My 2006 Chevy Malibu isn't heating up right..Any suggestions?

[Heather M]

Early this summer I had it repaired from a small accident. The radiator was replaced and the freon recharged....A couple of times this summer I had issues with it over heating and the air conditioner would get cool, but never cold like it should have. I called the place that repaired it and they said sometimes that happens for a little while and if it keeps happening to bring it back in. I let it go and just learned to live with it....not leaving the car idle with the air on etc... Well, now its winter (-8 deg with -30 WC) and my car isnt heating like it should. I let it run for about 15 minutes before leaving this morning and then drove for 30 minutes and it was only one notch above C (still not blowing warm air). Does this have something to do with that repair or not at all? I am going to check the coolant levels tonight when I get home. Any more ideas? Is this an expensive repair? Thanks in advance!

 

[kelly_f_1999]

first id check to see if thermostat is opening and closing and if its really cold put a box flap infront of radiator just dont cover the whole thing just a small part like the flap of a box works great to close off some air should help it heat up back east or up north but most likey its thermo stuck open if it doesnt get hot or it takes a long time its open and stuck

 

[Mad Jack]

Sounds like the thermostat needs to be replaced. It is stuck wide open. I think this because the temperature gage does not rise very much. The engine is not getting warm enough to supply enough hot coolant to the heater coil.

Many better thermostats are fail-safe designs that stick wide open when they fail so the engine does not overheat.

Also, if this is a V6 Malibu, there could be air pockets in the cooling system. There is a bleeder valve at a high point of the cooling system, located in a metal pipe above the water pump. With the engine cold, open this valve slowly until coolant comes out. If no coolant comes out, add more coolant to the coolant tank. When coolant starts to come out of the bleeder valve, close the valve. Be careful not to over tighten the valve, they are easy to break.

 

[pedro7of9]

1 coolant level...use 50/50 coolant/water mix
2 thermostate is bad