If you stepped into your car this winter and turned on the heat only to find that your heater is just blowing cold air, you may not be alone. This is actually not a completely uncommon car problem. While not uncommon, it is frustrating, especially on a cold winter morning when you have to sit in a freezing cold car on your way to work. There are a few basic issues that usually lead to the blowing of cool air from one’s car heating system:
- There isn’t enough coolant in the engine
- There is a problem with your heater core
- Your thermostats are not working correctly
- Your heating controls are broken
- You may have water leaks
Knowing and understanding a bit more about how your heater works and the problems that can go wrong will only aid you in the journey to having the problem fixed at your nearby McKinney Car Shop.
- When there isn’t enough coolant in the engine
Your car is dependent on the coolant for its AC system. Coolant helps to cool the engine down, especially when you are driving around in the Texas heat during the summer. However, when it is winter and you switch on your heat the coolant is transferred from the engine to the heater core and then warm air is pushed through your car’s vents. It is normal that your car first blows out cool air for just a minute, but the heater should blow out warm air as soon as the car’s engine is able to heat up. If your coolant levels are low it will not be able to transfer to the heater core and create for the warm air in the heating process.
- When there is a problem with the heater core
Heater core issues are a common reason that heaters stop working correctly. There’s a few different things that can go wrong with the heater core from the coolant not traveling through it correctly to the blower motor air not reaching the heater core, to a possible clog or blocking within the heater core. It is important to address this issue quickly as it can potentially cause damage to your engine from over-heating. - When your thermostats are not working correctly
If after starting your car and giving it time for the engine to heat up a bit, you notice your temperature gauge still says “C” then this could be a sign that your thermostat is not working properly. It is important that the thermostat communicates to the engine the proper temperature in order for the heating system to be engaged.
- When your heating controls are broken
On somewhat older cars, it is possible for the actual heating buttons and control to become clogged or broken. This can lead to a lack of communication amongst the car’s systems. - When you have water leaks
Your car is a complicated machine and there are several areas in which leakage can occur and lead to dysfunction in the various systems. If any of your hoses, your water pump, or your radiator suffers leaks it can lead to malfunctioning of the heating system.
Having more knowledge of how your car works will help you to better your communication and understanding with your mechanic when things go wrong. To make sure that your car stays in good shape the best thing you can do is ensure you take it in for a McKinney car service regularly. Here at Nortex Lube & Tune, we strive to be a trustworthy and caring team and will do all we can to keep your car in its best shape and you and your loved ones safe on the road. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today.