My car's heater isn't working that good anymore. What gives??

Question

My car is a 2001 Mercury Cougar. (no remarks about the car brand, please) I just noticed yesterday that as long as I am going 40mph then the heater works fine. But when I stop at a red light the air turns cold and does not immediately heat up again when I go. It will usually take a mile or so for it to warm up. This is not like my car. The heater used to work when the motor was on and the car was in park or stopped. Will I need to take this in to a mechanic? How much will this cost? Or is there something else I can do myself to fix this problem?

Answer 1

Hey Laura Lou,

Check your coolant level.. green liquid under the car? A pressure check at the radiator shop will tell you exactly where the leak is located.

Is your carpet floor wet, smell sweet smells when the heater is on?.... leak in the heater core.

The thermos stat is possible, what does the temp Gage read... cold? Last possibility is your water pump ....any funny noises from under the hood?

Many things you can do... Each person will give different advice. I would go to automotivefourms.com and see what you can learn. I have found that to be very helpful.

Spidey

Answer 2

Check coolant level in radiator and reservoir container. Consider replacing the thermostat.
Your heating system may need a high pressure flush/blowout that can be done by a reputable auto repair or radiator repair shop. Sometimes the heater core gets plugged with a sludge like rusty material when the coolant is old and needs replaced. A high pressure flush removes this sludge and gets the circulation of the heated anti-freeze moving again.
I would guess you can figure on spending a minimum of $100-$150 to get this problem resolved if it isn't more complicated than this.
That would be labor+parts(s) and new anti-freeze/coolant. This is only a guess. A reputable repair shop can give you a good ballpark figure once they are TOLD BY YOU what you are experiencing with your car. I'm sorry about the potential cost but that's life. Good luck...... Tell them the same thing you described here, sounds like a good diagnosis on your behalf.

Answer 3

sounds like your thermostat is sticking in the hose at the top of your engine....It is only about maximum a $10.00 item and can be put in by yourself if you have any basic knowledge about cars at all. It is available at any auto parts supplier nd should take no more than 25 minutes to remove and re-install the new thermostat. The actual t/stat is only held into place by the 2 bolts at end of the hose from rad to top of engine area and do not forget to clean area and replace the gasket under t/stat too..

Answer 4

Thermostat

Answer 5

Its either a thermostat or low colant level.

Thermostats are cheap less than $10.00 (for the part) and its and easy fix.

Answer 6

First thing i would do is check the coolant level. If it is low it may cause that. Also your thermostat may be stuck open and should be replaced.

Answer 7

it's probably the thermastat or it could just be low on water (in your radiatior) check the water level and if it's not low a machnic should put in a new thermostat fairly cheep.

Answer 8

sounds like a bad thermostat it very easy to fix i might take a whole five minutes if you get a service manual (Chilton's,Haynes) it will explain how to do it

Answer 9

my truck did same last year..it was fixed with new thermostat...now its doing it again..im gona get the thing flushed and replace the thermo again..I hope its not the waterpump.

Answer 10

Do you have enough antifreeze?
Your thermostat may need replaing.