Hello all, I have recently noticed that the heating im my 96 WRX no longer produces hot air at low speeds only on a heavy foot. Whats the most common cause for the cars heating to fail and is it usually an easy prob to fix?

 

Low coolant level or pump not driving the coolant round the system,

 

Cheers, luckily pay days round the corner, I shall pop her into my local garage see what they can do.

 

First thing i'd be doing is checking theres coolant in it. Dont need a garage for that and running it low could cause other more serious and expensive issues

 

Forgot to say I'd checked the coolant level and it looks fine, between MIN and MAX. I checked it in the coolant top up point on the passengers side, is there anything else I should be checking? Thanks for the reply.

 

YES. check it on the offside bolted to the inlet manifold is the header tank. Metal cap. Dont take it off when the engine is hot. If it is low then fill it slowly. Dont rush or you could cause an air lock.

 

Cheers, does look quite low. Any patricular coolant to use or will any do? Nice car you got there by the way.

 

Cheers for the compliment on the car. Coolant, I think i would be inclined to put just water in for the time being and keep my eye on the level. Then when time & funds allow get it checked for leaks,Flushed and refilled with the correct %(mix) of water/coolant

 

Thanks for all your help. Topped her up and the heatings started working again, I think I need to learn a few more things about my engine. Booking her in tomorrow to get her checked out and what needs doing done. At least it didn't feel like hitting a brick wall like when my fuel pump failed on me, scared the heck out of me. Thanks again.

 

Hello again, Ive been keeping my eye on my coolant situation and it appears that my header tank is leaking around the top part which clamps on, also there appears to be a little water and coolant around the radiator, not sure if that was caused by the header tank leak. What sort of prices would I be looking at to replace the header tank and is an aftermarket one worth it over an original one? Smelly stuff this coolant once it hits something hot, smells like curry. cheers