why is my car heater blowing out not very warm air?

Question

just got the coolant system flushed & oil pan gasket changed & when i got the car back it was leaking antifreeze a little-i took it back to the place & the people said that a hose had a small hole in it-so i had to spend another $200 to get that fixed- but the heater still isnt blowing very warm air & the temp gage sits a little on the cool side-it doesnt overheat- anyone know what this might be?- also is it possible that this place messed the car up?? it never leaked or ran cold before this- thanks

Answer 1

Your thermostat is stuck open!

I'd really question taking it back to the same place that "found" your coolant leak and you had to spend an additional $200 to fix that. ($200 sounds steep, what did they change out for you for $200)

However the most likely cause of a heater not working, and the temperature gauge sitting on the "cool" side is that the thermostat that is suppose to be closing when the engine get's too cool and opening when the engine is hot is stuck in the open all the time position.

Get the thermostat changed out. The part should be about $10. For most cars this should take MAX 1 hour of labor, but it depends on the car and if the thermostat is hidden or difficult to get to.

I don't believe it was the people that did the flush that caused the problem. (Unless they changed your thermostat for you when they did the coolant flush). In which case I'd question if they used the proper thermostat (thermostats have different temperatures for when they open and maybe they replaced it with a thermostat that opens at a lower temperature) or if they even forgot to install it.

However better for the engine to run cool than for it to run TOO hot.

After you replace the thermostat you should also notice a slight mileage improvement as a car operates optimally at a specific temperature, and one that is too cool will cause you to have a lower gas mileage.

Answer 2

IF they took out the thermostat or is stuck open it will run 2 cool or sometimes 2 hot - depends on the engine-IF the heater control is bad or blocked , u will have no heat-CHECK both sides of the heater core hoses by feeling them.THEY both should b hot @ almost the same temperature.IF not then the Heater core could be BLOCKED even if it was flushed - DID they BACK Flush the Cooling system ?? Sound 2 me U need 2 contact Consumer Affairs IF they didn't FIX what U took it in for..Or & the Better Business Burea !!! & U had NO leaks B4- VERY STRANGE u had them AFTER they supposedly (fixed the car)

Answer 3

change the thermostat.it is probably stuck open.wow,you say you spent $200 for a hose,they sure seen you coming.

Answer 4

Thermostate needs to be replace. Hope that does it for you.