Need a little help with a heater problem.
11-26-2006, 07:06 PM
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Need a little help with a heater problem.
The heat works quite well, but there is very little airflow going through the system. I talked to a co-worker today, and he said these cars are common for that problem. Supposedly there is a screen that gets clogged over time, and slows airflow down quite a bit.
Its been like this since I bought the car. It was not a big problem then, but it is now, because its been getting worse, and it is difficult to stay warm in even mild cold weather. Imagine when temps hit -30 degree territory!
Would the disassembly of the heaterbox be covered in the FSM? If so, could anyone give me info where I can get a copy? If not, i'll just disassemble until i get to the root of the problem. Just that will take a little time!
Looked in the haynes manual. OMFG, what a JOKE those books are!! :o Used to be really detailed, and had just about everything you needed to know. It was good for my 85 Citation, and i liked it, but this one is GARBAGE!
So, thanks guys!
Its been like this since I bought the car. It was not a big problem then, but it is now, because its been getting worse, and it is difficult to stay warm in even mild cold weather. Imagine when temps hit -30 degree territory!
Would the disassembly of the heaterbox be covered in the FSM? If so, could anyone give me info where I can get a copy? If not, i'll just disassemble until i get to the root of the problem. Just that will take a little time!
Looked in the haynes manual. OMFG, what a JOKE those books are!! :o Used to be really detailed, and had just about everything you needed to know. It was good for my 85 Citation, and i liked it, but this one is GARBAGE!
So, thanks guys!
11-26-2006, 07:16 PM
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Don is really knowledgeble about this, but just speaking from my own experience, if you remove the blower motor, shine a flashlight off to the left of the blower opening, you can see the heater core. Fins should be clean and debris free. On all 3 of my H-bodies, they were covered with a blanket of dirt.
Best job I ever did was on my 88 Royale, I had a gallon sprayer with a hose coming out to a sprayer, which allowed me to get the nozzel WAY in there and spray it quite liberally with 409 (and Fantastik another time) Let it soak and rinse with a water stream from your garden hose.
Had to do my Bonneville early this summer, lost my nice sprayer somewhere, so I couldnt get the cleaner in as far as I wanted to, but it still made some difference. YMMV and hope this helps.
Best job I ever did was on my 88 Royale, I had a gallon sprayer with a hose coming out to a sprayer, which allowed me to get the nozzel WAY in there and spray it quite liberally with 409 (and Fantastik another time) Let it soak and rinse with a water stream from your garden hose.
Had to do my Bonneville early this summer, lost my nice sprayer somewhere, so I couldnt get the cleaner in as far as I wanted to, but it still made some difference. YMMV and hope this helps.
11-29-2006, 11:17 AM
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Procedure in Tech info for cleaning the AC and heater coils.
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ean+evaporator
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ean+evaporator
12-04-2006, 01:27 AM
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Pull the blower motor. I found mine to be FULL of loose insulation, almost like mice got it (I do get mice in my Explorer HVAC system but not the Buick'*)
And as mentioned, the heater core is accessible from there too.
And as mentioned, the heater core is accessible from there too.
12-05-2006, 12:42 PM
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Re: Need a little help with a heater problem.
I had a problem on my SSE88 where it was due to a broken linkage mechanisims at one of the air duct closing flap door. I had just barely only a slight mild air flow coming out from the windshield defroster duct. The door flap linkage was broken and the door was not positioning at the right diverting duct segment.
After repairing the door flap, I enjoyed plently of iar flow debit and great heat.
So my advice to you is have your internal air duct flap door inspected closely to see if they operate and divert the air flow as it should be.
Quote="Timothy'* Buick"]The heat works quite well, but there is very little airflow going through the system. I talked to a co-worker today, and he said these cars are common for that problem. Supposedly there is a screen that gets clogged over time, and slows airflow down quite a bit.
Its been like this since I bought the car. It was not a big problem then, but it is now, because its been getting worse, and it is difficult to stay warm in even mild cold weather. Imagine when temps hit -30 degree territory!
Would the disassembly of the heaterbox be covered in the FSM? If so, could anyone give me info where I can get a copy? If not, i'll just disassemble until i get to the root of the problem. Just that will take a little time!
Looked in the haynes manual. OMFG, what a JOKE those books are!! :o Used to be really detailed, and had just about everything you needed to know. It was good for my 85 Citation, and i liked it, but this one is GARBAGE!
So, thanks guys![/quote]
After repairing the door flap, I enjoyed plently of iar flow debit and great heat.
So my advice to you is have your internal air duct flap door inspected closely to see if they operate and divert the air flow as it should be.
Quote="Timothy'* Buick"]The heat works quite well, but there is very little airflow going through the system. I talked to a co-worker today, and he said these cars are common for that problem. Supposedly there is a screen that gets clogged over time, and slows airflow down quite a bit.
Its been like this since I bought the car. It was not a big problem then, but it is now, because its been getting worse, and it is difficult to stay warm in even mild cold weather. Imagine when temps hit -30 degree territory!
Would the disassembly of the heaterbox be covered in the FSM? If so, could anyone give me info where I can get a copy? If not, i'll just disassemble until i get to the root of the problem. Just that will take a little time!
Looked in the haynes manual. OMFG, what a JOKE those books are!! :o Used to be really detailed, and had just about everything you needed to know. It was good for my 85 Citation, and i liked it, but this one is GARBAGE!
So, thanks guys![/quote]
12-05-2006, 11:30 PM
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Just a comment: even in near zero weather (trip to Indiana) and with a 180 thermostat, the Bonneville always gave A Lot of heat. They can do very well when everything is right.
12-09-2006, 11:16 AM
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Your right the newer books are next to worthless. Have an x-body chiltons book for my citation / skylarks and that is a good book. No longer have the cars though.
12-10-2006, 12:50 PM
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Got more info about the problem, and did solve it a bit.
The reason that our EVAP core clogs, is usually because it'* leaked the freon out. So, if the A/C does not work, and airflow is slow, then its definitly related.
The A/C freon has oil in it to keep the system lubricated. When the EVAP core leaks, it sprays the oil all over the core, and thereby the core attracts all sorts of ****, and junk.
I took the glovebox out, and removed the hvac cover for the heater core off, and pushed the heater core aside. I also removed the blower motor, and attempted to soak the entire core with brake cleaner. I then used compressed air and a blower, and blew the crap out from inside the car.
It worked. Airflow is better, though its not perfect, but at least i won't have to wait 20 mins for the car to warm up, even at 5 below zero.
Next summer, when the car is removed from service, I may plan to overhaul the HVAC, and possibly get the AC working well again. For now, its just gonna get me through the winter.
Thanks guys.
The reason that our EVAP core clogs, is usually because it'* leaked the freon out. So, if the A/C does not work, and airflow is slow, then its definitly related.
The A/C freon has oil in it to keep the system lubricated. When the EVAP core leaks, it sprays the oil all over the core, and thereby the core attracts all sorts of ****, and junk.
I took the glovebox out, and removed the hvac cover for the heater core off, and pushed the heater core aside. I also removed the blower motor, and attempted to soak the entire core with brake cleaner. I then used compressed air and a blower, and blew the crap out from inside the car.
It worked. Airflow is better, though its not perfect, but at least i won't have to wait 20 mins for the car to warm up, even at 5 below zero.
Next summer, when the car is removed from service, I may plan to overhaul the HVAC, and possibly get the AC working well again. For now, its just gonna get me through the winter.
Thanks guys.
02-04-2007, 02:46 PM
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thanks for this topic
My heater works, it comes out the defrost and foot vents but not the main vents, which really slows down the airflow, and makes me have to wait longer for the car to heat up.
Can I remove the glove compartment to access the heating system so I clean it and maybe open up the flow or could my heater control switches need replacing.
My heater works, it comes out the defrost and foot vents but not the main vents, which really slows down the airflow, and makes me have to wait longer for the car to heat up.
Can I remove the glove compartment to access the heating system so I clean it and maybe open up the flow or could my heater control switches need replacing.
02-06-2007, 07:44 AM
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yeah that is wierd..
my heat comes out from the floor area and the dash (defrost) but not the vents that face you. the ac comes out there but not heat...
i have switched from heat to ac.. and the vents are working.. but go back to heat and it either choses defrost or floor.
my heat comes out from the floor area and the dash (defrost) but not the vents that face you. the ac comes out there but not heat...
i have switched from heat to ac.. and the vents are working.. but go back to heat and it either choses defrost or floor.