2005 Chevy Impala Intermittent heat

LISCOTT555

MEMBER
2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
82,000 MILES

The heater in my 05 Impala only works intermittently. It blows hot while warming up in the morning, and while accelerating, but when you come to a stop, or go downhill, it blows cold. The temp gauge consistently stays in the acceptable range, and the car does not overheat. There is also a strong gasolilne smell inside the car while the heater is running. Any ideas?

2 Replies

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

The gasoline smell inside of the car would be a separate issue from your heat. But I strongly suggest you have that checked immediately. Because that could be coming from exhaust gases, and it'll kill you, for sure!

As for your heat, you definitely have air in your system. Because you have heat during start-up and on acceleration, you can eliminate any mechanical failures in your climate control/cooling system.

Now you have to figure out why air is entering your cooling system.

Here is a list of possible causes:
Leaking water pump
leaking radiator
leaking intake gasket
blown head gasket

To check for external leaks, run your engine until it reaches operating temp. Then look around on the ground for any anti-freeze. Also look under the hood around the engine for any signs.

If you don't have any external leaks, then it's internal. (Blown head gasket or intake gasket)

Remove your oil dip stick. If your oil looks white, like a milk shake, then your intake gasket is blown. If not:

Take the cap off of your surge tank (While cold), throttle the engine to at least 1,500 r.P.M.S. Look inside the surge tank for large air bubbles. If you see any, it's a blown head gasket.

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Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 AT 9:28 PM

4LABS

MEMBER
1 POST

I have the same problem except, I will drive to work and just before getting there, the heater blows cold air. Only seems to happen when the temp outside is 10 degrees or lower. But the drive home (car sits for 10 hours) the heat is fine. Had the problem checked at the local Garage, tech thought it was blown head gasket. Brought to a Experience GM Tech, could fine nothing wrong. You can check youself if the head gasket is bad, there is coolant bleader by the thermostat, you will get a little air. But if it blowns a steady stream, you have a head gasket problem.

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