where's the heat?

[james accordino]

--- Kneale Brownson <knotnook at traverse.com> wrote:
> Have you checked that your heater valve (in the
> water line between the 
> block and the heater core) opens?  OEM heater valve
> is plastic and may be 
> partially plugged so that the ball valve won't open
> all the way.  

This one is fairly easy to check.

> It's also 
> possible some PO tried to fix a radiator leak with a
> leak-plugger 
> (BarrsLeak, etc.), and has gummed up your heater
> core

My SO got a 93 Dodge Shadow from a national rental
fleet sale.  It had a VERY minor front hit, but
cracked the plastic on the radiator end cap slightly. 
They must have dumped 5 bottles of Bar'sLeak in this
thing.  The inside of the heater core looked like it
was epoxied.  At least it didn't leak.  Heat varied
from warm to cool with no predictable pattern. 
Replacing the core solved the problem.  I agree with
the Audi heat output.  Both Type 44's with newer stock
radiator, heater core and thermostats can cook a
turkey on the floor boards within a half hour and the
needle on the temp gauge doesn't go past about 1/3. 
Maybe 1/2 if sitting in heavy traffic idling for 10
mins. plus.

Jim Accordino