1995 Accord cold all the time

[godxzilla]

Hey guys. I have a 1995 accord I use as my commuter car. Its a great little car with 175K on it. It just started getting very cold up here in columbus, and im noticing that the heat never really gets hot. warm, yes...but not hot. I leave the blower on high for the lenght of every drive because it never is hot enough to turn lower.

please dont tell me heater core and give me some suggestions!

Thanks!

Mike

[shakran]

what's the temperature gauge reading? If it also reads low you could have a blown head gasket.

Otherwise it could be heater core, but I doubt it. More likely it's the baffle that mixes hot with cold air - it's probably jammed a bit so it won't close off the cold air side. Do you park it outside? Sometimes rodents will build nests in cars and the nesting material gets stuck in places in the vents. That could be blocking it.

Or it could be the water valve isn't opening completely as well. Check that too

[godxzilla]

temp gauge is reading normal - just a hair below 1/2 on the scale.

Here is what im thinking - your baffle idea is a good one. the cable that controls the hot-cold could be stretched, not allowing the control on the dash to turn it to hot effectively. Also I was thinking of cleaning out the heater core, build up in there can cause the heat to not blow effectively. im going to try the cable first.

[GetRdone]

Is there any air movement out of the vents at all? My Acura had a fan problem where there was heat, but i didnt feel it because the fan didnt blow it into the cabin. If thats the issue, the fan is a pretty simple replacement and can sometimes be refurbished. If thats not it, i hate to say it; heatercore. PS; you can get parts sometimes 10-12% off if u say you are a AAA member at NAPA stores.

[godxzilla]

oh no - this sucker blows plenty! its just luke warm air.

ill probably start with the thermostat, because its a bit warmer when the car is at idle. I think the thermostat may be stuck open.

[twan5]

it very well could be a VERY simple solution with a cheap pricetag...

your thermostat could be malfunctioning... i replaced the thermostat on my wifes mitsubishi for a whopping $5. check your owners manual or go to a auto supply store like auto zone and talk with someone there... its usually a small easily accessed piece that can be replaced in your driveway with nothing more than a socket wrench and a towel (to wipe up the excess antifreeze...)

im sure thats your problem!

[godxzilla]

a towel! I think you are being overly optimistic, but I like your style I have done a few thermostats, just never had a honda before so I wanted to see if there were some voodoo tips about the heat before I started doing any work. Ill do a thermostat this weekend - and ill be using a BIG ASS towel!

[Cadwiz]

Thermostat was the first thing that came to mind.

[pocon1]

I would think thermostat as well. I have mine for my 70,000 mile integra, but I have not replaced it yet. I watch the gauge drop during high speed cruising because of heavy airflow, and then rise to normal at a light. Been to lazy to change it, but it also seems to have knocked a couple of miles off the fuel economy.

[godxzilla]

been lazy, going to do the t-stat this weekend. I noticed today that if I leave it in the recirc position instead of fresh air, it gets pretty hot...maybe im just an idiot! well, it still needs more work...clutch is to the floor. needs a master cylinder...looks like my weekend wont be free time after all....

[GetRdone]

i spoke with some of my guys at home and we came up to another thought. If the blower blows, the motor runs ok temp wise, but its just the interior heat ur having probs with, we figured something outl. Cars with AC have this little recirculation valve that prevents the heat from the motor from coming into the car. normally the heat for the cabin is generated from the heat carried in the coolant etc. That it transferred in and used to heat the car, but cars with ac have an electromechanical switch that prevents this, so the ac can cool the car easier. IF the switch broke or is stuck, it could be the reason ur not getting heat into the car. It may be accesible from the glovebox or underhood, check ur user manual or haynes manual to see.

[godxzilla]

thanks! I just found a pdf of my factory service manual online so ill poke through it.

I appreciate the ideas.

[belkins]

Remember, if it is the thermostat, when you replace it there is a bleed screw near the thermostat housing (on a Honda that is) that you use to bleed off any air that may have entered the system.

That could possibly be part of the problem right there too. Try cracking it open just a little bit and see if any air escapes.

[GetRdone]

oh ya, if u do end up doin the thermostat, make sure that u also get a new gasket for it, just to be on the safe side. Only costs and extra 30 cents, and some thermostats actually just come with one,.

[poof]

If your coolant isn't full, there will be no heat. Make sure you have bled the air from the cooling system (yes, there are bleed fittings to let the air escape the sysytem), and have the proper amount of the proper mix in your cooling system. Stick a piece of cardboard in a place to limit airflow across the radiator. This will bring the temperature higher indicating a bad t'stat.

[GetRdone]

good point poof, some people add water or coolant to try to fill up the radiator, but they throw the 50/50 balance off, its good to maintain an equal mixture/