G'day guys just after some thoughts here.

My heater has stopped working, the air is cool to warm but not hot what so ever. I warmed the car up and felt both heater hoses, one was hot and the other wasn't. So I removed both hoses (while braking the inlet/outlet clean in half due to corrosion) hosed them both out and no blockages (plus they are brand newish fitted by myself).

So next step I put the garden hose into the heater core inlet/outlet (the top connection) and clean water came out straight away and I have just had my Radiator replaced and the whole cooling system flushed.

Refitted it all (dodgy fix for the bottom snapped connection) let the car warm up, topped up coolant, and felt the hoses again same hose was hot and the other one still wasnt but I couldn't see/remove a blockage.

Does this mean there is something wrong with the heater core? Also when driving with the heater on (trying to heat it up) I can smell coolant but the carpet on the passenger side isn't even damp.

Thanks in advance.

What's the temp gauge doing?

Sitting around normal so that rules out the thermostat, its doing exactly what it should.

I'm stumped. Mal, where are you?

Make sure your A/C button isn't on? I drove a good hour with the heater on max with the AC banging. Noticed as I pulled into my driveway.

Check it's not set to outside air aswell?

Make sure your A/C button isn't on? I drove a good hour with the heater on max with the AC banging. Noticed as I pulled into my driveway.

Check it's not set to outside air aswell?

Both have been done many a time.

The core may be fine.but is the heater tap working.

There is NO heater tap. Constant flow.

The core may be fine.but is the heater tap working.

As above these cars don't have a heater tap.

Check that the cable actually moves the flap when you turn the temperature control. Torch and a look under the dash at the airbox needed.

Check that the cable actually moves the flap when you turn the temperature control. Torch and a look under the dash at the airbox needed.

I will do it with a torch when I can however that was one of my first checks, I heard the flap open and close fine but did not check the cable itself.

With that said though even if the flap is stuck that wouldn't cause the air to just be coming out warm right?

Check the air deflection flap is moving, you can access from the drivers side, there are a couple white plastic levers etc, check for full movement

Makes SFA difference if the aircon is on, the air is heated after the aircon, having the aircon on will give dry air for demisting etc

Check the air deflection flap is moving, you can access from the drivers side, there are a couple white plastic levers etc, check for full movement

Makes SFA difference if the aircon is on, the air is heated after the aircon, having the aircon on will give dry air for demisting etc

So im right in assuming the air deflection flap is the one that is operated with the fresh/re-circ lever?

If so ill have a good look when im feeling a bit better (stupid flu). If thats not the case does that mean ill probably be looking at a new heater core?

So I think i've fixed the issue. One morning I got in my car and the blower direction knob wouldn't turn all the way to the right anymore, I thought it was strange, it was always a little tight to turn to the right but not to the point where it stopped before it got to the front window setting. So I got under the dash and removed all the cables and then resat them on in the clips and on the plastic switches, got back in the car and it seemed to be working.

I honestly don't know how the blower control cable being out can affect the heat considering I was still getting some warm air out. Also before I resat the cable only one heater hose was hot now both are. So fingers cross this has fixed it.

Also do I need to remove the dash to replace those plastic heater hose connections? Because one of mine snapped and if I dont have to replace the heater core I dont want to remove the dash.

Thanks again.

Yes is dash out

Yes is dash out

OK, question then Mal since you deal with 3rd gens day in day out, what would you say the average life span for a heater core is?

OK, question then Mal since you deal with 3rd gens day in day out, what would you say the average life span for a heater core is?

Mine was on the verge of going (had just started leaking with a build up of grime on the core, no rust yet)at 245k. Can go later or sooner.

It's a damn quick job for someone who is experienced to do a dash in dash out. The first time I did it I spent 4 leisurely days. The second time, I got home from work at 6pm, I took my dash out, chucked in a verada cluster/clock loom, and got the dash back in and still had time to tidy it all up and pick someone up at 9:30 (with 15 minutes travelling time...)