98' Camry Heat not working like usual

[stephnel]

I have a 98' Camry 4cyl with 342,000 miles. The heat isn't blasting like usual...its warming, but barely. Sometimes the heat comes out well, but not always. I have a new relatively new water pump and radiator...seems like the coolant in the reservoir is disappearing more quickly than but I don't know where its going...its not going into the engine. When the coolant is low in the reservoir the car barely heats. Help? Thermostat or heating coil problem?

[fj62]

First step find out where coolant is leaking. A thermostat stuck open would cause car to not warm up.If car warms up it most likely is not the thermostat.

[fenixus]

grats on the mileage!!

if coolant level is dropping on its own check for leaks, spots under car, pinkish (or whatever color you use) stain around engine and such.

you could also do a cooling system pressure test (any local shop should be able to do it for you) to see if it holds the pressure ... and if it leaks it should make it easy to notice the spot, it will be squirting (if external). for checking on internal leaks it's good to have spark plugs out, it will come out of there if that's the case (hopefuly not, it means the Head Gasket is blown).

[rebuy]

Mine did that last year, thermostat change, better now. 30 minute job, very easy to do. Mine was stuck open and I was wiping frost off the windshield, would not heat, let the engine run too cool in winter.

[stephnel]

Thanks all, I will check the thermostat first. Hopefully that will be the fix because a new heater core is $444.00 from dealership and $124.00 from Napa.