2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cold Heater

[Makensmoke]

My heater seems to work worse and worse as time goes by. It doesn't blow very hard and isn't getting very hot if you ask me. Sometimes i'll drive an hour with it maxed out. Is there a cab air filter I don't know about? I've flushed my coolant within the last year and a half.

 

[GAmes]

You may need a grill cover or just a thermostat. Is your temp gage climbing at all? Does the fan work at all speeds?

 

[WestTN]

When it is really cold you can set the system on max-air and turn the temp control all the way over. Below approximately 40 degrees the A/C doesn't kick in, so you will get recirculating heat. Too high a blower speed will just blow the available heat right out the cab flow-through vents.

 

[JJ Jackson]

Its got to be your thermostat, mine did the exact same thing last week. Replaced it, no more cold toes.

 

[Makensmoke]

I replaced the stat when I flushed the system. I don't have a cold front but aren't supposed to need one... ? My stat always shows heat, either when my high idler is on or i'm driving.



Does the heater core water get piped through the engine compartment before reaching the core? Maybe when its -18 it is cooling off quite a bit before its getting to me. I guess this is where a cold front would be handy.



The fan works at all speeds, today i closed some of the dash vents (2) and now it blows out as hard as I would think is normal. No there shouldn't be any critter nests, its parked in my new attached garage all the time.

 

[outlawram]

I hope you dont live up there where it got to -43 the other night. My experience has been the same as yours when it gets real cold. Sometimes it takes 25 minutes to start blowing hot air. I just leave it on low untill my gauge comes UP about 75 degrees or so then crank it up.

 

[Makensmoke]

My house therm. max is at -23. 4. So not quite as cold as the Northern border. Ice fishing the other day for about 5 hours I fired up my truck to hear it 3 cylinder for the first time in 2 years. I guess it doesn't need an overnight soak after all. I drove all the way home with the heat cranked that night, switching back and forth to keep warm and the windows clear.



Maybe I need more patience. My wifes car blows like a hairdryer within minutes of starting it.

 

[GAmes]

Have you removed your fan?

 

[Makensmoke]

cooling fan? I've removed it before to get the rad. out but its back in there now.



Never been behind the dash, so the heater fan remains untouched.

 

[GAmes]

The engine fan. Lots of guys that live in the great white north have posted that they take their's off in the winter. As for the heater fan, it might be a good idea to take it out and check what you can for blockage. I've never had mine out either, but it doesn't look too hard to do.

 

[Makensmoke]

I was thinking about that the other day, I think i'll look into it.



Putting it on max air makes it blow alot harder but the windows steam right up. Maybe my fresh air intake is getting plugged, i'd bet theres a screen on it whereever it is.....

 

[Makensmoke]

I figured it out... I removed my blower fan, stuck my head inside the duct and can see my heater core. Its plugged with 170+K of dust and carpet fibers. Easy fix right, I can't suck it off, its very stuck on there. 3 different vacuums, I tried moistening the silty looking dirt and then sucking to get nothing. I can't hardly get my hand in the hole, much less do any good cleaning, I don't want to bend any fins.



Anybody know where I can find some instructions on r&r the core? If I could get at it better i could clean it, thats all I need to do... she's all plugged up.



note to DC: My brother in laws allison transmission equipped black truck has a in cab air filter.....

 

[Moose Truck]

Smoke, This Month's TDR, That Paper thing that's in the mail, has an article about removing the heater core. From the looks of it, you might want to try something else. Have you tried to revesre blow it out with shop air? Moose

 

[stevegeorge]

Could someone tell me how to get the fan out? Looks simple (I hope) from the passenger side where the fan motor housing sticks down. Looks like maybe just 3 or 4 nuts, or do you have to get alot more involved.

 

[Makensmoke]

Getting it out is easy, just the 3 bolts (one is on the back of course) getting your body in there so you can see and work upside down is the hard part. One thing I learned is get all the tools you need within reach, or invite the neighbor over for a beer while doing this!



It falls right down, 1 electrical connection and a little rubber air tube is it. My blower cage was also a nasty site.



I'm going to have to look in my... . library and see if I still have that insert, now that you say that Moose I remember seeing that too. But i'm also not going to give up on trying to suck it from the blower side, next week i'm going to have more time to try and moisten? the dirt again to try and loosen it.