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Most of the time, getting your car to warm up in cold weather is as easy as turning on the ignition and switching on the heat. While this action may be simple, your car heater uses a variety of complex components to function. When these parts fail, so will proper climate control. To help you avoid facing the bitter cold temperatures behind the wheel, keep an eye out for a few common signs of car heater trouble.  

4 Signs a Car Heater Is Going Bad

1. Windows Fog Up

car heaterMany people discover their car heater is broken when their windows start to fog up as they drive. This occurs when the heater core — the device responsible for circulating coolant through a heat exchanger to create hot air — is damaged. A small leak can cause hot coolant to dissipate in the cold air, leading to the fog effect.

2. Dropping Coolant Levels

Coolant levels gradually decrease over time, but if you’re constantly filling up your reserves, you likely have a leak that makes heating difficult. If you notice moisture building up on the passenger-side floor, the heater core likely has a leak. If there is a puddle of coolant under the engine, you may have a radiator leak instead.

3. No Air Blowing

If you crank the thermostat only to find that no air — hot or cold — comes out of the vents, the blower fan is likely to blame. The good news is this part is usually less expensive to fix than the heater core.

4. Only Cold Air Blows

When cold air pumps through, there are no signs of a coolant leak, and the engine is warming up without issue, there could be a number of reasons why things aren’t working. Often, the heater core is clogged up and needs to be flushed. In other cases, you may have a faulty water pump or thermostat.

 

Small issues — such as clogged heater cores and minor radiator leaks — are often easy, affordable fixes. But over time, these problems can lead to expensive damage. When you need to get to the bottom of your car heater complications, Cookeville Radiator Shop offers expert care to Putnam County, TN, motorists, addressing everything from coolant leaks to bad cores. Specializing in radiator repair, these mechanics will quickly pinpoint the problem and provide a cost-effective solution to keep you on the road in comfort. Learn more about their services online, or call (931) 526-2013 to request a service appointment.

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