why no heat?

[Fergifruitchew]

i have a 98 camry 4 cyl auto, the temp gauge is always less than half, the heater blows warm...not hot like it should, the more i rev it the hotter it gets BUT it still doesnt get very hot at all... im thinking there may be a blockage in the heater core. One of the hoses that goes to the heater core is colder than the other so what do you guys think? i have a new thermostat in it, water pump is fine.

[hill8570]

Temp gauge on the Camrys with stock thermostat is always a bit less than halfway up...pretty normal.

Cooler heater output when engine is idling (vs revved or driving along) is also pretty typical for a Camry, but non-idle heat should be plenty adequate in any temps greater than 0F.

One heater hose cooler than the other is a good thing -- that means the heater core is radiating the input heat.

I'd make sure the heater control valve (the valve connected to the heater hoses in the engine compartment near the firewall) is getting opened all the way by its cable. If it is, then try bypassing it with a shunt between its input and output hoses to see if that makes any difference. If the shunt doesn't make any difference, then the heater core is kind of all that is left, although you might want to inspect it before replacing to make sure the fins aren't completely clogged or something.

[yotatoter]

is the valve by the fire wall on the 98,i have a friend with the same problem,and there was no valve by the fire wall

[asphalt victory]

thermostat i had the same problem

[TrailDust]

There's also the most basic of causes, which is a low fluid level in the coolant system.

[Fergifruitchew]

that valve was the first thing i checked, but there is no valve, and i put new coolant in when i changed the thermostat but it still wasnt very warm at all. coolant level is full. Im thinking i may have to flush out the heater core.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Fergifruitchew

Im thinking i may have to flush out the heater core.

Could also be a malfunctioning mixing door/control - the temp control setting on the dash.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by Fergifruitchew

that valve was the first thing i checked, but there is no valve, and i put new coolant in when i changed the thermostat but it still wasnt very warm at all. coolant level is full. Im thinking i may have to flush out the heater core.

Heh, that's weird...could've sworn all Toys used the "valve on firewall" scheme. Heck, even my 2002 Sequoia has one. But, yeah, I don't see one on the parts diagram. They've got to use something equivalent, 'tho -- it'd be dumb as dirt to be circulating hot water through the core during the cooling season, even if they weren't directing air through the core.

[Stillrunning]

Heater not working

Sound familiar?

[Fergifruitchew]

thanks for the info, i do not know if its warm in the summer, i would think it would be. i may have to flush it because i havnt seen any valve.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Fergifruitchew

...because i havnt seen any valve.

From the link it sounds like the valve is behind the dash (not on the firewall)connected to the heat control knob. It has a valve, you just haven't found it yet.

[Fergifruitchew]

alright lol, which side am i to look at? driver side or pass. I dont want to take my entire dash out just to see if a valve is broken.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Fergifruitchew

alright lol, which side am i to look at?

I don't know, I don't have a 98 manual, but i bet it's in the center behind the control knob which would mean you just remove the center bezel. Buy a Haynes Manual and find out, only about $20.

[Fergifruitchew]

okay will do, ill give it a shot and ill update here with what i find with pics too if i have trouble lol