Need help from mechanic or car smart people.

[dremen]

Well the gf went and bought a 98 chevy venture behind my back with out even letting me look at it(guy thing right)and now the gawd damn thing is a broblem.

Ok engine runs PERFECT, but the ****ing thing has a summer thermostat in it im told and i believe it because it only pushes out a LIL heat when driving and when it gets -30 out it won't blow ANY heat at all.

So im thinking when it gets -30 out the thermostat freezes shut and the antifreeze does'nt go through the heater block thus no ****ing heat right?

Antifreeze is a 50/50 mix and topped up and there is ZERO leaks so im left to believe as soon as a winter thermostat is installed there will be proper heat?

Also what is the price range to have a thermostat installed just so i don't get ripped off.

Thanks for ANY help folks.;)

[RagingRandy]

Cars do not need the thermostat changed every season. Get the highest temperature rated thermostat you can and leave it in all year. If your thermostat was shut your engine would be overheating. If anything it may be stuck open and the engine is not warming up enough to produce heat.

The cost of a thermostat will be about $20 and should not require more than an hours labour to replace. During the replacement you should also consider flushing the system to eliminate the possibility of a clogged heater core.

You may also want to read this.... http://autoforum.classifieds1000.com/Chevrolet-Venture/Venture_van_heater_blowing_cold_air_temp_gauge_flu ctuating

[waderow]

50/50 mix?

that's probably your problem. should likely be straight coolant in our climate. Get the freezing point checked. If mixed 50/50 with water, you might freeze at -20

and you dont get a winter thermostat and a summer thermostat. The thermostat lets the engine warm up by closing off the coolant circulation, and when it gets warm enough, it opens and voila, the engine gets cooled. A by product is flow through the heater core.

Does the heat gauge in the dash show that the engine is warming up?

[dremen]

Cars do not need the thermostat changed every season. Get the highest temperature rated thermostat you can and leave it in all year. If your thermostat was shut your engine would be overheating. If anything it may be stuck open and the engine is not warming up enough to produce heat.

The cost of a thermostat will be about $20 and should not require more than an hours labour to replace.

Ahhh that's not bad at all.


I was told there is a summer thermostat in the van, but i guess the one in there is just shit and needs to be replaced.

Let me explain the problem a lil clearer if i can.

Ok so if it's -20 or so outside the van will create heat, but not very much and when driving around the temp is always in the low normal range, BUT when it's ****ING FREEZING out the van starts fine, but produces NO HEAT AT ALL and the temp gauge points to 12 oclock or 1 oclock. Still in the normal operating range, but way higher then normal.

So that why i figure when it's freezing out the thermostat freezes shut and the antifreeze does not circulate through the system and the temp gauge goes so much higher because the fluid is not circulating through the engine.

Did this help at all......lol?

BTW there is cardboard covering 2/3 of the rad.

[ironwill]

50/50 mix?

that's probably your problem. should likely be straight coolant in our climate. Get the freezing point checked. If mixed 50/50 with water, you might freeze at -20

and you dont get a winter thermostat and a summer thermostat. The thermostat lets the engine warm up by closing off the coolant circulation, and when it gets warm enough, it opens and voila, the engine gets cooled. A by product is flow through the heater core.

Does the heat gauge in the dash show that the engine is warming up?

agreed........it is stuck open due to oxidization probably etc.......Maybe a broken spring....Very easy fix to change out.....Make sure you are good to at least minus 30c dremen......
For the mean time before repair, cut out a chunk of cardboard and cover the rad, but if it warms up, you need to make sure it is off again....You can fix this today with minimum tools, or very inexpensive at a local sghop....
But as stated prior, if its cool in vehicle, it is stuck wide open full flow, not picking up enough heat travelling through engine block, you need to starve the flow a tad to let the heat absorb into the liquid....:D

[waderow]

Ahhh that's not bad at all.


I was told there is a summer thermostat in the van, but i guess the one in there is just shit and needs to be replaced.

Let me explain the problem a lil clearer if i can.

Ok so if it's -20 or so outside the van will create heat, but not very much and when driving around the temp is always in the low normal range, BUT when it's ****ING FREEZING out the van starts fine, but produces NO HEAT AT ALL and the temp gauge points to 12 oclock or 1 oclock. Still in the normal operating range, but way higher then normal.

So that why i figure when it's freezing out the thermostat freezes shut and the antifreeze does not circulate through the system and the temp gauge goes so much higher because the fluid is not circulating through the engine.

Did this help at all......lol?

BTW there is cardboard covering 2/3 of the rad.

sounds like your coolant is freezing

[dremen]

agreed........it is stuck open due to oxidization probably etc.......Maybe a broken spring....Very easy fix to change out.....Make sure you are good to at least minus 30c dremen......
For the mean time before repair, cut out a chunk of cardboard and cover the rad, but if it warms up, you need to make sure it is off again....You can fix this today with minimum tools, or very inexpensive at a local sghop....
But as stated prior, if its cool in vehicle, it is stuck wide open full flow, not picking up enough heat travelling through engine block, you need to starve the flow a tad to let the heat absorb into the liquid....:D


Ahhhh ok so stuck open then huh ok.

I've read chevy ventures are ****ing shit when it comes to coolant problem, but like i said there is no leaks, no bad sounds and the engine/tranny run like brand new.

So when it hits -30 the thermo freezes open huh.

Hmmmm i think it's going to the shop cause i don't have a garage and it's like -45 with windchill right now...lol

Thanks brudda:)

[ironwill]

When thermostat is stuck in the closed position, this blocks all fluid movement, thus the engine temp will rise drastically and fast.......It will over heat in a matter of minutes....Ive seen the symptoms youre talking about with an airlock in the system before, another possibility....Id flush it and upgrade your coolant at the very least......

[theboss]

i agree with all the above..

replace thermostat...could just be old and not functioning properly
replace antifreeze with proper mixture for your climate....you dont want it to freeze!

[dremen]

sounds like your coolant is freezing

When it's -40 outside the overflow fluid and rad fluid(under cap)is still liquid though with no slush so i unno wade?

[dremen]

When thermostat is stuck in the closed position, this blocks all fluid movement, thus the engine temp will rise drastically and fast.......It will over heat in a matter of minutes....Ive seen the symptoms youre talking about with an airlock in the system before, another possibility....Id flush it and upgrade your coolant at the very least......

Ok will get a new thermostat and coolant put in today. I just hope the mechanic bleeds the lines properly or im going to have no heat still....lol

If it still blowes cold air after it get's fixed im going to kick the shit out of the ****er that sold this to my woman. **** im pissed off right now...lol

[ironwill]

Ahhhh ok so stuck open then huh ok.

I've read chevy ventures are ****ing shit when it comes to coolant problem, but like i said there is no leaks, no bad sounds and the engine/tranny run like brand new.

So when it hits -30 the thermo freezes open huh.

Hmmmm i think it's going to the shop cause i don't have a garage and it's like -45 with windchill right now...lol

Thanks brudda:)
it could just be sticking, not necessarily freezing....Kind of sounds like it, as the temp rises, it gets upper range of temp, the stat now opens, and begins cooling, then gets stuck in the open position due to rust, sludge, or possible freezing, and remains open causing the vehicle to remain cool operating temp...

[vazsek]

i don't know for sure about the newer vehicles but all the older v8s and my new deisels circulate through the heater core whether the thermostat is open or closed, as long as the pump is circulating and the temp control valve is open to the core they all circulate through the core.

if it was mine i would check the temps on the heater lines coming in and out and see if there is a drop accross the core when the fan is on high. my first guess if the engine is getting up to temp and not overheating would be a plugged core or the temp control valve isn't working, if it is overheating i would say waterpump.

[waderow]

i don't know for sure about the newer vehicles but all the older v8s and my new deisels circulate through the heater core whether the thermostat is open or closed, as long as the pump is circulating and the temp control valve is open to the core they all circulate through the core.

if it was mine i would check the temps on the heater lines coming in and out and see if there is a drop accross the core when the fan is on high. my first guess if the engine is getting up to temp and not overheating would be a plugged core or the temp control valve isn't working, if it is overheating i would say waterpump.

a core or water pump could get pricey, but it could also be these....

[vazsek]

it probably just needs a flush, i don't like flushing coolant systems unless i absolutly have to it can make any other weak spots or corroded fittings etc come to surface in a hurry lol.

[dremen]

Well talked to a few shops on the phone and because there is a summer thermostat in there or a low heat thermostat it only blows a lil heat and like Ironwill says it gets stuck from the cold.

New high temp thermostat is being put in as i type this and new coolant as well.

We will see what happens now.

Thanks for the info guys;)

[ironwill]

i don't know for sure about the newer vehicles but all the older v8s and my new deisels circulate through the heater core whether the thermostat is open or closed, as long as the pump is circulating and the temp control valve is open to the core they all circulate through the core.

if it was mine i would check the temps on the heater lines coming in and out and see if there is a drop accross the core when the fan is on high. my first guess if the engine is getting up to temp and not overheating would be a plugged core or the temp control valve isn't working, if it is overheating i would say waterpump.

pretty much all vehicles circulate through the core, but the thermostat regulates at what temp the liquid flows, as it cools off, thermostat closes, to allow it to maintain heat, if it gets hotter, the bimetal spring in stat allows it to open, thus allowing more fluid to cool, as the fluid cools, it cools the bimetal spring and thus the 2 opposing metals make the spring close off a bit more and more as it needs to keep regulated carries on its merry way.......
If the core was plugged, you wouldnt see the guage drop after it begins to warm up, you wouldnt feel much of anything on the outlet pipe of the heater core, and water pump wouldnt be as erratic in the temps, as in cooling to much, a water pump generally has a weeping hole that tells you when it is buggered and you will visibly see it typically.....:D
Im sure it will all workout there dremen, then you get to be the man that saved the day, these days are few and far between for myself, so live it up when you can, dont be scared to brag to the lil woman....lol

[dremen]

pretty much all vehicles circulate through the core, but the thermostat regulates at what temp the liquid flows, as it cools off, thermostat closes, to allow it to maintain heat, if it gets hotter, the bimetal spring in stat allows it to open, thus allowing more fluid to cool, as the fluid cools, it cools the bimetal spring and thus the 2 opposing metals make the spring close off a bit more and more as it needs to keep regulated carries on its merry way.......
If the core was plugged, you wouldnt see the guage drop after it begins to warm up, you wouldnt feel much of anything on the outlet pipe of the heater core, and water pump wouldnt be as erratic in the temps, as in cooling to much, a water pump generally has a weeping hole that tells you when it is buggered and you will visibly see it typically.....:D
Im sure it will all workout there dremen, then you get to be the man that saved the day, these days are few and far between for myself, so live it up when you can, dont be scared to brag to the lil woman....lol


Ha ha IW you're the man.....lol

FYI the girlfriend asked me last night why my balls are so small and also asked why my ass cheaks had bruses....HA HA

"Baby my balls only LOOK small cause my cock is so huge and them bruses are from when i did a squat and backed into the rack":D

Im trying to stay on her good side man. Everything including sex is just too good to lose ya dig?