heating not working on my old vauxhall?

Question

.....and, with the temp going down, its blooming cold in the morning.
air blows out, i can increase and decrease speed of blower, but it's stone cold

anyone know any thing easy to check?

anyone know what the problem may be?

if I have to get it to a mechanic any ideas on the cost
very, very rough ball-park figure - I am in the UK

Answer 1

Once your sure the coolant is full and the engine thermostat is allowing the engine to get to 200 deg F at the thermostat housing, then you turn the heat on high with a hot idling engine in Park and feel of the heater hoses on the passenger side firewall . If one is real hot and the other much colder, you know the heater core is not flowing fully and is clogged. Then you need to have a new heater core installed under the dash. If both hoses are hot, then the control air blend doors etc under the dash are the problem or possibly a plugged cabin filter or other blockage under the dash.
http://www.automedia.com/Heater_Care/ccr20031201hc/1

Answer 2

The first thing I would check is your radiator fluid level. If you have low fluid level, then you will not get antifreeze to the heater core (no heat). If the radiator is full, then the next logical move would be to check for an obstruction in the heater lines or a faulty heater control valve that isn't opening when the control inside the car is actuated. The valve is usually actuated by either a cable or in some cars a vacuum hose connection (a vacuum leak will cause it to malfunction). Either way, locate the valve (usually under the hood) which will be connected to one of the heater hoses going to the heater core under the dash. I would bet on an inoperative heater control valve. Good luck.

Answer 3

First, check your coolant in the radiator. If it is low, the car will not blow heat. If the level is alright, then it most likely is the heater control valve lat allows the heated coolant from the radiator circulate through the heater core.

If that is the problem, then the cost of the valve and an hour labour is what you will pay. I am in the USA so I do not have knowledge of cost of parts or labour

Answer 4

First check your water level ! assuming its ok then there is a themostat in the water cooling system (engine compartment) that opens when the water gets hot - about 85 C . This allows hot water through to your blower heater - the themostat can be checked by removing it and boiling it in a pan of water - when the water gets hot you sholud see the bi metalic valve open.Full details available in a haynes manual that you can borrow from a library if you dont have one.Replacement themostat £15.00 i guess or get one cheaper by going to a scrap yard.

Answer 5

Under the bonnet there are two hoses going from engine to bulkhead just under windscreen, feel outside of hoses when engine has been running about ten minutes, if only one feels hot your problem probably lies in faulty flow valve on heater unit, operated by red/blue controller on dash.

Answer 6

It's not a big job, just don't take it to a Vauxhall dealer, take it to a good reputable garage. Sounds like the thermostat has gone so will need replacing

Answer 7

feel the heater hoses if they are hot it could be your thermostat if it is it shouldn't be an expensive job to change one.

Answer 8

i had this with my frontera,it was the thermostat,i bought one for a tenner,and fitted it...which is saying something for me as im no mechanic,so if i can do it so can you.