Heater not working

2007 SATURN AURA
105,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
TEROLICRA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi,

I really appreciated your answer to a person whose auto lost. On you site there is a question; heat every time the car stopped moving, even though it was well warmed up. You said:

"Okay, this sounds like your vehicle's water pump could be going out. In the diagrams down below I have included the instructions for the removal and installation of your vehicle's water pump from the vehicle manufacturer."

This just started happening (a week or so). I really need to know the least expensive way to fix the problem because I live on fixed income and my account is low. If it's not too complicated I might be able to get my son to try his hand on it.

Could you let me know how much the part costs (I couldn't locate it on Amazon). Also, if I had to take it to a repair shop, what should I expect to pay for labor.

Thank you. Terri
Jan 21, 2020 at 7:30 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,855 POSTS
Hello,

The heater not working when at idle could be low coolant or the heater core is plugged up, does the cooling system look clean with fresh coolant? I don't want to see you do a pump if it does not fix it. When the engine is cold please check the coolant level in radiator. these videos will help:

https://youtu.be/GSE9skKnOgY

and

https://youtu.be/SNRb6pSwYuU

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Here is the cost of the water pump and a link to get the pump for $40.00 on Amazon just in case:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YMPO48/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B003YMPO48&linkId=507f5881c1a53708aad89237d76edd5f


Water pump, remove and replace hours labor 2.6 at $90.00 = $234.00.

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Jan 21, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Avatar
TEROLICRA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I couldn't wait for an opportunity to use your tips because my time was running out to get my sticker. Whatever the problem was, it cost me $120.00, not counting the cost of the sticker. The mechanic said it was the valve cover gasket. Does that make sense to you?
Jan 29, 2020 at 2:04 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
TEROLICRA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I'm getting good heat, though! :))
Jan 29, 2020 at 2:06 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,855 POSTS
It sounds like the engine was low on coolant and he refilled it when doing the valve cover gasket. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
Jan 30, 2020 at 9:14 AM
Avatar
TEROLICRA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
If there was a leak of the coolant, is that fixed by repairing or replacing the valve cover gasket?
Jan 31, 2020 at 4:28 AM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,855 POSTS
No, coolant has nothing to do with the valve cover. This guide can help tell more:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down this guide and report back.
Feb 1, 2020 at 10:36 AM