00' V-6 Grand Heater blowing cold air

[melvin1234]

My 00 Grand am v6 3.4 is blowing cold air instead of heat. The thermostat has been changed no help. There is a small anti freeze leak coming from the small metal pipe fitting that attaches to what looks to be the head underneath the heater core hose on the drivers side and the other end of the metal pipe connects to the throttle body, Any Ideas?

The blower is working and changing positions as it should.

Thanks in Advance!!

 

[melsg5]

If you have a leak you have air in the system which will cause the heater to not work correctly. Fix the leak before you overheat the engine and have major problems. After the leak is fixed and the air bled from the system if you still have a heating issue you may have a blocked heater core or if the system uses a heater control valve that may also cause the issue.

 

[melvin1234]

Should the heater be blowing a little hot air even with a leak and if it is a blocked heater core what is the best and easiest way to remedy that?

What and Where is the heater control valve?

Thanks a Bunch!!!

 

[melsg5]

The person who changed the thermostat, did they bleed air from the cooling system after changing it? I find no listing for a heater control valve for your car at the parts sites I have checked. If the core is blocked you can try flushing the cooling system.

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[Kevlar]

If it turns out to be a blocked heater core and you decide to replace it yourself, be advised, it's not a friendly undertaking. You will need a good service manual, lots of patience and tough hands.

I replaced the core in my '96 a couple of years ago, I don't know how much difference there may be from '96 to '00. One of the trickiest parts as I recall was R/R the center console.

Now, if the core is not leaking you can try to flush it out. You can do this by disconnecting the hoses from the engine, then attaching a hose with an adapter to a garden hose. Then slowly turn on the garden hose to flush the core.

If it's blocked solid and has weakness it is possible the hose pressure will blow through the weak area causing a leak. Hold on though, you want to know this because you would soon be replacing the core anyway if this is the case.

If you get flow with the hose, keep it running until the water runs nice and clear. Then put her back together and see how she heats.