Heater not heating

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Mar 15, 2008 | 02:58 PM

A star

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Joined: Nov 2005

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Heater not heating

I have a 94 areostar with 3.0 engine. The heater will only get a little warm ever after the engine has heated up to normal. I recently changed the thermostat and gasket because i noticed a small leak around the theromostat housing. I thought this would make the heater work better. The engine operating temperture improved to normal but the heater simply does not warm the van's insides, even with the heater and fan turned to high. This weekend I drove on a 700 mile trip. On the way back i had to add coolent because the engine temperure showed a little high. It took about a gallon. Any suggeations would be appreciated.

Mar 15, 2008 | 03:07 PM

Pablo-UA

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Kiev, Ukraine

I used to flush my heater core twice....

Mar 15, 2008 | 06:50 PM

Baggins

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Joined: Jul 2005

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I have been dealing with this for a couple of years with my 93.

I completely flushed out the block this winter, and that helped for awhile, but I don't think I got everything out so I'm doing it again this spring.

The core seems to get easily obstructed with the "gunk" that seems to grow in old blocks over time.

Mar 15, 2008 | 08:13 PM

96_4wdr

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: Washington state

pays to flush heater cores both direction with water and air, not over 30 psi
water flow passages are much smaller than those in radiator

later models of Aeros have a vacuum valve in front heater core hose near firewall, these fail or plug

all rear heater aeros have a rear valve located under the floor near the heater that fails or plugs

check that the blend door closes comely and forces all fan air thru the heater core

with engine hot, the heater core should be too hot to hold hand to

Mar 15, 2008 | 08:21 PM

99f350sd

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Joined: May 2003

Posts: 9,303

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From: Lyndonville, Vermont

Took about a gallon? Gosh either its using the stuff or there was air in the system.. Keep an eye on it. You need to check the blend door to make sure its moving in both directions.. Also it wouldn't hurt to remove the both heater hoses and flush the core with a garden hose. Go easy you don't want it to see too much pressure. House pressure can be 60 psi.. if the core is clogged the pressure will build up fast.

Dick