Car's Heater?

Question

My car's radiator is leaking, engine got heated up as there was no coolant left, I ordered a new radiator but to make sure engine dont burn itself I have put plain water instead of coolant until I receive my radiator, now I see I dont get heat in my car, may be because water is not good at transfering heat to heating coil or do I need to get my heating system checked ?
I dont remember whether it was working or not when there was no leak in the radiator!

Answer 1

avanging bride sounds correct........that sounds like the heater core is clogged. water does transfer heat fine. antifreeze is used to lower the freezing point of water/coolant mix, and lubricate the coolant system parts.....water pump. we use water only in our racecars and it transfers heat just fine. but on the street, you need a water/antifreeze mix

Answer 2

never use plain water in radiators. Water doesn't transfer heat fast enough.

Answer 3

your heater core is prob clogged. especially if you put stop leak in the rad. if you have a mid 90's & up gm with dex cool (orange coolant) they had a problem with it jelling up in the heater cores mostly aluminum ones. get some prestone super flush and follow directions exactly. replace thermostat and refill with regular antifreeze (green)

Answer 4

you need to use antifreeze regardless. and you have to add it while the car is running until the thermostat opens a couple of times in order to fill the block with coolant also.

Answer 5

definatly get ur heating system checked. even plain water should heat up ur heater

Answer 6

Sounds like a possibe air lock. Bleed it properly or get it looked at.