Problems with cars can make drivers think. If your car's heater is suddenly blowing cold air, instead of heating during the winter that is frigid and cold there is a valid reason to feel frustrated. Insecure car heaters could make the frigid winter months nearly impossible to endure.
There are a variety of things that could occur with auto heaters since, like an in-home heating system there are many parts which work in tandem to provide heat to your vehicle. If any of these issues are in the car, it could release cool air, rather than heating:
- There is not enough Coolant to cool the engine.
- Issues in the core of heaters
- Broken or blocked heating controls
- Troublesome thermostats
- Water leaks
Let's look at each of these issues in greater detail...
1: There is not enough coolant
The cooling system in your car is usually composed of 50 percent of antifreeze, and the other 50% is water to cool your engine in the summer, particularly during the hot summer months. In winter, when you crank up your heating and the coolant flows through your engine into the heater core , which will then blow warm air to your car.
It is possible to feel cold during the initial few minutes due to the fact that the engine needs to get warm in order for the coolant to get warm and supply heat to your interior. If you notice that cool air continues to be released, the very first thing you need to look at is the level of coolant in your car. If your car is running low on coolant, it will not be able to transmit any of it to the heater core in order to produce warm air.
2: Issues with Heater Core
Car heater issues are typically related to issues with the heater's core. For example, Coolant might not be flowing throughout the heating core in a proper manner. The air from the motor blower isn't getting to it, or there's a blockage within the small tubing inside the core of your heater.
The heater cores can be described in simple terms. They are cooling system components that are similar to small radiators. The heater core is constructed out of aluminum or brass tubing, which carries hot coolant inside and out and also fans that spread the heat generated from the cooling fluid. The heater core is responsible for the defrosting and heating functions. They are generally located just behind the dashboards.
If your vehicle isn't pumping warm air into your interior and the coolant level is in good shape there could be an problem with the heater core. If you suspect something is not right with your heater core, be aware of the following signs:
- The car is surrounded by fog
- A sweet, fruity odor
- Your car using coolant very quickly
- The engine has overheated.
3: Broken or blocked Heating Controls
Sometimes , after having used controls for a few years, they could become blocked and cease to function. If the coolant levels are in good shape and there isn't any indication that there could be any issue with the heater's core, you might need to replace one or more buttons for control or the thermostat control valve. The control valve for your heater is located under the hood of your car and functions as a switch to turn the heat off and on. If that valve isn't functioning properly, your vehicle might be stuck, releasing cool air into your cabin.
4: Dysfunctional Thermostat
If you find the thermostat's gauge remains at "C" when the vehicle is able to warm up, you could have a problem with your thermostat. If your thermostat isn't able to signal to the vehicle that it is warm and the coolant isn't transferred to supply warmth to the heater's core , and air will remain cool. Thermostats can be a simple and affordable fix, so replacing them will get your heater running immediately.
5. Water Leaks
The final issue that is common to car heaters is water leak. There are a variety of locations where leaks could occur and you should examine your radiator, hoses and the water pump for any damage. If one of these three is damaged, your car's heating system will not function properly.
A properly functioning heating system can result in a more pleasant winter. If you experience one of these issues, or have trouble getting the heat to escape from your vents then contact an experienced local auto repair shop to take a look into your system for heating. It's crucial to take care of issues that arise with car heaters as fast as you can. If you don't address the issue the issue could lead to an even bigger and more expensive issue later on.
