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1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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uppersandusky
New User
Jan 27, 2008, 2:53 PM
Post #1 of 6
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1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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I can't get any heat through to the inside of my car. It's a 1983 Buick Le Sabre Limited w/an 5.0L oldsmobile engine. I did all the repair it needed under the hood, but thevacuum line from the heater valve to heater burnt off. I do not know how to repair this from under the dash. Is there a way I can open the heater flaps without repairing the vacuum line until spring? I'm in Ohio and it's mighty darn cold here these days. The car run super but without an answer to the heating problem I' stuck at home mostly!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 27, 2008, 3:41 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: 1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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Is that the thing the vacuum hose "burnt" off of? Wish I could recall but isn't that vacuum hose real fine like a hose for windshield washer? Does it go to plastic from an elbow? If the plastic line broke you can put washer vacuum hose over the broken or burned area. You might find what you need in a hardware store - bring a small peice with you or ask at regular parts stores too. This used to be on rolls and things not all inventoried and boxed like it would now.
Note: You can make just rubber make a right angle by using a length and making a "loop-d-loo" if you will.
I think you could fake it for a while if the line goes into dash and you can't get at it where it broke by just finding manifold vacuum in another line and put a "T" in there to this. That might give you max temp for now. If this is really an emergency use a peice of pipe in place of the thing altogether should do. Not all plastic barbed items will take engine heat that you might find in plumbing parts in hardware. I've used a deep socket wrench in a jam also.
If that plastic line is the problem cut it where it is good with a razor blade rather than like wire cutters.
If I recall, these used to break from just checking trans fluid when they were old and brittle. Hope I'm on the same page with you on this problem,
T
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uppersandusky
New User
Jan 27, 2008, 6:27 PM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: 1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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Big Apology to you, my bad. I neglected to tell you that vacuum hose came all the way out of the firewall. The picture of the part was right on mark! I already used a different vacuum source to operate the heater valve, and is working perfect. That's why I need to fix it right, or know how to open the accuator flaps or doors ? From the inside of the car. So that I can fix it properly in the spring. Trying to get a temporary fix for now. Having heat blowing at me all the time is no problem. Am I heading in the right direction? Thanks in advance for any and all the help you can provied. Can't afford to take it to the shop. But I do all the work on it myself anyway.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 28, 2008, 12:50 AM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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This should be doable. Seems like you are ok for the moment. It's cold here too and it's not just a convenience to have heat - it's mandatory!
Not sure how much I can find for pics or diagrams for this but no matter. Just note where the hose went into firewall and scope that out from the inside. Actuall that hose is coming out of the firewall and the original vacuum line goes in elsewhere but the same way to the back of the control head and that directs assorted functions.
If you are working outside I hope this can wait a bit. You can get a shot at things by removing passenger's side under dash panels and thru glovebox and should see what goes where. Simple hose plumbing. It's just going to involve taking a look at what's left of that on the inside.
I'm gettin old I guess but this is where a good old fashioned auto parts store really helps if any are left. The chain stores are lost selling things by the foot or that aren't packed in assortment blister packs that can easily be inventoried. Somewhere between good hardware stores and auto parts you can fix any of this. Know that automotive hose will take temp extremes better than some hose that may fit from hardware. Look for "neoprene" and ratings for stuff if listed. Vacuum hose must not be so soft as to collapse,
T
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uppersandusky
New User
Feb 17, 2008, 5:36 PM
Post #5 of 6
(2799 views)
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Re: 1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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 Thanks alot Tom!!! The heat problem is no longer! I did all the things you advised me too. Because of the cold my glove box is in my backseat, along with a few other dash parts. But I think I can live without it for awhile. I found that the vaccum line inside the car ran through a plastic connector through the firewall, it was put through each side of the plastic piece. So what I did was scope out the situation, and used the old plastic vaccum line and then after it was put through the firewall I added automotive vaccum rubber hose to run it to the heater valve. Leaving a long piece of rubber hose leading away from the motor. Actually not as hard to do as some others had said. But then I had all kinds of guessing going on no offense intended, but all were from men. Being a woman grease monkey still isn't takin very well today. Oh well mabye this to shall pass! Thanks So Much for you're help, not at home as much now.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 18, 2008, 12:37 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: 1983 Buick Le Sabre no heat
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Hey - you go girl! This is NOT a trade for just men - in fact women can be much better at things because they don't just get mad and throw things when things don't work out right the first time! No joke here - my last round of certifications had 5 female fully ASE certified techs that owned and operated their own shop!
Do save all the glovebox and dash parts. They can be fussy to put back together. Little screws and things might need taping to driver or sockets to hold them to get started or magnetic stuff helps sometimes.
Good luck with it,
Tom
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