Hey how is everybody? Okay My 2003 Buick Century is having heating
problems. Its starting to get real cool here in Kentucky finally so I need the heat. I first noticed it a while back when i had to use the heat
to defog my windows. The heat will not work while seating still
idling. It will only kick in while driving down the road a little
ways. My Fiance drives it. It is her car and tonight she drove it
home from work. It was cool out real foggy. So she had to use the
defrost. She told me that she sat and let it warm up for a long time
the thing is the heat never started working until she drove it down the
road a little ways then it finally kicked in and started working. When it
does kick in it is hot for sure. So i don''t know what the problem is.
Could it be thermostat? I really have no idea. I will appreciate all
the help i can get. Thanks.

 

could be a vacuum problem, not opening the gate to allow the hot water to run through the heater until you start to drive and then it builds up. If it was a thermostat, then it wouldn''t be hot when it first opened.

 

Wow vacuum problems. Any idea where to start to look at?

 

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I''d start at the heater valve, where the gate is, you can follow the hoses down to the gate behind the dash, it could be just some build up from older anti freeze running through it, then just some WD-40 and some working it should clear it up, my Regal did the same thing, it would take forever to switch over and then it would, literally slam the gate open,took some skinned fingers and some WD-40 but I got it to work great, start with the simple stuff, then look at the different stuff that costs money.

 

im thinking here and what this sounds like to me
is kinda confusing


the heater intermittently comes on and off?
like the switch is bad?

or the fact the fan blows but its cold air coming out?

or does it not blow at all? but your geting a faint push of air?


i need some more info here...

 

The fan blows air but its cold. Switches function properly. When the air gets hot after you drive for a few minutes it stays hot.

 

your heater core is pluged.


classic symbol of it

unhook the top hose going into your fire wall and hook a hose to it
remove your ratiator cap and hit the water on full blast.


let it clear for 5 min then drain your system and refill with antifreeze again..

 

oh ok, I see now, my bad, if it was a thermostat if would be running hot, try to blow out the heater core, like TrippleT said, if thats not it, check my ideas, let us know which works.

 

if the thermostat was screwed it would ether be stuck open or shut.

if its shut... your car would get real hot
if its open
you would have a faint smell of antifreeze

ether way
wouldn''t really affect your heat from the vents.

 

Alright thinks guys. Should i refill with the Dex cool or go with the green anti freeze. Thanks again guys.