Heater isn't warm!

[tmb]

I just bought an '02 Air that already had a heater installed. The problem is that the air being blown out is not warm. Any suggestions?

[Downsideup]

RE: Heater isn

I assume that you are trying it while the engine is hot? If not, there's your problem. If so, then you probably need to check to make sure that the hot water is getting from the engine to the heater core.

[bkhallpass]

TMB, to be more specific.
On these heaters, water passes through your engine block and
into a hose which goes to your heater core. A fan then blows across
the heater core, pushing air into the heater tubes. If the water
is hot, the air should be hot. So, if you your fan is working and
air is blowing, then either 1) you switched the heater on
when the engine was not running, or when it was not warmed up (in which case you would hear and feel a fan, but no heat), or
2) something is blocking the hot water from the block to the
heater core.

BKH

[Daryl]

you might want to check the hose for a valve. On my heater installation i put a valve on the heater hose so if there is a problem it can easily be isolated.

and bkhallpass has a good point above - the engine needs to be running (and warmed up) to circulate the hot water through the heater core.

[tmb]

The engine was running for over 30 minutes. I think the temp was around 140. I'll check for a valve or something that would be preventing the water from getting to the heater core.

[wakejunky]

Here is something I noticed during my tenure at CC, the heater hoses coming off the engine and then again at the heater core were sometimes pinched to a point where the hoses probably weren't curculating any water to/from the heater core. It's almost like they were 3-4" too short at the engine and then under the kickpanel just the angle of the hose fittings on the heater core.
So, on my 03' I put a 90' elbow at the engine on the feed line and then 2-90' elbows at the heater core, under the kick panel to ensure that I was getting hot water up there.

Chris

[j2nh]

My last two nautiques had heaters which would not blow warm air unless the engine was running above idle speed. Simply not heat being generated in the engine. Bring it up off idle and they worked great. Took delivery on an 05 196 on Sunday with the ZR6. Hoping that the closed cooling will increase the efficiency of the heater. Better yet, hoping I won't need it this summer.

[NCH2oSki]

Call heatercraft and order the low rpm Y adapter to increase the heat at low speeds. Mine works like a charm.

[gotwake]

An issue I had with my 02 Super Air -
The hoses ran on top and to the side of the center ballast tank. When the tank was full it would pinch the hoses off between the tank and the floor. Re-routed, good to go-

[todda]

Also, I had a heater coil go out on my Ski Brendella after having it winterized, but the fool didn't drain the water from the hoses in/out of the heater. Water sat in the heater over the winter and froze, popping the coil. Hope this isn't your problem too.
Todd

[tmb]

It ran great this weekend. I think the whole problem was that I was running at a low rpm. I think I will contact heatercraft to get the low rpm adapter like NCH suggested.

[bkhallpass]

It ran great this weekend. I think the whole problem was that I was running at a low rpm. I think I will contact heatercraft to get the low rpm adapter like NCH suggested.

Good info. Thanks for following up. I'll have to take
a look at that adapter and see how it works.

BKH