My heater isnt hot after a while...

[flip_x]

Hey all...

i got a 2001 4.4 and when i use the heater at 70 it gets pretty nice and toasty but after a little bit of driving it gets cold... what could this be?? thanks




edit..
it gets warmer if i bump up the temp then it goes back down again..

[lo_jack]

Have you checked your coolant system? Are the fans still blowing and it just isn't hot?

Have you noticed any funny smells?

[Mister2]

You might want to have your coolant temp sensor checked as well.

[lo_jack]

Is the coolant temp sensor used for something besides the ECU running the engine in these vehicles?

[Mister2]

Originally Posted by lo_jack

Is the coolant temp sensor used for something besides the ECU running the engine in these vehicles?

Sorry I was thinking of thermostat. If the temp gauge goes up to about half way when it's warm then that's not it.

[Zulu95]

Originally Posted by Mister2

Sorry I was thinking of thermostat. If the temp gauge goes up to about half way when it's warm then that's not it.

Not with today's "Idiot Gauges" that BMW use. The needle sits a the mid point through a range of readings from cooler to hot. You cannot rely on the gauge to warn you if your engine is too cold or hot.

[Mister2]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

Not with today's "Idiot Gauges" that BMW use. The needle sits a the mid point through a range of readings from cooler to hot. You cannot rely on the gauge to warn you if your engine is too cold or hot.

True. You also have to realize the temp gauge measures the temperature of the coolant and not the engine or its oil. Most temp gauges are inaccurate but I don't think it should be ignored. If the temp gauge is moving slow or staying dead cold, it's possible that the spring on the thermostat is malfunctioning hence giving the cold air.

[cpatzer]

Could it be that it has already gotten to 70 degrees inside your car so there is no further reason to pump really hot air into it?

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by cpatzer

Could it be that it has already gotten to 70 degrees inside your car so there is no further reason to pump really hot air into it?

Nice.

[Zulu95]

"Analog instruments are controlled by the IKE from signals it receives over separate inputs. The needle of the coolant temperature gauge is centered if coolant temperature is between 75°C and 110°C.(167°F to 230°F)"