No heat

Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Greetings, I was told my head gasket leaking to come to this conclusion they changed the coolant and bleeding. The thermostat is okay. The heater core is okay quoted for $1,400.00 to $2,500.00. Any chance could be something else?
Thank you
Thursday, February 20th, 2020 AT 9:33 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Yes, it could be from a leaking head gasket allowing air into the system.

Did they do a leak down test to confirm the head gasket?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

It could also be a clogged heater core as well. Did they clean the heater core?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Roy
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Friday, February 21st, 2020 AT 4:10 AM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thank you!
I don't know if a leak down test was done or not. The final result was the coolant in the radiator was bubbling at the end of the test. (Bleeding test was done )The rest of the tests, thermostat and heater core was okay. Test time was 1 hour.
The gauge on the dash board does not show overheating stays on the middle now, usually slightly less 1/8 inch. As being very cold few days 5 F I was turning the key halfway for 10 or 15 seconds stop, waited 15 -20 seconds then started the car to warm the coil.
Never seen the van overheating as mentioned above. During oil change (2,500 miles) all liquids inspected no problems. Do not hear any noise coming from the engine bit rough for few minutes at start being outside over night in cold.
Thank you !
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Friday, February 21st, 2020 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, 1 hour is not enough time to do a leak down test at all.

When the head gasket leaks, the usual indication is the gauge will go up and down constantly.

I would get a second opinion.

Roy
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Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 AT 1:21 AM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thank you.
Going to get a second opinion. Very good to know that the gauge will go up and down constantly! Thank you again.
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Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Feel free to write a review for us on google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2carpros&gs_ivs=1#lrd=0x80dcd47364be5d0d:0xba091aa4209f4497,1,,,&tts=0

And

https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/2carpros.com

Roy
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Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Greetings,

Got 2nd opinion it is the blend door was told that the dash needs to be removed (2006 Pontiac Montana SV6) big job was directed to a rapid rad.
The van does not overheat, no smoke , as how much would cost to get an estimate?

Thank you !
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Greetings,

Have read the related heater problems can't see if the dash needs to be removed?
Thank you!
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon,

If you have a single zone which means you do not have left and right control, the dash does not have to be removed.

The estimate is not high at all. It pays about 1 hour plus the part.

Roy

1. Remove the driver side knee bolster.
2. Locate the air temperature actuator (6).
3. Disconnect the air temperature actuator electrical connector (7).

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

4. Remove the air temperature actuator bolts/screws (1).
5. Remove the air temperature actuator (2).
6. Remove the air temperature actuator lever (3), if necessary.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Greetings Previously mentioned that first diagnosis was head gasket, The second time the blend door. Have postponed the blend door job. Today the van overheated stopped the van right away. Coolant in the reservoir suddenly got filled up small air bubble the size of a dime was coming from the hose one after the other into the reservoir. If the head gasket is really the problem wonder for a month had no overheating.
Thank you very much !
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

That does sound like the head gasket. The air bubbles are the give away.

Did you have the leak down test done?

Roy
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
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Thank you ! All I was told first time that has changed the coolant and done the bleeding raved the car for long time and said that the coolant bubbling. Left and for a month drove the van as was not overheating at all normal temp. Gauge. Second opinion is the blend door.. Have mentioned that in cold temperature before starting the van turned the key half way to warm the coil and waited 30 seconds before start. Does this effects anything?
Thank you again !
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
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Warm the coil? What coil?

Holding for 30 seconds does not heat up anything.

Roy
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I don't know exactly the is called "coil" but was told If turning half way the key (but not starting the car) and wait until the.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No, that information is inaccurate. There is nothing to heat up by turning the keys as stated.

Roy
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Was told in cold weather turn the key half way till the guage on the dash goes up then stop turn back the key or take it out then wait 20 or 30 seconds. Then start the car. This way is warmed the engine instead a cold start. I understand is a "coil " that makes warmer.
Thank you !
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
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Thank YOU ! So doing that can damage anything related to the engine?
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No, it will not damage anything at all. It just does not do anything at all for heat. That is produced only by the engine.

Roy
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Greetings Roy.

The van when is in idle is not over heating but soon as driving overheats. Seen another mechanic this is the third one saying that is head the gasket.
Thank you
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Monday, March 30th, 2020 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
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I agree with him. That was my thought in the beginning.

Roy
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Monday, March 30th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
ROBERT KATZ2
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Thank you !
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Monday, March 30th, 2020 AT 5:22 PM

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