Heat not working

Hello All,

I have a 2001 Taco and the heat does not work (just tested it this weekend in 100+ weather). The air works fine and the engine does not have an overheating problem. I can take it in and get it fixed, but I'd have to pony up for a rental in the meantime. If it's a simple fix I thought I could do it myself.

Thanks for any help and/or suggestions...

-J

 

Sounds like the thermostat.....

 

or heater core is stopped up

 

Thanks for the suggestions...I'll replace the thermostat this week and report on status.

- Jamie

 

Before replacing the thermsotat I would "flush" the complete cooling system. Then replace the thermstat. When everything is buttoned up, remember to "burp" the cooling system to rid the system of air.

Hope this helps...

 

Any update???

 

Well, my heat is not working either!!!

It's just about zero in Chicago right now. I just took a short trip in my truck and two weird things happened for the first time.

(1) Heat didn't work at all

(2) Engine reved to 2,000 RPM even after getting up to temp and then started to overheat (it's zero out!). I shut the truck off and went into home depot for about an hour, when I came back out it ran normal except for the heat still not working.

The heat was working fine three days ago. I just had the timing belt, water pump, and thermostat changed out a few thousand miles ago. My 2001 is at 98,000 miles.

 

sounds like you have a "air bubble" in your cooling system. try burping the cooling system.

 

I burp the system by getting the truck up to temp and then opening the rad cap?

Would the cold cause my thermostat to stick open? Cooling systems are a topic I know little about, sorry. How can I unstick the thermostat and why would a brand new one be having problems already?

I just checked the weather channel...2F "feels like -15F" Is the extreme cold a contributing factor?

Thanks!

 

Just went out and started the truck. The heat worked but I decided to burp the system anyway. I did this three times with some driving inbetween each. A small amount of coolant came out each time...much less the third time.

So what was that shit all about? Is it the cold temps or should I be wondering if the machanic messed something up?

 

I would keep an eye on it, could be something as simple as a bad rad. cap, some how air got in the system. I know its cold so go indoors to look the engine over, heads, water pump, even bad hoses, as in another thread, flush the system. The heater core is on the passenger side (i think) so look for some rad. fluid, or a strong smell of it in the cab.

 

the thermostat might be bad

 

Was not working again this morning...turned the truck on and off, burped the system, and it started working.

 

change the radiator cap, since you changed everything else.

 

my heat also doesnt seem to be working 'up to par.' the temp gauge gets up to regular tempature, and the heat seems to kinda work on the first and second setting. I'm thinking flush the system. Am i on the right track? if not what else should i look for? thanks for any advice!!

 

I'm kinda thinking that most of you are having heater core problems, or may be some recent work done & linkage to gate valve that lets hot radiator fluid into heater core isn't hooked up or hooked up correctly, I dunno if its mechanical or electrical that controls valve but thats where I'd start looking....

 

^ Finally somebody in this thread that knows what the f he's talking about.