Heater not hot

I could be getting older, slower, and metabolism slowing down due to growing up and having kids, but it seems/ feels like my truck heater is not as hot as it used to be. I remember i used to have to turn it down from full blast on my way to work and now i need to keep it full blast to stay warm. coolant level is fine. What else should i check?

05 dcsb 4x4 trd

 

have you changed your in cabin air filter?

 

nope where is it and any info would be appreciated thanks for the response

 

Its behind the glove box. just open it and pull the little shock off then you can take the whole glove box out

 

Drop the glove box door, disconnect the little shock on the right hand side, and you'll see a rectangular door behind it. Just open the door and slide the filter out. Mine looks pretty bad within a year, so if you haven't changed it that could very well be the problem.

 

oh i hope this is all it is. thanks

 

When's the last time you flushed your cooling system? Old coolant and air pockets will prevent your cooling system from functioning optimally. I'd start there first as cabin filter will have little to do, if any with the cooling system. Yes, a dirty or clogged filter will partially block air inside the cabin but that's about it.

This might be what your radiator looks like if not flushed and maintained. After replacing it and flushing the system, the heat was actually hot and not just warm.

 

so you don't think partially blocking air to the cabin will effect the output of the heater?

 

OP asked for heat output and not cabin air output. Also mentioned "full blast" so we know there is air coming through at the very least. He also said warm and not hot. He would just feel less air blowing but same amount of heat. It would take an immense amount of dirt and debris to even hinder cabin air but then again on a 2005 that has never been changed could do it.

 

Not to the extent you think it will.

It's obvious that it's not an output issue but a temp issue.

Rarely is the cabin air filter to blame for anything other then potential smell issues.

 

Is the engine getting up to full temperature? It could be the engine thermostat stuck open.

 

OP Please go pull that in cabin air filter out and post a pic. You don't have to replace it right away.

It's common sense if you block 50% of the hot air to the cabin the heater is going to be 50% less efficient

I'm not saying it couldn't be a coolent problem but start with the easiest solution first

 

engine temp gauge is right in the middle where it has always been

 

Can you please pull the damn filter .. it takes 5 seconds!

 

Better yet, pull the filter, leave it out and run the heater. Any difference?

 

yep when im not at work. then kids from school. diner. clean up, kids to bed and ill let you know what i find whenever i do this. probably the weekend

 

I was able to make some time in the day and here is how dirty that filter is. I'm going to clean it with my air compressor and see how it does tomorrow morning should be getting snow overnight so good test in the morning

 

I've seen dirtier with more leaves.

 

Once I got into the filter there were so many pine needle stuck down in each of the crevices I also use the air compressor and blew out the whole housing and there was so much freaking crud that came out

 

Thanks tacomaworld let's see what happens tomorrow on my drive to work