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Taking forever to warm up

Moe Dubs

Moe Dubs

New member
2005 GP, takes +10 minutes for somewhat warm air to start blowing out of vents. Has gotten worse every year, I was told last year that GP has 2 diff thermostats and that I should get the hotter one? Heat worked fine the first few years, now I never get heat since I rarely drive for more then 15 minutes at a time.
 


It sounds like the thermostat is stuck open. I would recommend replacing it with a new one. The factory temp range should be fine.
 
coolant flush, heater core flush and new thermostat should fix it.

I recommend the coolant flush if its never been done before, otherwise replace the thermostat and bleed ALL the air out.
 
TWO t-stats?

lol, no.

Just one...in the lower intake manifold.

Get a Fail-Safe 195* T-Stat and be done...since your car is stock.

Have the dexcool flushed out and replace it with green or yellow crap...cheaper, works the same if not better...and doesn't gunk up like Dexsludge.
 
My '04 was doing that. Replaced the thermostat, issue resolved. It had also started throwing the occasional engine too cold code, but the lack of heat was evident before this. +1 on the flush while you're at it.

I think by two stats he meant there was a 180* available and the standard 195* one. Not two installed in the car.
 
OK thanks guys, just read my sleepy post. I meant someone told me last year that there were 2 available for the car, will replace and flush
 


So I'm finally taking car in to get this looked at, going to try to not sound like an idiot at shop. This is what I intend to say when I get there

"Car wont heat up, even after driving for 20 minutes or more it never blows hot air, just gets to kind of warm. Think its the thermostat stuck open and maybe needs a cooalnt flush, whats the cost?"
 
Got my Qoute from shop, they say its a domino effect of problems and want to change my water pump, thermostat and a flush. Total cost after tax is $757!! $245 for water pump which I dont think is the issue, $201 for the flush and $95 for thermostat change and the initial $85 to have tech take a look at it... price seems outragiously high to me. I have had zero issues with car since I bought it in 2006, should I give the go ahead to to the thermostat and flush and say leave water pump alone? knocks $250+tax off total.
 
$95 to change thermostat? It's an $8 part and I could do it without using my hands in about six minutes.
 


It sounds conceivable that it's the water pump, it's not a $750 job. Take what they told you and get a second quote. Even a dealer wouldn't charge those prices. I did the same stuff on my old 3800 for around $100, and a few hours of time.
 
Get yourself one of those 20 dollar heaters you plug into the cigarette lighter. that way you can leave the heat off and you engine will warm up a little faster.

and yeah, $95 is ridiculous for a stat change.

I have found the quickest way to warm up is to drive around in second gear for a few minutes. I certainly wouldnt try it on the highway, but if youre keeping it under 40, that will warm you up a little quicker too. I also dont turn the heat on until the needle reaches the bottom line (140 degrees)
 
spoke in detail with tech, says water pump is leaking bad. which explains the swooshing sound ive been hearing and the orange spot in my drive way. Getting that changed since I have no idea how. After thats done going to attempt a stat change with some guys from work, they got me for $90 to tell me what is wrong. I really need some mechanically inclined friends in town
 
Moe Dubs said:
Got my Qoute from shop, they say its a domino effect of problems and want to change my water pump, thermostat and a flush. Total cost after tax is $757!! $245 for water pump which I dont think is the issue, $201 for the flush and $95 for thermostat change and the initial $85 to have tech take a look at it... price seems outragiously high to me. I have had zero issues with car since I bought it in 2006, should I give the go ahead to to the thermostat and flush and say leave water pump alone? knocks $250+tax off total.
Click to expand...


water pump cost 40 bucks, and 1 hr of your time tops. t stat 8 bucks, a gallon of coolant 15 ish.

may i suggest you never let that shop work on your car, they are full blown thief's. and even 90 to look it over it to damn high.

love this movie.
 
Exactly what Scotty said. Parts needed are really cheap and you can do it yourself. Shop is taking advantage of you.
 


Looking for a cheaper place to flush, someone suggested Wal-mart... do you think their shop would do it correctly? Guy says thermostat seems to be working fine. Thinking of just changing it anyway with some guys from work who have done it before to supervise.

If that doesnt work would it be a heater core problem, if so how long of a job should it be to replace it? Have some names to call of guys who do side jobs out of thier shops at home.
 
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flush it yourself.

take the t stat out, then put the housing back on, take the upper hose off the rad, start the car with a garden hose in the rad cap hole, run it till clean water comes out the upper hose.

the take the hose out, run the engine till nothing comes out, put the t stat back in, add one gallon of coolant (not the 50/50 stuff, full strength ) top off with water, and bleed the air out.

your heater core, take both hoses off the engine, take a garden hose to one of the core hoses, and flush it, then fill it with water. hook it back up.

your cost, 15 bucks tops. get to it.
 
scottydoggs said:
water pump cost 40 bucks, and 1 hr of your time tops. t stat 8 bucks, a gallon of coolant 15 ish.

may i suggest you never let that shop work on your car, they are full blown thief's. and even 90 to look it over it to damn high.

love this movie.
Click to expand...


What movie is this? I've gotta watch it now! That price is too F**ing high! KABOOOM!


EDIT: Found it and Downloading now lol !

Ya OP those prices seem a little high. I'd start with replacing the t-stat yourself 2 bolts simple stuff!
 
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