What should I do if my car heater is not working?

A little test you can do is leave the can running, stationary at home and take a look at your temperature gauge that should be in your dash. Once you see it get to the middle turn on your heaters and see if you’re getting heat. If you are getting heat, your thermostat needs changing.

Why is my heater not working on my F150?

While not having enough coolant may make your engine run hotter, it can also cause your F150 to not be able to create enough heat. Is there isn’t enough line pressure, due to low coolant, then the heater core will not be able to get any coolant itself. You can verify this by checking the coolant level by taking a peek at the overflow reservoir.

Why does my Chevy Trailblazer not have a heater?

One of the most common (and inconvenient) problems with the Chevy Trailblazer is when it has no heat coming from the heater. Not having a functioning heater makes driving much less comfortable, and can be a sign of certain issues.

Why does my hot water heater not last long?

If the nice warm heat doesn’t last very long, this is because you’re drawing the heat away from the circulated water. Check your temp gauge again and if starts to fall whilst you have the heaters on, the thermostat is broken. They’re cheap and your neighbouring handyman can fit one.

Squeeze the top radiator hose to help air pump around the system (taking care to avoid any moving parts, in particular the radiator fan, which could come on suddenly without warning). Between the engine heat and the water pump, all the air should be forced from the system.

What happens when the heater on a Ford F150 stops working?

At this point, the blower motor blows air across the it and the newly heated air blows on to the driver and passengers. If the heater has stopped working in your F150, this process has failed in one way or another.

When troubleshooting to try and repair the car heater, check the coolant ONLY when the engine is cold. That’s because removing the coolant cap on a hot pressurized system can result in severe burns. If a cooling system is full and there’s still no hot air coming from the vents, there could be air trapped in the system.

How can you tell if your car heater is plugged?

To check for a plugged heater core, start the vehicle and allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature while turning the heater to its hottest setting. Grasp both heater hoses, they both should be hot, if only one is hot, the core could be plugged or the heater control valve is malfunctioning.

Why does my car heater not blow hot air?

There are a few reasons why your car’s heater can fail to blow hot air into the passenger compartment. Let’s look at the most common causes and determine if they are something you can fix yourself. Low coolant level is the most common cause of poor heater output.

Why is the blend door on my car not working?

Blend Door – On older cars and many simpler systems, a physical flap directs air from the heater core or outside into the ducts inside the car. This door can become stuck or disconnected from the control slider or knob. This part is typically serviceable, but not particularly easy to get to.

Why is my car heater not working properly?

This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. When a car heater doesn’t work, the most common cause is low coolant. When troubleshooting to try and repair the car heater, check the coolant ONLY when the engine is cold. That’s because removing the coolant cap on a hot pressurized system can result in severe burns.

What happens if you have a broken car heater?

Also, a broken car heater will adversely affect the performance of your car’s defroster, which in turn hinders visibility, and limits your ability to drive safely. If you notice any issues with your car’s heater, ensure that you perform a thorough check of the system and get any problems fixed at the earliest.

What’s the problem with my Smart car heater?

First time they thought it was a loose connection to the blower motor. Second (this time 11/12/08) they could not duplicate the problem. I had a long talk with the service manager and he said they had to duplicate the problem in order to try to fix it. 1. Loose connection somewhere in the wiring.

What to do if your car heater is plugged?

Step 8 – The heater core is responsible for converting hot coolant into heated air, if this core becomes plugged it will not operate correctly. To check for a plugged heater core, start the vehicle and allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature while turning the heater to its hottest setting.

What can I do to keep my house warm without a heater?

Put down a rug or carpet. Rugs and carpets help prevent heat loss through the floor. They are generally warmer to the touch than wood or stone, and so offer a warmer surface to walk on. Add insulation in the attic and the crawl space. A lot of heat escapes through the attic, as warm air rises and cold air sinks.

What should I do if my electric heater fan is not working?

Replacing a circuit can be easy, whereas replacing or repairing the coil can be much more complicated. If the electric heater fan comes on, and you are not getting heat, it could be a blown circuit or resistor or a broken heater coil. You will want to open the case and start testing the circuits with the voltage regulator.

What’s the best way to replace an electric heater?

Modern heaters generally have a replaceable heater coil unit that can simply be installed. Make sure you follow power down procedures before removing the coil to avoid electric shock or short-circuiting. Find the electrical connections on the coil and remove them, and then dismount the coil. Install the new coil and close the case up.

Can a gas heater be used as a non electric heater?

A non-electric heater shouldn’t replace a home’s primary HVAC system. Attempting to use a non-electric heater as the main source of heat for a home presents several hazards. Gas heaters can produce high carbon monoxide levels in a home, which can cause illness and even death if not carefully monitored.

What to do if your car heater is not working?

After letting the car cool, remove the radiator cap and place the funnel in the opening. Pour in the new coolant until the reservoir is full. You may need to grab the main coolant hose and physically pump the coolant to ensure there are no air pockets. Replace the radiator cap.

What to do if your heater is blowing cold air?

Coolant level: If your coolant level is low, your heater core may not be getting enough warmed coolant through it to produce adequate heat. Solution: Top up the coolant and see if it helps. If the level is low due to a leak, track down the source and get it repaired.

What do you need to have a heater in your car?

To have heat, you need: enough water in your engine; a working thermostat, a working heater and heater controls a cooling system that doesn’t leak.

Why is the heater in my car blowing out cold air and not?

The problem with the heater on the Vauxhall Corsa (as well as the Renault Clio) is often that there is no power from the heaters at all. This issue has nothing to do with cold air coming out instead of heat. This loss of power is also a common issue on the Renault Clio.

Why is my car heater not working while idling?

This morning, I left my drive way and turned on the heater. It made a really strange whirring noise and then the engine cut out. It has made this noise before and the power dropped, but never cut. I p…

What happens if your car heater doesn’t work?

On cold days, a car that isn’t blowing warm air won’t be pleasant to drive, plus the situation places the driver and their passengers at risk if the windshield fogs up or ices over.

How does a car heater work in a car?

The radiator uses the outside air and a fan to cool the fluid in the system, while the heater core uses the heat from the coolant and a fan to warm the air inside the car. For the cold engine to warm up quickly, it is fitted with a thermostat.

To have heat, you need: enough water in your engine; a working thermostat, a working heater and heater controls a cooling system that doesn’t leak.

What causes a heating system to stop working?

Common reasons for the heating system not to work include the following: 1 Low coolant 2 Air in the coolant system 3 Malfunctioning heater core 4 Failed (or failing) thermostat

Why does my car heater keep losing water?

An engine that keeps losing water is a big problem, and not just because low water levels will keep your heater from putting out enough heat. A car that is not getting coolant will heat up and damage itself permanently. If it leaks water, you need to find the source.

Can a car heater be unreliable in the winter?

Unreliable car heaters can make the cold winter months practically unbearable. Several things can potentially go wrong with automotive heaters because, much like a home heating system, there are many components working together to heat your car. If one or more of these issues is present, your vehicle may blow out cool air rather than heat:

When does the car heater blow cold air?

I have 2006 VW beetle with the 2.5L engine. Once the engine has warmed to operating temperature, and I am driving it around, the heater works great. As soon as I stop at a red light, or am idling for any length of time the air coming out of the vents begins to lose temperature until it blows cool air.

Why does my car feel cool for a few minutes?

It can feel cool for the first few minutes because the engine has to warm up in order for the coolant to heat up and provide heat to your interior. If cool air continues to blow out, the first thing you should check is your coolant level. When your car is low on coolant, it won’t be able to send any to the heater core to create warm air.

When to replace the resistor on a heater?

If your fan speed control does not seem to work you may want to replace this fan speed control component. While the switch could have been the issue I also had a squealing blower motor and oftentimes you’ll burn up a resistor when running a squealing heater fan motor.

Why does my car heater take so long to warm up?

Often they will be flagged when you read the OBD fault codes. Thermostat – A faulty thermostat can cause too much or to little cooling. If it’s stuck open, the the engine is going to take longer to warm up because coolant will circulate all the time.

Where does the coolant go in a car heater?

The coolant is forced around the passages by a water pump. A thermostat prevents the coolant from flowing until the motor gets warm enough. Rubber hoses carry the coolant from the motor to the radiator, and also to the heater core, which is basically a smaller radiator under the dashboard.

What happens when your Chevy S10 heater stops working?

At this point, the blower motor blows air across the it and the newly heated air blows on to the driver and passengers. If the heater has stopped working in your S10, this process has failed in one way or another.

Where is the heater located on a Chevy Blazer?

The cabin heater in your vehicle produces heat from a heater core. The heater core is a small radiator, located under the dashboard of the vehicle and consists of conductive aluminium or brass tubing with cooling fins to increase surface area. Hot coolant passing through the heater core gives off heat before returning to the engine cooling circuit.

What should I do if my Chevy Blazer is not getting heat?

If you are not getting heat and the engine IS reaching operating temp then check the heater core by touching both heater hoses; they should both be hot. If one is hot and the other is cooler, then the core is plugged up.

What happens when the blower fails on a Chevy Equinox?

When the blower motor fails, the air conditioner and heater may still work, and heat or cool may be felt at the vents, but the air pressure will be dramatically decreased. This Read More When the heater control valve fails, adjusting the temperature may not change the air temperature at the vents, whether hot or cold.

Why is my car coolant not heating up?

If the temperature gauge isn’t moving much from the lowest reading, or the car runs poorly for more than a few minutes on a cold day, the cooling system may not be working properly. There are a few potential culprits for why your car engine coolant may not be heating up: Coolant Level – The first think to check is the coolant level!

Why does my Dodge Nitro heater not blow hot air?

If the door is continually in the position which is bypassing the heater core (cold setting), the air will not get warm regardless of the condition/operation of the heater core. I’d suggest having this component checked.

Why does my Dodge Caravan have no heat?

SOURCE: i have a 2000 dodge caravan, no heat Sounds like the air “blend” door might be inoperable. This door opens and closes a specified amount to regulate the amount of either cooled or heated air, as requested by the climate control unit.

Why is my car’s heater not working properly?

Blockage – The heater core is made up of many very thin tubes of metal, and if it becomes blocked the coolant may circulate as normal around the engine, but not flow through the heater core.

Why does my Dodge Ram 1500 blow heat from the floor?

Dodge RAM 1500 Questions – Heat blows from vents but won’t blow from floor when put on floor mode… – CarGurus.ca You most likely have an air door actuator problem. It’s stuck in the vent position and can’t shift to the floor position. The two doors that governs flow between dash vents and defrost/floor are “mode door 1” and “mode door 2.”

Why does my 2014 Sportwagon have no heat?

2014 sportwagon tdi no heat again! So I have no heat again. I have a 14 tdi sportwagon. Started having problems a while back. The issue was the car would reach operating temp according to the gauge in the car but I would get no heat at all. Took it to the dealer they had it for about 10 days. Said the problem was a blending door motor.

Why does my Chrysler 200 have no heat?

My 2012 Chrysler 200 that I bought new has 65000 miles on it and the heat will not work on the passenger side, had it inspected, flushed the heater core and still no heat. Mechanic says its the heater core and will have to be replaced, a $1200 fix…my car has very low miles, has been serviced faithfully, with oil changes and tire rotations.

What to do if your car heater doesn’t work?

Mechanic says its the heater core and will have to be replaced, a $1200 fix…my car has very low miles, has been serviced faithfully, with oil changes and tire rotations. Everything I am researching online says this is a common occurrence on this model of car, this should be a recall.

Why does my heater not work on the passenger side?

This issue is a hazard for visibility due to all of the car fogging up. The defrost barely works on the drivers side. The defrost must stay on at all times and does not work on passengers side. If the heat is on, it is very low temp and only works on the drivers side, the passenger side is cold as ice.

Why does my Dodge Ram run till warmed up?

When starting truck cold, it runs perfect. After truck warms up starts to idle bad, and also starts making a loud suction noise like a vacuum leak. There’s no vacuum leak ,the noise comes from the throttle body. If I turn off the truck and turn back on , it starts up fine till 5 min. later when it starts all over again.

What to do if your truck engine is overheating?

A Truck fan shroud helps funnel the air through the radiator and thus helps cool your engine. If your fan shroud breaks or cracks get it replaced as soon as possible to avoid overheating. Removing your fan shroud will cause engine overheating.

Why are the radiators on my truck overheating?

The copper brass radiator can internally corrode and plug themselves up and a condition called solder bloom could cause the tubes to seal shut. Both copper brass and aluminum radiators can also plug up when you add too much stop leak, or while working on the engine you allow gasket material or dirt to enter the cooling system.

How can I heat my car without replacing the cap?

To do this, set the heater controls in the car to maximum heat, remove the radiator cap (or remote mounted coolant pressure cap, sometimes on the overflow tank) and fill to the correct level. Now start the engine without replacing the cap and idle for a few minutes.

What happens if a heater blower has no power?

A blower motor without power will not be able to produce any air pressure, and as a result the heating and air conditioning system will be left with no air coming from the vents.

What are the signs of a bad heater motor?

Common signs include the car’s heater not working or getting stuck on a certain speed, or something getting jammed in the blower motor. 1. Blower motor stuck on one speed 2. Blower motor does not work on certain settings 3. No air from the vehicle’s vents Average rating from 130,908 customers who received a Vehicle Engine Cooling Inspection.

What happens when a heater motor resistor fails?

If the resistor shorts or fails, it may cause the blower motor to remain stuck on one fan speed. The heating and air conditioning systems may still function at one speed, however the resistor will have to be replaced in order for full functionality to be restored. 2. Blower motor does not work on certain settings

What are common reasons my Ford Expedition has heater problems?

What are common reasons my Ford Expedition has heater problems? While there are a variety of reasons your Ford Expedition heater is not working, the most common 3 are a broken heater blower motor, a problem with the thermostat, or a failed heater blower motor resistor.

What should I do if my truck heater is not working?

This can lead to clogs or loose clamps. If you’re struggling to find a coolant leak, these hoses should be one of the places you check. You should always replace old coolant hoses, along with any other hoses, when you notice any wear or leaks. How Much Does It Cost to Repair My Truck’s Heater?

What to do if your Ford Fusion heater is not working?

When the blower motor resistor fails, the air conditioner and heater may still work, but air may blow from the vents at only some of the fan speed settings. If the resistor isn…

What happens to the heater when the valve fails?

When the heater control valve fails, adjusting the temperature may not change the air temperature at the vents, whether hot or cold. Also, the valve could leak engine coolant, p… Read More A failing heater core may cause the car’s interior to smell like engine coolant. The smell will become worse when the heater is turned on.

What to do if your air conditioner has no heat?

This can be done by warming up the engine and feeling the temperature of the inlet and outlet hoses. If the inlet is hot and the outlet is cold you may still have some blockage inside the core. I personally believe your problem is with the temperature door itself withing the heater case.

Where is the a / C to heat control on a Jeep Liberty?

As with the Jeep Liberty, the A/C to heat control is the centre dial on your dash. This opens and shuts the gate behind the dash to determine how much hot or cold air goes into the system. This is operated by an electronic part called an actuator. It simply goes up and down to open and shut the gate.

Why is my central heating system not working?

Central Heating Problems. Problem: Certain parts of the house are not heating If your heater is unevenly distributing heat throughout your home, your issue could be attributed to two primary things: dirty air filters and inadequate ductwork. Check your air filters for dust and debris and change them accordingly.

What to do if your room heater is blowing cold air?

Room Heating Issues. Consult your owner’s manual for advice and information, including any information about a parts warranty. Problem: Heater is blowing cold air If your heater turns on but it’s blowing cold air, turn it off and check to make sure there’s nothing obstructing the blower.

Why is my electric heater not turning on?

CAUSE: The first and most common cause for electric heater not working or turning on is problem with the power supply. SOLUTION: You need to make sure that power is available from the main supply. If yes, then check whether the power switch is working properly or not.

Why is the air blowing out of my car heater?

Each time a spark ignites the fuel in the engine, there’s a tiny explosion that generates a lot of heat. The radiator, thermostat, belts, water pump and hoses are responsible for circulating water to the engine to keep it from overheating.

How does a car heater core work in a car?

How a car heater core works The radiator uses the outside air and a fan to cool the fluid in the system, while the heater core uses the heat from the coolant and a fan to warm the air inside the car. For the cold engine to warm up quickly, it is fitted with a thermostat.

Can a faulty thermostat cause a car to not feel warm?

A faulty thermostat will affect the proper flow of water and can cause issues with the heating system. The heater control value isn’t working. This valve opens to allow the water to flow into the heater core. If the heater control valve is the culprit, the air coming into your vehicle won’t feel warm.

Why is air coming out of my car heater not hot?

This valve opens to allow the water to flow into the heater core. If the heater control valve is the culprit, the air coming into your vehicle won’t feel warm. The heater core may also leak coolant. The heater core is clogged from debris in the cooling system.

Why is the Vauxhall Corsa heater blowing out cold air?

What to do if your car heater is blowing out cold air?

Run the engine until the fan kicks in. Once your fan has come on, look around the radiator for a bleed port or bleed screw. This is something that can be turned with a screwdriver. Once you turn it anti-clockwise, you should hear a hiss; this is the air being released. 4. Are the Heater or Heater Controls Broken?

What to do if your car heater is too low?

The amount of coolant in the system is too low. When your vehicle’s engine has cooled down, open the radiator cap and check the level of coolant. If you find it’s too low, you will want to add the appropriate mixture of coolant and water to the radiator. You will also want to schedule an appointment to find out where the coolant is leaking.

What happens if there is no hot air coming from the heater?

If there is no hot air coming from the heater it is usually do to no hot coolant circulating in the engine. So if you have no hot heater air AND you have an overheating engine…this could mean you have no coolant in the engine, or not enough coolant.

What to do if your car is overheating but no heat?

Now, if the upper radiator hose is hot but the lower hose and the heater hoses are cold then try a new thermostat and see if the issue is repaired or not. The thermostat should open and close as the engine temp moves up. If the thermostat is “stuck” it can close off all coolant to the engine…thus overheating and no heater heat will result.

Why does my car have no heat in it?

That system consists of a water pump to circulate a 50-50 mixture of coolant and water through the engine, a radiator to release some of the heat into the air, a thermostat to decide when you need to cool your engine and when you don’t, and coolant —that colored liquid that circulates through the entire system.

Why does my car heater blow cold air?

When Your Car Heater Blows Cold Air Quick Crash Course in Car Heater Operation. First off, everything here applies to vehicles with water-cooled engines. Car Heater Blowing Cold Due to Cooling System Issue. Stuck thermostat. Stuck Thermostats. Air in the Cooling System. Plugged Heater Core. Coolant Not Flowing Through the Heater Core. Other Reasons a Car Heater Can Blow Cold.

Why is my heater blowing cold air?

A heater blowing cold air could be a result of a leak in your ducting. Over time, the changing temperatures wear on all sorts of things and your ductwork is no exception. Your ducts are usually in the attic and outside of your insulation, exposing them to the bitter cold.

Why would a car heater blow cold air?

One of the most common causes of a car heater blowing cold air is from low coolant. As stated before, coolant is what warms the heater core – if the coolant is low, there may not be enough heat transfer from the heater core to the air to heat the passenger compartment.

When your car heater blows cold air?

Problems with the engine’s thermostat. The thermostat works as a valve to control the coolant flow to the radiator.
Low coolant level. The coolant fluid is the source of heat supporting the heating system.
Air bubbles in the cooling system.
Issues with the heater core.
Issues with the heater controls.

What should I do if my car thermostat is not working?

You can remove the thermostat and test it in a pan of almost boiling water, it should open just before it reaches the boiling point, then close as the water cools. If doesn’t move, then replace it! Fixes: The only way to fix a faulty thermostat or temperature sender is to replace it.

How does a thermostat work on a car heater?

A thermostat prevents the coolant from flowing until the motor gets warm enough. Rubber hoses carry the coolant from the motor to the radiator, and also to the heater core, which is basically a smaller radiator under the dashboard.

Why is my Ford Windstar heater not working?

While there are a variety of reasons your Ford Windstar heater is not working, the most common 3 are a broken heater blower motor, a problem with the thermostat, or a failed heater blower motor resistor.

What happens if the heater control valve fails?

When the heater control valve fails, adjusting the temperature may not change the air temperature at the vents, whether hot or cold. Also, the valve could leak engine coolant, p…

Why does my Acura heater smell like engine coolant?

A failing heater core may cause the car’s interior to smell like engine coolant. The smell will become worse when the heater is turned on. The engine may also begin to run hotte…

What to do if your direct fired heater is not working?

First, turn off your heater and unplug it from your power source. Tip the heater so the barrel faces upward. Take your wire brush and clean the black residue off of the spark plug. Once the residue is cleaned off, tip your heater back down and plug it into your power source.

Which is the best diesel heater for a truck?

Coolant heaters provide efficient preheating for engines, hydraulic systems, hot water tanks, and auxiliary heat for cargo or passenger space. COMBO 25D-12 is the most optimal 12V diesel auxiliary heating system for commercial trucks and heavy equipment.

How much does a Ford Explorer heat blend actuator cost?

This is a 02 Ford Explorer that has a broken and worn heat blend door actuator. The labor at a dealership with parts is approx $700-800 if you take it to the pros, The cost of the part is approx $65.00 if you want to do it yourself, or you can give this a try and save even more.

What causes a car heater to get stuck on the hottest setting?

A clicking sound from the dash area would commonly indicate an actuator fault. If the heater gets stuck on the hottest setting, the heater blend door may be broken requiring replacement of the heater box to repair the issue. Ready to sell? CarMax buys all kinds of cars

An engine that keeps losing water is a big problem, and not just because low water levels will keep your heater from putting out enough heat. A car that is not getting coolant will heat up and damage itself permanently. If it leaks water, you need to find the source.

Begin with the vehicle on level ground, engine off (cold) in park with the emergency brake set. Step 1 – A heater cannot operate unless the engine is full of coolant/antifreeze. If coolant level is low check the system for leaks. Step 2 – The engine thermostat control the rate in which the engine heats up.

Can a poor fuel pressure regulator cause a Ford to stall?

A poor fuel pressure regulator can also cause your Ford to stall while idling or driving. While it will most likely occur while idling, it is not unheard of for the car to stall while you are driving down the road.

What should I do if my Ford heater is not working?

Using a fused jumper wire, provide power and ground to the actuator using the wiring diagram to see if the motor operates. If the motor doesn’t move, replace the actuator. In most cases, it’s the actuator that’s bad. However, you are risking the cost of the actuator if the problem turns out to be in the HVAC controller.

What causes a car heater to have no heat?

Low coolant will result in low heat or no heat. If low, add coolant. Next, check the hoses to the heater core when the engine is hot. Both the incoming and outgoing hoses should be HOT. If one hose is hot and the other cold, you’ve got a clogged heater core, a restriction in the system or air in the system.

How to test Ford heater blend door actuator?

How to test Ford heater blend door actuator. The Ford shop manual shows several ways to test the blend door actuator. Jumper the motor connections at the actuator with fused battery voltage to move the motor. Test for + and – on each actuator connector coming from the HVAC controller.

What kind of engine does a Ford Contour have?

Its 2.5L Duratec 25 SVT V6 engine had a higher maximum output of 195 hp and 165 ft.-lbs. of torque. This year saw the Ford Contour reach the peak of its performance. The 2.0L Zetec I4 engine now produced an additional 5 hp while the SVT’s maximum power peaked at a higher 200 hp.

Can a bad blower motor indicate a bad heater core?

It may indicate that your blower motor or another component of your heater has gone bad (cheer up, it may be a component that’s less tedious to fix than the heater core). Though, if you’re seeing one of the other signs in addition to a lack of heat that’s a pretty good indicator that the heater core itself has a problem.

Can a bad heater core cause your car to overheat?

Can a Bad Heater Core Cause Overheating? Leaks are the #1 reason a vehicle begins to overheat. Leaks in hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, head gasket, freeze plugs and a few other things can all lead to problems with the vehicle’s cooling system.

What does it mean when your car has no heat?

Well, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t bad. You are correct on older vehicles that is usually the problem. One way to check is to feel both heater hoses. If one is hot and the other not then no coolant through the core. Thus core plugged. If there was no heat at all and the temp gauge was reading really low, then possibly a thermostat stuck open.

What are common reasons my GMC Jimmy heater is not working?

What are common reasons my GMC Jimmy has heater problems? While there are a variety of reasons your GMC Jimmy heater is not working, the most common 3 are a broken heater blower motor, a problem with the thermostat, or a failed heater blower motor resistor. See what others are asking about their GMC Jimmy.

What to do if your car heater is not blowing heat?

Visually check the water pump behind the pulley for signs of a coolant leak. If the water pump gasket is leaking, it must be replaced. Also vehicles can overheat and or not cool properly. Now at that.I don’t see that is your problem. The engine temp is okay. It is the heater which leads me back to air in the system.

Well, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t bad. You are correct on older vehicles that is usually the problem. One way to check is to feel both heater hoses. If one is hot and the other not then no coolant through the core. Thus core plugged. If there was no heat at all and the temp gauge was reading really low, then possibly a thermostat stuck open.

What should I do if my car heater is not working?