could cause a clog if mixed with another kind
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You would use gm dexcool in that car.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Mix it 50 50 with distiled water or you can get the premixed stuff.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
JACK34
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Rgr that, thanks I will talk with you soon if more help is needed
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
JACK34
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So I checked out my radiator fluid level, it's looks pretty dry, I can see inside the entire fill jug. So do I add coolant?
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If you're radiator overflow tank is empty fill it to the full mark also if your radiator is low fill it up. Also look for leaks or dry coolant residue where the coolant may have leaked out and dryed somewhere.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 10:16 AM

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