Just had a cold snap move in where I live and my heat just started going crazy. It is mostly cooler air coming out of the vents but the heat does come in short spurts. Is my heat exchanger starting to go? or is there something else going on?

If it is the heat exchanger, anybody know what they run new and if its worth getting one from the junker.

Anybody replaced one before? any suggestions?

Appreciate any help.

Also, My temp gauge just starting going haywire at the same time. Could this be connected?

 

check your coolant level.

 

I will check the coolant in the morning. How does the coolant play into the heat?

I don't know how the heat system works. Is the coolant a medium to transfer heat from the engine to the cab?

 

yup.. if the coolant level gets low, it will not maintain flow into the heater core, thus no heat in the cab. Basically it flows hot coolant through a hose to the heater core, under the dash, then returns it to the system through another hose. Temp is then controlled by airflow over/through the heater core for heat.

Also the coolant temp sensor must have contact with coolant to read properly. If the level gets below the sending unit, but still has enough to flow over it occasionally, it will read erratically.

Lemme know what the level is at, we'll go from there, but from what your describing I think your low on coolant. If thats the case, next is to find out where it's going, as that can be bigger problems...If your level is full, next check is actual flow.

 

Thanjs BChance for the help. I will check it out tomorrow and let you know what I find