2000 Olds Bravada - COLD
#1
Member
Thread Starter
2000 Olds Bravada - COLD
Drove 3 hours highway the other day and air from heater was "sorta warm" but not hot. She topped off the anti-freeze and today still the same thing.
Today she says gauge says 180° , I think these have a 195° thermostat but not sure, she hasn't had it that long. She says she has the heater set on 80°, still just warm from heater.
When she gets here I'll check the two heater hoses for temp, anything else I can check? I don't know much about these newer cars.
Thanks
Today she says gauge says 180° , I think these have a 195° thermostat but not sure, she hasn't had it that long. She says she has the heater set on 80°, still just warm from heater.
When she gets here I'll check the two heater hoses for temp, anything else I can check? I don't know much about these newer cars.
Thanks
#2
I don't know much about these newer cars.
Coolant level, thermostat, leaks, blend door or valve, bad core!
#3
Forum Topic Moderator
I find it hard to believe a thermostat wouldn't open up or the engine reach operating temperature after a 3 hr drive. I have a hard time believing the coolant temperature gauge if she's ready it right. Cooling and heating system on modern day cars isn't that much difference. Biggest things are less room to work and servos instead of mechanical linkage [blend door]
#4
Group Moderator
I had the thermostat fail on my truck last winter. It broke and stuck in the open position so the engine never got up to full temp. and the cabin heat would only get up to mildly warm. Replaced the thermostat and it solved the problem.
#6
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Thread Starter
Heater hoses were one hot and the other warm after running 2 hours and idling at my garage, temperature gauge ~180°, maybe it has a 180° thermostat.
The automatic temp control seems to work correctly, when on auto the fan speeds up to warm interior, pee-warm air coming out.
I have no idea how these 'auto' systems work as far as less/more water going through the core, much easier with my 51 Chevy and a small cable.
Hate to think where and how to change to core and what it will cost, maybe I'll try reverse flushing the core and see what comes out? She called her garage and they don't do that sort of work so...
The automatic temp control seems to work correctly, when on auto the fan speeds up to warm interior, pee-warm air coming out.
I have no idea how these 'auto' systems work as far as less/more water going through the core, much easier with my 51 Chevy and a small cable.
Hate to think where and how to change to core and what it will cost, maybe I'll try reverse flushing the core and see what comes out? She called her garage and they don't do that sort of work so...
#7
Member
Since Olds was a GM product, it may have originally come with DexCool, the orange coolant. I had an issue where regular green coolant was added to the DexCool, and they are incompatible. It gelled up to the point that there was no coolant circulating. Radiator and hoses were basically filled with jelly. I'm not saying that's the case for you, but it's something to be aware of.
#8
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Thread Starter
...but it's something to be aware of.
She also said before giving it to her he brought it to a dealer and said to go through it, which included flushing the cooling system.
I'm beginning to think they might have done a mickey mouse job on that and plugged the heater core. He gave it to her last summer so he'd never notice.
We had -31°F this morning so it does put out enough heat where she can drive it, just take a warm jacket.
Thanks very much everyone, summer is right around the corner.
#10
Member
Wow -31F ! ! I checked where you are, that cold air is coming here to New England tomorrow. After the freezing rain stops that's on top of the snow that fell first - will have to proceed with caution.
Does the Olds have the 4.3 V6? The Bravada being the Olds version of the Chevy Blazer would mean it likely does. I always liked those. Rumor has it the Blazer it returning, but to be built it Mexico. Very stylish, but I like form follows function for more room efficiency like the old Bravada Blazer.
I never heard the two different types of anti freeze should not be mixed, something to make note of.
Does the Olds have the 4.3 V6? The Bravada being the Olds version of the Chevy Blazer would mean it likely does. I always liked those. Rumor has it the Blazer it returning, but to be built it Mexico. Very stylish, but I like form follows function for more room efficiency like the old Bravada Blazer.
I never heard the two different types of anti freeze should not be mixed, something to make note of.
#11
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Thread Starter
She finally talked with her brother and he said...
▪ they did not flush the cooling system
▪ he didn't seem concerned when told of hot an pee-warm heater hoses
▪ a while back he had a new 'door' put in but it now sticks (I'm wondering if he meant actuator)
▪ do not use auto. To raise the temp just move it a little at a time, you may have to just keep messing with it.
▪ she drove to Tower this morning to dentist (-21°F) and messing with it didn't seem to help, not happy.
After spending hours yesterday on youtube I ran across this video: GM HVAC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR RE-CALIBRATION. It was for the proper years but said Chev, GMC trucks and SUVs, didn't mention Olds.
I don't know if I dare try this or not, anyone ever done this? I nothing else we'll first put some cardboard on the grill and maybe this next.
Thanks
▪ they did not flush the cooling system
▪ he didn't seem concerned when told of hot an pee-warm heater hoses
▪ a while back he had a new 'door' put in but it now sticks (I'm wondering if he meant actuator)
▪ do not use auto. To raise the temp just move it a little at a time, you may have to just keep messing with it.
▪ she drove to Tower this morning to dentist (-21°F) and messing with it didn't seem to help, not happy.
After spending hours yesterday on youtube I ran across this video: GM HVAC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR RE-CALIBRATION. It was for the proper years but said Chev, GMC trucks and SUVs, didn't mention Olds.
I don't know if I dare try this or not, anyone ever done this? I nothing else we'll first put some cardboard on the grill and maybe this next.
Thanks
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Doh, guess I can post the video, only 7 minutes long a quite simple:
https://youtu.be/WWnjTwIK4OA
Her Olds is a little different, she has auto on the 'fan' and 'location' buttons but I don't think on the temp knob, that is just 65-70-75 etc.
I'd hate to mess it up where she has NO heat at all.
https://youtu.be/WWnjTwIK4OA
Her Olds is a little different, she has auto on the 'fan' and 'location' buttons but I don't think on the temp knob, that is just 65-70-75 etc.
I'd hate to mess it up where she has NO heat at all.
#13
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Blend Door
Given the heater hoses were hot and warm, the core is transferring heat. Sounds like the blend door is not opening. Here is a link that gives you some instruction of how to test for a problematic blend door.
no heat Chevy Blazer no heat oldsmobile Bravada ? Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice | Automotive Repair Tips and How-To
The motor is available here...https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...actuator,10721
I suspect you can find some instructions on how to access the motor, here is the process for the 1999 Bravada, may be the same.
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_...mobile_bravada
no heat Chevy Blazer no heat oldsmobile Bravada ? Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice | Automotive Repair Tips and How-To
The motor is available here...https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...actuator,10721
I suspect you can find some instructions on how to access the motor, here is the process for the 1999 Bravada, may be the same.
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_...mobile_bravada
#14
Member
Thread Starter
no heat Chevy Blazer no heat oldsmobile Bravada
Given the heater hoses were hot and warm, the core is transferring heat.
On her Bravada the hot is hot and the warm is just barely, not even close to the hot, HUGE difference. I'll bet the farm core is partially plugged.
Thanks very much, let the fun begin.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Fixed
With the snow she started driving it again and freezing to death. I said, "call the man".
He called back, "it's gonna roast you right out". Back flushed the heater core and good to go. I've never had that happen but $60 well spent.
Thanks
He called back, "it's gonna roast you right out". Back flushed the heater core and good to go. I've never had that happen but $60 well spent.
Thanks
#16
Just as cherry om matza - any modern coolant is compatible with dreaded DexCool. Modern. Anything you buy at parts stores clearly says that. Unless, whatever was that they included with that vehicle was OLD coolant and not compatible.