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2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem


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lawden
Novice

Feb 26, 2008, 8:55 PM

Post #1 of 11 (10060 views)
2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

I am currently experiencing a heating problem with my 2003 Chevrolet Venture. When the van is idiling, the heat stops blowing and slowly gets cold. When I start traveling again, the heat begins working again. Coolant levels are ok and all hoses appear to be sealed and in working order. I was told that a valve could be responsible for not keeping the heat in when the car is idiling and then closes when the car begins traveling creating the necessary vaccum pressure to push the heat into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Any ideas what else to look for and to bring the heat back into our car in this most necessary time of the year?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 27, 2008, 5:19 AM

Post #2 of 11 (10056 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

It's still blowing air right? If coolant flow thru core is weak this could happen. I'd feel the heater hoses and see if there is a sudden drop off in temp along their route. Vacuum may control air direction and a heater control valve in some cars (not sure for this one) but vacuum is higher at idle then going along so that's not the likely problem so far.

Sometimes the water pump impeller itself isn't up to snuff and just needs more RPMs to push coolant around. Personally that problem has never happened with car for me but it has been reported here and elswhere that it in fact can be the source of a problem like that,

T



lawden
Novice

Feb 27, 2008, 11:09 AM

Post #3 of 11 (10054 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Yes, air is still flowing, it is just cold when idling. A visual inspection of the hoses found that they appeared to be o.k., but I must admit that I do not know which hoses are the heater hoses. Any suggestions on where I can find a schematic to determine their placement within the engine compartment? What are my options if coolant flow thru the core is weak? Flush the heater core?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 27, 2008, 11:48 AM

Post #4 of 11 (10053 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Flushing system would be a good thing anyway. Heater hoses are dang near universal in that input line is 5/8 hose and output 3/4 hose. They should go towards firewall on passenger's side. Usually the input line starts near the water pump and may go thru a heater control valve with either or both electrical controls and a diaphragm to control water flow for selected temps.

The input line would be engine temp (watch that!) and would stay about the same temp to the control valve if used and on to firewall. You might have to wait a bit but if it get cold along the route then something is wrong there. The output hose is less temp if heater is blowing the hot air but could be the same if it can't exchange the heat.

Weak coolant flow for any reason - low coolant, plugged, would result in less heat. Since driving along seems to make it behave then the flow is in question - we know that.

Sometimes things as simple as the pressure cap isn't holding pressure can alter the volume of warm/hot coolant to core. Any air in the system just messes up all diagnosing so you always need to know that's not a factor.

I'm no thinking of a wild variety of problems because you said it behaves when driving along,

T



lawden
Novice

Feb 29, 2008, 7:11 PM

Post #5 of 11 (10044 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Ok...The heater core has been flushed with no problems noted. The hoses have been checked signaling proper air flow across the heater core. I was told that a possible check valve might be responsible for the problem. A repair manual has been consulted for the vehicle and no mention of a check valve is made, but the book is not very thorough. Does this vehicle have a check valve and could this be the source of the problem? Thanks for your ongoing help.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 1, 2008, 2:34 AM

Post #6 of 11 (10043 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Just looked and couldn't find a heater control valve listed for this vehicle?? That would be in line to adjust water flow thru core and not all systems do it that way. I think this uses an electrical actuator for a temp blend door in distribution box plenum. I would think if that wasn't diverting desired air flow % thru heater core it would be warmer at low speeds so let's not make that conclusion quite yet.

Feel the in and out hoses to the core when it's idling and blowing cold. Are then both hot or both cold? Then try lowest fan but highest heat request and rev up to about 1,500 RPM and see if hoses warm and air get warm in cabin.

Let's see if we can narrow down the possibilities of what's up with this,

T



lawden
Novice

Apr 1, 2008, 1:04 PM

Post #7 of 11 (9997 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Tom,
Recently the van has now began to leak antifreeze. I had a mechanic look at it and say that it is the intake gaskets that need replaced. I had these replaced in Nov. of 2006. Do they need replaced already? I called around for a service quote and was told anywhere from $500-$1300 with the dealerships winning the upward total (suprising I know). Does this sound right?


(This post was edited by lawden on Apr 1, 2008, 1:04 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Apr 1, 2008, 3:20 PM

Post #8 of 11 (9994 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

The intake manifold gasket are somewhat common and there was or is a settlement with GM about this - check on that for the cost of the first round. I've never heard of this twice! OE gasketing stunk and the OE dex-cool was blamed for problems with the whole cooling system not just gaskets.

Quote of $1300 seems way too high! What was to be done with that? $500 around here would be more like it - perhaps less. Gasket are cheap - it's a labor thing. Aftermarket gaskets are frequently better than originals in my experience.

Check on that GM/DexCool settlement. All I know is that the V8s were excluded for some reason?? Something with the Dex-cool anti-freeze was different and caused plugging up of things real early. I've not seen it in person but there are tons of pics of fairly new GM V6 and some others with gummy rust that would collect even at the radiator caps and showed dismantled engines that were a nightmare.

You might find the pic at www.GoHTSN.com - I think they discuss the problems. Hope you keep records. This could be one of those problems?? Look for gunk at the radiator cap for now and something has to give with it leaking anyway. You do not have to use the OE Dex-cool anti-freeze again as far as I know. I won't again,

T



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Apr 1, 2008, 3:26 PM

Post #9 of 11 (9993 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

http://www.gohtsn.com/article_1084.shtml


That should hav info on the settlement,

T



lawden
Novice

Apr 1, 2008, 5:17 PM

Post #10 of 11 (9992 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Thanks, the first time I had it done, I thought I would be good for more than the year and a half it has been since it was replaced. Now looking at another repair bill, this is getting tiring. I think that this is probably the source of my heating problems as well. What will the settlement mean for me? I have only used Dex-Cool antifreeze because that is what the manual said to use. What do you recommend I use from now on? I will not use it anymore if I don't have to.

Thanks for your help


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 1, 2008, 9:02 PM

Post #11 of 11 (9994 views)
Re: 2003 Chevrolet Venture Heating Problem Sign In

Des-Cool is still an "EG" anti-freeze - 'Ethylene-Glycol' based product. It first claimed it didn't need to be changed for 5 years and it's a different color as you know. In general it's best to ge with what a manufacturer suggests for a vehicle and that's where GM got caught up as there apparently were enough problems with it's properties to cause real engine problems associated with not controlling corrosion.

For some time engines have used more alloys and things that needed extra help and along comes this product and the vehicles clearly stated to use only that in them.

I've seen the pics of engines torn down that showed incredible build up and damage that ruined parts that would ordinarily last the life of a vehicle.

With anti-freeze the level of freeze protection does not expire with EG but the additives do. I have dealt with vehicles off new car warranties and read the product claims looking for "Meets or exceeds new car requirements" and have done well with that.

I'm seeing brand name products with no color added with claims to be compatible with the other EG based products out there and will start using that with the next change out/flush when vehicles are past warranty.

The gasket problems have happened to many of these vehicles but I was blaming that on the original gasket and still have not seen the damage that this original anti-freeze is blamed for causing. You are the first I've heard of with a second go around with the gasket - and with a 5 or so year old vehicle!! Something isn't right with that!

T







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