Author Topic: Heat sucks in my 86 toyota...please help BRRRRRRRRRRR!! (Read 3933 times)

toomanytoyzz · « **on:** Dec 06, 2005, 06:51:17 PM »

The temp gauge will barely rise above the C mark. I've changed the thermostat, but it still has crappy heat. It will heat up if I take it on the highway. The temp gauge will also rise just above the c mark, but as soon as I get off the highway it starts cooling down. Is my heater core clogged? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Duffil · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 06, 2005, 07:15:40 PM »

Your heater core would not have that much effect on engine temp, and if it was clogged, youd get NO heat thru it. What kind of stat did you put in it? I've seen brand new ones stick open. What temp was it. Should be 195*. Are you running stock fan clutch or electric fan? Clutch could be locked up, pulling air thru all the time, or if its electric, it could be stuck on, but you'd probably notice the noise. Also, what kind of gauge is on it? Stock, or mechanical gauge?

toomanytoyzz · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 06, 2005, 07:49:46 PM »

Quote from: Duffil on Dec 06, 2005, 07:15:40 PM

Your heater core would not have that much effect on engine temp, and if it was clogged, youd get NO heat thru it. What kind of stat did you put in it? I've seen brand new ones stick open. What temp was it. Should be 195*. Are you running stock fan clutch or electric fan? Clutch could be locked up, pulling air thru all the time, or if its electric, it could be stuck on, but you'd probably notice the noise. Also, what kind of gauge is on it? Stock, or mechanical gauge?

The truck is 100% stock including the fan clutch and the gauge. The thermostat was a cheapy Autozone one.

Duffil · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 06, 2005, 07:54:07 PM »

Take it back. Either have them warranty it and get a new one free, or go to Toyota and get a factory one, or NAPA and ask for a SuperStat. also, make sure you bleed the air from the system.

BigMike · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 06, 2005, 07:59:17 PM »

Quote from: toomanytoyzz on Dec 06, 2005, 07:49:46 PM

The thermostat was a cheapy Autozone one.

Come on man, don't go cheap with the thermostats. Even if it is double the price, never settle for anything less than genuine Toyota. Now you have to replace it again. So you saved $5. But wouldn't you give $5 right now if you could just fix it that easy?

Anyways, this is especially the case if this is a 3RZ or a newer Toyota engine, as some use "cold" theromostats rather than hot ones. They place the theromostat on the cold return side of the radiator, and the hot side out of the engine is a direct line to the top of the radiator. And when I got a Deck theromostat, yes, it was a 195 degree, but it is supposed to be like a 90 degree or something like that. It is controlled on the cold side.

But since this is the 79-95 thread, I'll just talk smack on your autozone theromostat.

As for your cooling fan, even if it is an electric fan that is on 100% of the time or a clutch fan that is on 100% of the time, and you are driving on the freeway, it will always warm up to normal operating temperature, unless it is 20 degrees below zero or something like that.

Regards,
BigMike

colsoncj · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 07, 2005, 06:56:35 AM »

My fan clutch is stuck on right now 100% of the time, and within 10 miutes i've got a warm interior.... sounds like a t-stat problem!

MiniSimp · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 07, 2005, 07:13:39 AM »

You can also test your thermostat by putting it in a pot of boiling water with a thermometer and see what temp it opens at.

All_Set · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 07, 2005, 09:35:57 AM »

I don't trust toy temp gauges. Just because it's moving doesn't mean it's working correctly. So temp gauge aside, to get hot air out of your heater try these:

195 stat. from Toyota.
Test rad cap. should be 13 lb cap.
Back flush cooling system. (buy a kit)
Use coolant.
Burp cooling system properly. (get ALL the air out)

Good luck!

Cheesemaker · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 07, 2005, 10:23:20 AM »

Just go get a new thermostat! I did the very same thing with my Nissan 720, put new t-stat in and a hour of very hard wheeling the temp would finally come up! Bought the best one they had and haven't had a problem for the last 8 years!
Even if your heater core is plugged, or a bad hose, you should still be getting up to temp on the guage, as long as your t-stat is working properly!

Riddett · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 09:55:01 AM »

Buy the Toyota Thermo. Three bad Stant can't remmeber their crappy name anymore. They stick open closed
whatever they do..They do best at sucking!

wsuweston · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 06:44:35 PM »

I have the same problem, but my engine gets to temp, but heat sucks? How do you blow out the system?
Thanks

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 06:48:16 PM »

Quote from: wsuweston on Dec 09, 2005, 06:44:35 PM

I have the same problem, but my engine gets to temp, but heat sucks? How do you blow out the system?
Thanks

Sometimes the valve doesn't open when they get old, it may seem like you moved the lever all the way but the valve is stuck and you won't get very much coolant flowing through the core.

BoG-ToY · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 07:39:22 PM »

and that valvle is expensive on my friends toy his got stuck, it sucked for him, 100* outside and his heat core is pumpin heat into his truck

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 07:48:56 PM »

I just cleaned mine and it worked fine sometimes they just get some build up on them

BoG-ToY · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 08:04:15 PM »

my friend was worried that if he pryed on it too much he might make it leak hes like that though, kinda paranoid

kvn85 · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 09, 2005, 09:29:11 PM »

How do you burp the cooling system and get the air out ?

BoG-ToY · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 10, 2005, 01:00:04 AM »

If I knew how to, I would tell you, I just parked on a steep hill and kept filling the radiator with the engine running, probably didnt do it right, but havent had any problems, hopefully you get it figured out

TigerToy · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 10, 2005, 07:35:33 AM »

Run it with the cap off until you see coolant running real fast through the radaitor, or until it sucks a bunch of coolant down into the engine. Basically, run it until the thermostat opens with the cap off. You can also tell when the thermostat opens because the air coming off the fan changes from cold to warm. If it has a big bubble in it you might have to run it for a while, then shut it off and let it sit about two minutes, then run it again. Sometimes a thermostat won't open until some hot liquid hits it.

wsuweston · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 10, 2005, 09:09:36 AM »

That kinda makes sense, my stat went bad so I replaced it, but when I filled it up I did not let the car get hot when filling it. I will try that. No heat sucks, since we have been in negative and single digit temps here.
Thank you and sorry about jacking your thread.

crawlerdan · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 10, 2005, 09:15:09 AM »

stupid question, but is your t stat in upside down? i had the same prob in high school, and it was upside down, i replaced it with a 195 toyota piece and put it right side up, and wala, toasty toasty

83yota4x4 · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 10, 2005, 06:07:50 PM »

another way to get all the air out of the cooling system is to take out the temp sensor and fill the radiator til coolant comes out of that location. My dad told me about that after I blew the head gasket in my supra after changing the radiator.

kvn85 · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 11, 2005, 03:12:40 PM »

Thanks for the info.

NC854Runner · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 14, 2005, 08:17:47 PM »

I had problems with my heater not heating until I clean out the heater core and this is how I did mine

"you could try back flushing the heater core. Pull the hoses off at the firewall and run water through the outlet hose until it runs clear out the inlet. Then check that the heater valve is not clogged and operating fully closed to open as you move the lever on the dash."4Crawler"

Haven't had anymore problem since then it works.

kneedownnate · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 14, 2005, 11:38:22 PM »

You can park the truck with the front pointing up a steep incline, leave it running and pop the radiator cap. Don't remove it, just turn it half way so it can relieve the pressure, and leave the truck there running for 15 minutes or so. This should get rid of a lot of the air in the system. My heater is currently sucking bigtime, so I'm definately gonna hafta flush it out soon.

toomanytoyzz [OP]

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