Heater discussion

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Russ Waters, Jan 21, 2003.

  1. Russ Waters

    Russ Waters Well-Known Member

    I don't know if this is the right board to post this, but here goes.
    Can anyone go through the entire Buick heater system and isolate any known trouble areas we may encounter?
    After letting my car run for 30 minutes yesterday, it still had cold air blowing through the vents. Cooling system is functioning OK, plenty of fluids, hot water is in the heater hoses. I guess our Hot/Cold switch is a cable operated unit that opens/closes a door under the dash. It feels like mine is OK when I move it but it must be malfunctioning.
    Someone elses'insight is always nice here.

    Russ Waters
     
  2. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    how about the vacuum valve under the hood. (mine sits almost on top of my intake manifold) I'm not sure where the 455 ones are.

    this valve will be on one of the hoses going to the heater core.

    Nate
     
  3. John Eberly

    John Eberly Well-Known Member

    Depends on year, engine, and A/C or non-A/C.

    Best advice I have is to get aa chassis manual for your year car. An electrical tester and a Mity-Vac are a big help too.
     
  4. 71ElectraGuy

    71ElectraGuy New Member

    I have the 1971 manual. Let me know if you need anything from it I can scan them +email them to you.

    Asiniscal@yahoo.com
     
  5. Mark Ascher

    Mark Ascher 65GS.com

    Heater Core

    If everything seems to be functioning correctly, Try backflushing the heater core. Sometimes they can get plugged, hence, no heat. Sometimes the backflush is a permenent fix, other times its temporary, and the core needs replacing.


    Mark
     
  6. lcac_man

    lcac_man Hovercraft Technician

    Check the cable ends, if the plastic mounts are broken (pretty common) it will feel like its working but all you'll be doing is pushing the cable isulation around.
    While I'm on this subject, are these heater/defrost control cables reproduced? One of mine is broken and the other looks like its ready to go.
     
  7. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

    no heat

    A few years ago I had a problem with my 72 GS that I put a 462 cid in. The heater hoses were hot and the system was flowing good. had a new thermostat put in and checked the temp of the water flowing through the radiator but, still no heat. Even flushed the heater core.After driving around for 2 weeks with Carhartts on, I decided to look further and found that some mice had got in the car and pulled the kick panel insulation out and made a nice nest around the heater core keeping the air from blowing through it to blow heat.This is not the easiest job to do but, may be your problem.
    Hope this helps.
    Pat:confused:
     
  8. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

    no heat

    A few years ago I had a problem with my 72 GS that I put a 462 cid in. The heater hoses were hot and the system was flowing good. had a new thermostat put in and checked the temp of the water flowing through the radiator but, still no heat. Even flushed the heater core.After driving around for 2 weeks with Carhartts on, I decided to look further and found that some mice had got in the car and pulled the kick panel insulation out and made a nice nest around the heater core keeping the air from blowing through it to blow heat.This is not the easiest job to do but, may be your problem.
    Hope this helps.
    Pat:confused:
     
  9. skitzofrenic66

    skitzofrenic66 What's an Import?

    i had to bipass my heater hose shut off valve in my heater hose return line between the thermostat and my heater core. what the whole valve is supposed to do is block hot water from going into your heater core when you use the a/c. it was stuck closed and thus blocking hot water from entering the system. my heater blows hot now.
     
  10. Russ Waters

    Russ Waters Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all of the replies. Pat's mice problem is one I am going to have to check first as I had one living in the car for a few weeks before I found out about it. Insulation was everywhere, and yes, I got the little critter.....
    I'll let everyone know what I find.
    Russ
     

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