[Shotimes] Heat/Cooling System problems

[Steve Weinrich]

Sounds like there is air trapped in the system.

Additionally, you also have a coolant leak that is allowing coolant into or
adjacent to the heater box. This leak, in addition to discharging coolant
when the system pressurizes, will allow air to be sucked into the system
when it cools down.

Rx:  Go to AutoZone, deposit $90 for the cooling system pressure test kit
(AZ9300), and pump the system up to 16 psi.  You will find it far easier to
locate the source of the leak with this kit than by inspecting a hot,
operating system.  Once you have identified the source of the leak, repair
it, return the kit and get your $90 back.

If the leak appears to be from the core (coolant flows from evaporator drain
tube below the lower A/C line), inspect (with a flashlight and mirror) the
bottom sides of both heater core hose connections at the firewall.  These
are notorious for leaking and spraying colant into the heater box.

Good luck and keep your fingers crossed that it is not the core.

Steve



----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Barrett" <dougb@ez-net.com>
To: <Shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 4:01 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] Heat/Cooling System problems


> Hello all,
>
> This problem just cropped up a couple weeks ago (when it started getting
> cold).  After starting the engine, I run it for a while (probably 5-10
> minutes) and the temp. gauge climbs.. and climbs... and climbs until it is
> almost touching the H.  Then like magic, I get a nice blast of hot,
> coolant-smelling air out of all the vents in the car and the temp. gauge
> drops almost instantly down to the bottom line (by C).  Up until this
point
> all the vents blow cold (I set the temp. to 90 degrees with the fan on
high
> just to make sure)  I just replaced the thermostat today, also flushed the
> coolant, which neither seemed to take care of the issue.  Could it be the
> heater core?  Possibly water pump?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> -Doug Barrett
> ------
> '93 Silver/Black leather ATX
> 92,000mi
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