No heat! Any thoughts? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

specinvstr · 12-07-2009, 09:05 AM

The car is a 2001 Toyota Celica GT. A little history first. A couple of weeks ago, the car was doing something funky -- engine temp gauge would go high and then it would return normal operating temps. This was funky because it would go near the red upon start up and then cool down and the problem would occasionally pop up. Car has been running fine and heat was working last week. This morning, start her up and everything was blowing but...no heat.

I'm thinking it might need a new heater core (cost of replacement?). Any thoughts on anything else it might be?

Bitter · 12-07-2009, 06:58 PM

got coolant?

RobMilkshakes · 12-07-2009, 07:28 PM

possibly the thermostat. Possibly its getting sort of stuck closed then upon very high heat opens again occasionally.

but yeah, check the coolant, also listen for when you turn the temp control (cold->hot dial) you hear a flap or can find the air valve that it turns(it diverts air between the cold air and the air that has blow across the heater core). Also you can try to pull the heater hoses off and see if the core is clogged.

I'm having an issue with my heat as well right now but all that checks out as well as my therm. so I'm lost.

Largen · 12-08-2009, 12:51 AM

Iff not you could be in nead of coolant... From cold, start the engine and have the rad cap off, watch it until it gets up to operating tempurature, if you see the coolant flowing thats good, if not. you may have an air lock you need to get out of the engine.

gorckat · 12-08-2009, 05:59 AM

Burp it: http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?t=192777

specinvstr · 12-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Thanks for all the feedback!

I will pass the info along to my buddy. I'm embarassed to say this, but he can't locate the coolant tank.

Where is it located so I can direct him? He found everything but the tank. Is it under an engine cover or something? He's not very car savvy and I am not going to be able to take a look until the weekend. I couldn't really see it on a search I did for the engine bay on google images.

gorckat · 12-08-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specinvstr

Thanks for all the feedback!

I will pass the info along to my buddy. I'm embarassed to say this, but he can't locate the coolant tank.

Where is it located so I can direct him? He found everything but the tank. Is it under an engine cover or something? He's not very car savvy and I am not going to be able to take a look until the weekend. I couldn't really see it on a search I did for the engine bay on google images.

With the hood up and facing the car: there is a black plastic cover from the hood latch up the left side of the engine. There are 4 or 5 plastic push screw thingies that have to be pried out to remove the cover. The coolant tank will be near the hood latch.

specinvstr · 12-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Thanks! He found it and the coolant was below low levels, but it wasn't bone dry. I told him to top it off and see if the heater comes back to life. I'll post up again with the results.

gorckat · 12-09-2009, 06:59 PM

He should check it daily for about a week- mine was low recently and I think I 'slow burped' it by topping it off 3 or 4 times in week or so.

QKVAN23 · 12-11-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specinvstr

The car is a 2001 Toyota Celica GT. A little history first. A couple of weeks ago, the car was doing something funky -- engine temp gauge would go high and then it would return normal operating temps. This was funky because it would go near the red upon start up and then cool down and the problem would occasionally pop up. Car has been running fine and heat was working last week. This morning, start her up and everything was blowing but...no heat.

I'm thinking it might need a new heater core (cost of replacement?). Any thoughts on anything else it might be?

I Have the same problem? I've tried everything from t-stats to full flush with water burbed the system revmoved the water pump to see if it had a problem. i even ran the car with no t-stat still no heat? Checked the Head gasket but it seems to be good? I was woundering if you solved your problem and what did you do to fix it???

catric69 · 12-11-2009, 08:21 PM

If you follow the instructions that were linked in post #5 you should be okay. You may need to repeat "Step 6" & "Step 7" several times. I used this same set of instructions to bleed my wife's 2000 Celica GT.

http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?t=192777

Celica Coolant Bleeding Procedure

This is the method I have found to work best for bleeding the coolant at home in the driveway. There are better ways (vacuum system) if you have a fully equipped automotive shop. This is merely my opinion, not an official or approved repair, and I take no responsibility for the health and wellbeing of anyone who uses it or their vehicles.

Important Note: The engine and hoses will get hot so be sure to wear gloves and keep your hands clear of the belts and fans.

Step 1 – place car on a incline with front pointed up towards the higher end of incline
Step 2 – Make sure car is in neutral or park and set emergency brake and put wheel chocks behind rear wheels
Step 3 – unbolt coolant reservoir with 10mm wrench and hang it from the hood with some string or bungee cords to further elevate it
Step 4 – Jack the front end of the car up as high as you can to ensure that the radiator and coolant bottle are by far the highest point in the system.
Step 5 – Open the reservoir cap and the while bleeder and start adding coolant to the coolant bottle. Continue to add until coolant overflows and level stops going down.
Step 6 – Squeeze and release coolant hose on drivers side a number of times – this should release air bubbles. Continue to squeeze this hose and add coolant for as long as the air bubbles keep coming.
Step 7 – Massage the 2 heater hoses and see if that frees up any air bubbles – massage drives side radiator hose after doing heater hoses for a while.
Step 8 – Start car and turn on A/C, turn heat all the way to may hot and the blower on high.
Step 9 – let car run and continue to complete steps 5 – 7 until the air bubbles stop working their way out, all radiator and heater hoses are hot and the heater blows hot (it may be necessary to goose the throttle to increase coolant circulation through the heater core)
Step 10 – top off coolant reservoir and replace to normal position and bolt in place. Monitor coolant level for next couple of days and add coolant as necessary.

The trick to the process is in squeezing / massaging the hoses, it will help move the air bubbles through the system and get the air out.

Additional info:

The best coolant to use is Toyota Pink SLLC (super Long Life Coolant). The SLLC comes premixed 50/50 with water and has a service life of 60,000 miles according to Toyota.