1999 Chrysler Sebring low heat output

RJC1219

MEMBER
1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
151,000 MILES

I ran the car for several miles after installing a 170 degree thermostat and the temp guage in the car shows just above 3/8 of the scale(not close enough to half).
The upper heater hose is warm but not hot and the lower hose seems to be too cool.
I removed the radiator hose from the fill assembly and poured coolant in the radiator hose while the engine was hot and the fluid came out the fill assembly, so it has a full block and radiator (unless it needs bleeding) does it need to be bled and if so how?
The coolant resevoir has plenty of coolant and no loss of coolant (no leaks).
No rust in the coolant system, no clogged htr core

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

If there is a bleeder on the system, it will be on or near the thermostat housing. Also, the factory thermostat is 195 ° F. That is why it isn't heating up as much as you would like to see it. As as the heater core hoses, did you try to flush the heater core?

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 AT 1:45 PM

RJC1219

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Parts store had only a 170 thermostat and the highest they have is a 180(when its in stock).
I didnt find a bleeder on the car or in a book so I ran the car for about an hour and waited for the t stat to open and kept adding coolant.
There was a large drop in fluid level whenever the tstat opened, the fan came on at the same time.
As I waited for the tstat to open I could sometimes see bubbles come up.
The heat kept increasing in the cab but the temp guage never quite made half way and decreased to just above 3/8 of the guage whenever the tstat
opened.
Have plenty of heat
I dont think a 2.5 liter has a bleeder port and the book doesnt show one for any but a 2.7, 3.7 and something else I cant remember.
Thanks for the response!

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 AT 6:15 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

You did exactly what you should do without the bleeder. The only thing I can say about the temp gauge is the t-stat you used. It shouldn't hurt anything.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 AT 11:39 PM