I just bought a 91 Firebird 5.0tbi sight unseen (yeh, i know, prolly not the best idea :P ) ... Anyway, the heat doesn't seem to work.

The fan blows.. Air comes out the vents.. Temp gets to 160-180 or so... I'm not the most mechanically savvy person, so I might have been testing the wrong hoses, but I THINK the heater hoses leading to the heater core both felt warm... That should mean the heater core is not plugged right?

I'm at a loss... haha, word of advice to those who don't know better... Buying cars sight-unseen is a BAD idea. :P ... oh well..

Anyway, thanks for reading this.. Any ideas?

Thanks,
--ElmoTheDestroyer

 

how does the temp control feel i have seen the cable fall off and give the same problem if the heat control moves freely chances are the cable could be of the contoler

 

That would definately fit the symptoms... I'll check that out tomorrow and see what I can see. Be nice if it was something that easy.

Thanks,
--ElmoTheDestroyer

 

Elmo,

Are you sure the dampers are opening? If you're feeling air they probably are. There are both mechanical and air actuated dampers under the dash. It is not uncommon for the air actuator (on the back of the upper control lever) to break off (see photo). You also need to make sure there is vacuum being supplied (little stupid looking soda can kinda thing on the back firewall behind the engine & next to the wiper motor).

If all the above is OK you probably do have a bad heater core. Even if both hoses get warm that does not mean it's OK. They will get warm regardless once the engine is as warm as you indicate.....there just won't be any flow through the core. You might try reversing the hoses as this MIGHT (and that's a big MIGHT) dis-lodge some goop and get you SOME heat...just a thought!

Just my

Kurt

P.S. As saavy as I sometimes think I am.....I did the same dumb thing bought my son's z-28 on e-bay and didn't inpsect...... It's taken about $4000 to make it a daily driver that I trust my son will not break down in. It's been a great deal of fun but I'm not sure I'll ever buy a car again sight-unseen!

 

Air blows, but not hot air?
160-180F? Check the t-stat.

 

Ok... Well, I checked the vacume/cables attached to the control unit and everything seems to be attached/working. I can hear the vac doors opening and stuff when I move the slider.

Looks like it's either the thermostat or a plugged up heater core.

I'm curious, whats the easiest way to flush the system on these cars? I'd like to keep the mess to a minimum if possible. (I have a dog, so I'd like to try to avoid getting anti-freeze all over the garage floor and stuff) ... Never flushed a cooling system before... I'm sure I could do it without asking directions, but I'm sure I'd waste extra time and make a bigger mess, ya know?

Anyway, I appreciate all the responses, thanks again!
--ElmoTheDestroyer