Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Heat doesn't work after a thermostat change, '98 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC.?

Quick details- Girlfriend ran car alone on the expressway, lost heat. Called me, I told her to check temp gauge, it was topped out. Drove down to check car, no busted belts/hoses, coolant at a normal level. Changed thermostat, got heat for about 5 minutes, then got cold (though not as cold as the outside temp.). Temp gauge is reading perfectly fine but no heat at all. It is cold in Michigan. Thanks
Heat doesn't work after a thermostat change, '98 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC.?
probably air locked....should have a little bleeder type valve near the top of the engine, probably on one of the heater lines.....why did it overheat to begin with?
Heat doesn't work after a thermostat change, '98 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC.?
If the problem started after changing the thermostat, you probably have an air pocket in the line. This is keeping the hot radiator water from reaching the heater core and warming up your inside air.

Take it to a mechanic and have them get the air out.
There is probably air in your heater core. Consult a repair manual on burping the cooling system. When burping run the car with the heater on. that will let the coolant flow through the heater core and pull the air out.
You got an air bubble. Fill the radiator with the heat settings wide open for max heat coming out of the daskboard. run the engine til it is full hot -- 10 minutes at least. DON't gun it -- you'll break up large bubbles into small ones - harder to get it all out.



I f that doesn't work, run the engine til it's full hot, turn it off and pull the heater hose where it is at its highest point in the engine bay.... be ready to put it right back on.... You'll know if you got a bubble or solid water....



GM 2.8 Liter and 3.1 Liter motors from ~ 1986 to 1998 have a real pain in the *** bubble spot just behind the thermostat...... So trace your hoses if you're still stuck.
I have a 2000 stratus with the same problem and now my blower motor resistor is going out have u gotten any good replys on this yet??