LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

my heater sucks, please help

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Old Nov 9, 2003 | 08:21 PM
  #1  
joshp14's Avatar
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From: Iowa
my heater sucks, please help

my heater has gotten worse since i owned the car. now it blows cool air mixed with the warm air. what are the components of the heater system that could cause this? could the heater core be plugged? anything else?
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 08:28 PM
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Sounds like a clogged heater core. Flushed my yesterday and it's hot enough now to start a little forest fire. This method is easier (to me) than trying to flush it from the back of the fire wall.

Drain Radiator via petcock. Take the inlet and outlet heater off the water pump (left hand side of the water pump housing).
http://www.97ta.com/useless_folder/heatercore1.jpg

Attach garden hose and slowly turn on the water and increase pressure.
http://www.97ta.com/useless_folder/heatercore2.jpg

Make sure it clears the opti before turning on the water. When water turns clear, you are finish. Attach hoses. Fill radiator, heat and bleed.
http://www.97ta.com/useless_folder/heatercore3.jpg
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 10:17 PM
  #3  
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Yeah, I always thought it would be easier to do from the lines at the front. Good proof with the pics.
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 10:20 PM
  #4  
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thanks for the great pics. i'll be sure to tackle this real soon as it's dropping below freezing here now...
Old Nov 10, 2003 | 06:57 AM
  #5  
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I've thought about doing it that way, but I felt like there would be too much prep work and time waiting for the radiator to drain for my patience level. I've flushed my heater core twice now and have done it at the firewall both times. Last year took me about 45 minutes to get the damn clamps off and break the hoses free from the core. This year took me about 20 minutes to do everything start to finish. I put new clamps on too, to make removal easier the next time.
Old Nov 10, 2003 | 08:19 AM
  #6  
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From: Waynesboro, PA
Originally posted by AsianSensation
Sounds like a clogged heater core. Flushed my yesterday and it's hot enough now to start a little forest fire. This method is easier (to me) than trying to flush it from the back of the fire wall.

Drain Radiator via petcock. Take the inlet and outlet heater off the water pump (left hand side of the water pump housing).
http://www.97ta.com/useless_folder/heatercore1.jpg

Attach garden hose and slowly turn on the water and increase pressure.
http://www.97ta.com/useless_folder/heatercore2.jpg

Make sure it clears the opti before turning on the water. When water turns clear, you are finish. Attach hoses. Fill radiator, heat and bleed.
http://www.97ta.com/useless_folder/heatercore3.jpg
Now THAT'S a write up. I need to do this to both of my 93's. One blows semi-warm air and the other......what's hot air???
Old Nov 10, 2003 | 08:51 AM
  #7  
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From: Arlington, VA
Is your vent closing all the way, thats another possibility....
Old Nov 15, 2003 | 08:23 PM
  #8  
taner's Avatar
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From: Windsor, Canada: Home of the FASTEST LT1 & LS1 6 spds :)
should i merely use light hose/water pressure of crank it up? i recently did coolant flush on the wifes Z and it made a huge differnece in the summer a it was running hot.

now it takes forever to warm up, lol!!! i mean after 15 minutes of drving it will finally start to kick out warm air! i think i will try this tomorrow!

thanks for the great detail!
Old Dec 28, 2003 | 06:02 PM
  #9  
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From: El Paso
So if I take it to a shop to do a radiator flush it is the same thing that you are doing now?????
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 06:40 AM
  #10  
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Originally posted by 96redformula7
So if I take it to a shop to do a radiator flush it is the same thing that you are doing now?????
No it is not. When they flush it "professionally" they use a machine that warms up the fluid to operating temperature with the engine off. Then, circulates it through the entire system. It is generally the same procedure, but it is more thorough. You will be fine doing it with the home method. But its up to you. Good Luck!
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 07:07 AM
  #11  
Coolformula's Avatar
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From: Greater Chattanooga TN
I flushed got mine heater core flushed, new t-stat (stock) and still will hardly get warm if its about 55 out it will get lukewarm, I can heare the mix door closing any ideas?
Old Dec 30, 2003 | 09:42 AM
  #12  
AlexsZ's Avatar
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From: Birmingham, AL
What size "plumbing" did you use for this job?
Old Dec 30, 2003 | 11:09 AM
  #13  
96redformula7's Avatar
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READ MY OTHER THREAD I STARTED

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...hreadid=208021
Old Dec 31, 2003 | 09:24 AM
  #14  
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From: Greater Chattanooga TN
I still dont have heat, if i let it warm up 10 min drive ir for 30 and sit still for 10 more its warm not hott for like a 1 min, then turn the fan on high it goes away. I want heat, I tried getting the air out of the systm I use the 2 bleeder screws any method? Im thinking of takinf it to gm im tired of it...
Old Dec 31, 2003 | 02:54 PM
  #15  
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From: Birmingham, AL
Just finished using this method..I now have some steamy hot air!!

Boy, some of that water was just plain mud, I'm glad you guys posted how to do it..thanks!



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