1996 Chevrolet Caprice Heat problem

Tiny
LMARTIN22
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
  • 200,000 MILES
We have replaced the thermostat(2 times), water pump, radiator and heater core and I still don't get very much heat in the passengers compartment. I had a auto repair shop look at it and they are ones that replaced the thermostat again and they don't seem to know why it doesn't throw good heat. The heat gage only goes up about a third of the way. Is there any solution that we have not tried?
Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 AT 1:51 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Do you live in an extremely cold region? If so, you may have trouble getting enough heat? I figure the normal operating temp is about 220 degrees F or better. I'd have to use an infra red temp sensor to double check your temp gage.

Are the heater hoses hot? Does the blower motor put out plenty of air? I didn't look to see if your radiator fan is belt driven or electric? If the fan is electric, does it run all the time, does it ever come on.

Could be a temp door or directional door under the dash that has a problem? If the shop couldn't diagnose your problem, I'm not sure what I can do except make suggestions?
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Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
LMARTIN22
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The mechanic check the temp and said it was at 110 and that the vents under the dash were working. The fan has a belt, I don't know how much it runs. Both hoses were hot and the blower blows a lot of air into the passenger compartment. I looked online to a video and it showed that there is an adaptor on one of the hoses that could be partly clogged. Can you say anything about that?
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Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Are you sure he said 110 degrees F on a fully warmed up engine? That isn't close to right. If your using a 195 degree thermostat as an example, the engine temp would be over 200 degrees F before the thermostat would even be fully open.

Maybe I misunderstood, but, something isn't right about that engine temp?
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Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just wanted to add, 110 c equals about 230 F, that sounds better if your talking 110 Celsius? If both heater hoses are plenty hot, and the heater core is hot, sounds like the problem is under the dash. Just my opinion.
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Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
LMARTIN22
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  • 3 POSTS
I don't know what kind of thermometer he used only that he said 110 degrees.
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Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I don't know what to say. 110 degrees F on a fully warmed engine, can't be right. Usually in the US, we use Fahrenheit, well I do.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 9:59 AM

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