of course i know it's spring now. but how can i get my truck to put out heat faster in the winter even after it idles for 10 minutes or so. it's doesn't get very warm.. it usually takes about a half hour or so. does anyone have this problem. i have a 98 dodge ram. does the engine block heaters work either the magnet type or the heater core line type.. in one of my cars it takes forever for me to get any heat is this a sign of bad heater core.

 

Start with replacing the t-stat with a quality one like a Stant super stat, while you are doing that, back flush the heater core. That will help some, but, since it's a 98, the heater core needs to be replaced. It's partially clogged and is a common problem.

 

how do you back flush the heater core and if the heater core would be replaced would i have to remove the dash

 

would a lower temp thermostat help

 

Similar issues with the heater core on a 2001? My truck takes forever to warm up as well.

 

temperature of t-stat doesn't matter too much, 180 or 195 is fine. 180 is hot enough for heat. backflush heater core by disconnecting/cutting heater hoses and forcing water both ways through it. be gentle with the heater pipes/hoses on the firewall, you don't want to rip the heater pipes out of the core.

to replace the heater core you do have to disassemble the whole damn dash. try to avoid this.

i don't understand how this works - but it works in my truck - to get heat faster i turn the control to max-a/c and temp dial to hot.

 

ok.. i seen somewhere on the net that i could just switch the lines on the heater core and that would backflush it.. would that work?

 

You want to flush the crap OUT of the system ... not into the engine and radiator.

 

how long should i flush it.. the water seems to flow fluidly.

 

An electric fan might help.