Heat blows out luke warm

[TurboTer]

It sure feels better than nothing, but it's only luke warm. Been that way since I first needed heat this season in late October, but the last time I needed it before then (March or April), it came out hot. I did change to a 160 degree thermostat in the Summer. Coud that be it? Right now in this cold NY weather it never goes past 170 degrees or so. In the Summer, right before the change, it sometimes rose to 230 degrees (hot air Grand Nationals get very hot).

 

[Red Regal T]

Possibly the bottom slide on your controls is not closing/opening the door it controls all the way. If you drop down your glove compartment, you can check it.

 

[TurboTer]

Originally posted by Red Regal T
Possibly the bottom slide on your controls is not closing/opening the door it controls all the way. If you drop down your glove compartment, you can check it.

Sorry for the stupid question, but what exactly am I looking for? For example, when I drop down the glove compartment, do I look down and left? Should something move when I switch between hear and a/c?

 

[Red Regal T]

When you move the bottom slide, you'll see the pivot it's attached too. Make sure it's moving full travel. Also, check or eliminate you're heater control valve under your hood. Could be you're problem.

 

[TurboDave]

With a 160 thermostat, the best you can hope for is warm air. It'll never be hot until you can get the coolant temps up into the mid-upper 180's

 

[turbox4]

Recently had car do the same thing. I Backflushed the pipes at the firewall and a ton of crud came out. Also, ran a bottle of Prestone's radiator flush through system and now car heater keeps car comfortable even in below freezing conditions at 160 degree engine temp. It might have trouble keeping up with east coast conditions but still should keep you from freezing.

 

[salvageV6]

Warm the car up to 160 or so.

Put the vents on.

Put the fan in the middle postion.

Put a temp. gauge, second input to EGT meter works well with a thin wire EGT probe, into the middle vent near the plastic end.

Measure the temps. there for a few minutes.

Should climb to 115-120 or so on a day like today in the 30's.

If not you may have a problem such as heater valve or mechanical door.

Use a mercury lab. thermometer if you don't have access to a good EGT meter.

 

[charlloots]

kb chips cause this with 160 theremastat its not that uncommon

 

[chevyII]

160 degree water is luke warm???change your stat!!!

 

[salvageV6]

I think hot tubs are about 108, ain't luke warm either.

Anyway my temp. numbers above are for a stock REPLACEMENT GM heater core and it isn't as hot as the original as many have reported.

I'd try the temp. test above and if that's what you get you can go with a higher temp. stat. or give up.

 

[Red Regal T]

If all is working properly, 160 stat, heater will heat the car.

 

[racemybuick]

Like it was stated before, look on the firewall for that little valve that looks like a carb chove valve. Mine stick a lot when I first got the car, and I took it off, soaked it in WD40 for a day, put it in, and never had another problem. That was in my 87 regal limited, but i never had another heat problem! Good luck!

John