coolant/heat issues

[Joe G]

So the first time i took the car out, it got hot(i forgot to bleed the coolant). I pulled over, shut the car off, and my expansion tank was overflowing like a mofo. I let the car cool down for 15 or so mins and then drove home (2miles) at around 50mph with the hood popped, and heat blasting. At this time the heat was blowing hot air.

The next day i bled the coolant and took the car for a drive (45 mins) and it ran fine, no getting hot (temp gauge needle at about 5 degrees past vertical). But now the cars heat isnt working. Whats the issue?

[nomansland92]

You might still have an air pocket. I had this problem for a long time.

[FredK]

It could be that your thermostat failed in the open position due to the overheating. Replace it and bleed the system again.

Godspeed.

[Joe G]

If the car isnt overheating am i giving anything up/doing any damage aside from not being able to warm up the cabin on a cold and lonely night?

[ck_taft325is]

It's a bitch, but try dropping the coolant out and checking your thermostat. Hot pan of water, meat thermometer and see when it opens up (if it does at all).

Replace if it needs and then bleed the system again. My vote is probably an air bubble. Are you loosing coolant at all? Is your driver's side foot well nice and dry?

[Joe G]

Everything is dry. But if the car isn't overheating, and I'm getting no heat I'm not at risk of doing any harm right?

[ck_taft325is]

As long as the coolant isn't disappearing and there's no white smoke, etc, you should be fine. I would keep investigating why you're not getting heat though. Could be a heater core valve is stuck or any number of issues. BUT, if you're not over heating, there's no Houdini coolant... you're good to drive. All cold and lonely.

[Joe G]

well the coolant level does go down little by little, so im going to check all my hose clamps tomorrow and see if there is in fact a leak. But there is no white smoke, and when it goes down its only a little bit at a time.

[samiam3356]

Had a similar issue and my spider hose was colapsing by the firewall. Didn't notice until I was under the car and happen to look up and see it. Ended up having to put some clamps on it to keep it from colapsing.

[Mr.SWISS]

Head top
Spider bottom

[MR 325]

Head top
Spider bottom

Exactly, make sure your heater hoses aren't backwards.

Otherwise, bleed it again. There's no reason the heater shouldn't work and it's good to have it available.

[MattM]

Head top
Spider bottom

umm, try again?;)

[Mr.SWISS]

umm, try again?;)