My 2001 Passat's heater output is sluggish. The fan works and there is a bit of heat, but not the blast of hot air it used to make. Is this likely a thermostat issue? Is it a simple fix I can do?
Many thanks,
Jay
There are known problems with this vehicle's heater core not getting enough coolant flowing through it to blow hot air.
1) Even if the coolant looks good, there are problems with the heater
core plugging up. One solution is to use a heavy duty cleaner (CLR pipe
cleaner) to back flush the heater core. To know if the heater core is
plugged up, disconnect the 2 heater hoses at the heater core and
somehow connect a hose to one end of the core. Try to flow water
through, it doesn't have to be high pressure, and there should be a
steady stream. If not, try to get the cleaner directly into the heater
core and let it soak. Then back flush it and a lot of scale should be
seen coming out.
2) The other problem is that since the heater core is the highest point
in the cooling system air tends to get trapped in it. This should only
happen if the coolant goes low or someone has opened the system to
service it. There are a number of ways to bleed the system (vacuum
bleed, pressure bleed). One of the hoses should have a small hole in it
for bleeding air, pull that hose back just enough so the hole allows
coolant to flow out of it. Then accelerate the engine and get a good
flow coming out, when no more air bubbles are present, there should be
good heat.
3)I've heard of bad water pumps with low flow causing issues as well as
an aux. water pump not fuctioning correctly leading to poor heat output
from the heater core. Someone should confirm this as I cannot get much
information on the aux water pump(electronic pump by the alternator
that is supposed to run after the car is shut off).
Hope this helps.
I live in Chicago, ilI and have the heater core same problem on passat 2003 GLX w 50K miles. Mechanic at general shop (not at VW dealer) flushed the heater core and heat is back and realy good as new. I like to do it myself but it is too cold to do outside or event in the garage.
Had the same problem with our passat after we replaced the coolant tank and an oil leak. We brought it back to the mechanic who then flushed the heating coil a few times. This slightly improved the situation. That week I was reminded/guilted by the label on the gas door that i really should be using 91 octane gas at the minimum, so I filled up with premium gas. After about 10 miles of driving the heat started working again. Probably a huge coincidence, but that is the only change i can think of. Read somewhere about heat build up in the engine when using lower octanes.. maybe that was confusing the thermostat?
Good luck folks I'm on my second heater core and VW refuses to admit a problem. 2002 GLS V6. $1700.00 at my dealer.. I owned a VW Fox same issue, bought new and 31,000 miles the Heater core failed, fogged the windsheild with antifreeze just like my golf and now my Passet has twice.They only last 30-36,000 miles so never buy a used VW with in that range unless you want to spend the money to replace the heater core. The heater core was recalled on the Golf because it's a big seller for VW. I will never buy a VW again.
Flush the heater core with normal tap water water pressure. If you use solvents it is very likely to cause leaks. There is a bleed hole on top of the p/s heater hose that should bleed air out of system, I usually will take the coolant bottle loose and hold it higher than the heater hoses when filling to achieve gravity bleed. Feathering the throttle will usually make a rushing noise in dash if there is a large air pocket, If normal flushing doesn't work you need a new heater core if air box flaps are working normally.
2001 1.8 passat here what i did with drove car till warm park shut off unhook upper radatior hose where that hose conect to metal one careful hot let fluid run out hooked waterhose to radatior hose flush till run clear then hook to metalone and flush till run clear then on hook hoses at heater core 2 then to to waterhose and flush till clear now to heater core go to auto parts store get 3 foot of heater hose or any hose to fit on heater core hook water hose to it and backflush till run clear then other side of heater core same till clear then i got air compresser out and hooked it toheater core use ing the 3 foot hose and aplastic bag toseal it blow water out easy try toblow all water out then poor CLR CLEANER in through 3foot hose till it come out other side of core let stand half hour blow out with compresser then water do this 3 times only use CLR in haeter core then rinse till clear iused air compresser to blow water out of motor and to raditor make sure i could 1 gal anti freeze backin now resemble check engine light came on after idid all this went out 2 day later could of went to autozone they would of ran free scan ask to reset MY HEAT IS GREAT NOW
Were is temp gauge at? should be in the middle of gauge if not RR stat.make sure the cabin filter is good or youll get no air flow
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hi i have the same problem with my 1998 1.9tdi passat, my temp gauge is at zero. what is the RR stat and cabin filter?
thanks
i also have a 2001 Passat GLX. the fan blows great but there is NO heat!what could it be?? please lease help me the drive to bring my daughter to school are very COLD!!
I have passat 2001. I have exactly similar problem. The fan works, it blows in the air, which at highest climate temp setting, is just warm. The temp gauge is usually in the middle at 90. The AC fuse is intact. Can any one help to find, what is the problem?
My fan blows great and the AC works but no heat at all. Is that a heater core issue or a possilbe fuse issue. My stereo and lights all work.
I have a 2002 V6 and I'm having the same problem. Very little heat at any setting. Will not clear windshield. Spoke with VW and they say it could be a clog in the heater coil. Need to take out the dash to get at the coil for only $1400. VW knows this is a problem but puts the heater coil in an area that requires dash removal. Not a smart design!
I have the same issue, no heat 2001.5 passat glx v6. The temp gage is at 190F. Post the temp control at high, cold at at best cool air from the fan. A/C works great and doors from the climatronic control work. I have cleaned the cabin filter , in good shape. I had the antifreeze replaced a year ago..no changes. I am planning to power flush the cooling system at a local shop( not the dealer ) they have a tendency of replacing everything..but the least expensive ..any advise?
There are known problems with this vehicle's heater core not getting enough coolant flowing through it to blow hot air.
1) Even if the coolant looks good, there are problems with the heater
core plugging up. One solution is to use a heavy duty cleaner (CLR pipe
cleaner) to back flush the heater core. To know if the heater core is
plugged up, disconnect the 2 heater hoses at the heater core and
somehow connect a hose to one end of the core. Try to flow water
through, it doesn't have to be high pressure, and there should be a
steady stream. If not, try to get the cleaner directly into the heater
core and let it soak. Then back flush it and a lot of scale should be
seen coming out.
2) The other problem is that since the heater core is the highest point
in the cooling system air tends to get trapped in it. This should only
happen if the coolant goes low or someone has opened the system to
service it. There are a number of ways to bleed the system (vacuum
bleed, pressure bleed). One of the hoses should have a small hole in it
for bleeding air, pull that hose back just enough so the hole allows
coolant to flow out of it. Then accelerate the engine and get a good
flow coming out, when no more air bubbles are present, there should be
good heat.
3)I've heard of bad water pumps with low flow causing issues as well as
an aux. water pump not fuctioning correctly leading to poor heat output
from the heater core. Someone should confirm this as I cannot get much
information on the aux water pump(electronic pump by the alternator
that is supposed to run after the car is shut off).
Hope this helps.
I have a 2000 Passat GLS V-6 with no cabin heat (It's -15 below today) Personal family mechanic flushed the heater core a year ago, changed the cabin filter, replaced the water pump, and flushed and replaced the coolant. This year, same problem, no cabin heat. I am placing my money on a bottle of CLR and a repeat the flush of the heater core. Maybe a new core replacement ($1400) is worth not having 3-5 years worth of car payments?
2001 Passat has very little (read: no) heat. I have flushed the core and get a steady stream of water running through the core. I have run the water through the core in both direction and get a good flow both ways. I have bled the air from the core both by running the car and opening the bleed hole and by elevating the reservoir and pouring in coolant until it comes out the bleed hole. The heater controls work fine, I have checked them. The thermostat is new and the temp gauge reads 190 when the car is running. The only thing left to do is replace the core. The only thing I can figure is that the core has rusted out internally and the coolant is not running through all of the little tubes inside the core to effectively transfer the heat from the coolant to the air.
Why is there scale buildup in the heater core? I change the G-12 coolant regularly and we don't live in a hardwater area. Can we change the coolant to Prestone? If no, why not? Is there a problem with G-12 breakdown?
i have a 2001 2.8 passat and it has no coolant flow through the heater core hoses at all at an idle what could it be.
auxillary water pump
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