# Surging heat- wtf? **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [October 28, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836 "2008-10-28T15:30:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LKSi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lksi/32/6316_2.png) [@LKSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LKSi)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/21 "2008-10-28T16:31:06Z")
> [@PJB](#): > > Yeah, that narrows it down just a bit. Just replace the entire heating system and itll be ok. > Its the original thermostat so definately not the wrong one. Not saying to replace the whole system… most of that stuff is pretty easy to check. I’m sure you can rule out the obvious ones ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/22 "2008-10-28T16:33:17Z")
> [@LKSwhy?](#): > > Not saying to replace the whole system… most of that stuff is pretty easy to check. I’m sure you can rule out the obvious ones I actually kinda thought you were joking. Its kinda hard to check it now because its dark and raining. The heat worked fine this morning and on the way home from work. ---
**Author:** ![imported\_hybrdthry91](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_hybrdthry91/32/6315_2.png) [@imported\_hybrdthry91](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_hybrdthry91)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/23 "2008-10-28T16:34:45Z")
> [@PJB](#): > > Yeah, that narrows it down just a bit. Just replace the entire heating system and itll be ok. > Its the original thermostat so definately not the wrong one. check your coolant level. if you lost a lot of coolant it could cause this. and if coolant is low find out why. this happened on an old camry i had. ---
**Author:** ![LKSi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lksi/32/6316_2.png) [@LKSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LKSi)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/24 "2008-10-28T16:35:39Z")
> [@PJB](#): > > I actually kinda thought you were joking. > > Its kinda hard to check it now because its dark and raining. The heat worked fine this morning and on the way home from work. I just copied and pasted straight from the service manual. No joking around this time. ---
**Author:** ![n\_cole](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n_cole/32/6382_2.png) [@n\_cole](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n_cole)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/25 "2008-10-28T16:36:32Z")
Paul you’re probably just drunk and getting hot flashes. I’m sure the heat works fine. :🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Neo187H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/898d66/32.png) [@Neo187H](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Neo187H)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/26 "2008-10-28T17:05:39Z")
Does the system use a valve to stop coolant flow through the heater core when the heater isnt in use? If so that is a very likely cause. ---
**Author:** ![JClark](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jclark/32/6309_2.png) [@JClark](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JClark)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/27 "2008-10-28T17:08:25Z")
Does it change with engine speed or on its own? ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/28 "2008-10-28T17:23:02Z")
> [@hybrdthry911](#): > > check your coolant level. if you lost a lot of coolant it could cause this. and if coolant is low find out why. this happened on an old camry i had. I dont even know where the overflow tank is and the radiator was too hot to pull the cap. I dont think its losing coolant though- no puddles or smoke. > [@n!cole](#): > > Paul you’re probably just drunk and getting hot flashes. I’m sure the heat works fine. :🙂 It takes alot more than 2 beers for me to be drunk. My dad was in the car and he felt it too. > [@Neo187H](#): > > Does the system use a valve to stop coolant flow through the heater core when the heater isnt in use? If so that is a very likely cause. Ive got no clue. > [@JClark](#): > > Does it change with engine speed or on its own? Seems to be on its own. It was doing it while stopped too. ---
**Author:** ![88slowmarro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/88slowmarro/32/6339_2.png) [@88slowmarro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/88slowmarro)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/29 "2008-10-28T18:49:18Z")
its either low coolant causibg air pockets or a bad t-stat not causing coolant to ciculate …or at a worst a smoked head gasket causing air pockets ic system …most likely change t-stat and coolant flush and refill most new coolant boils away a little after time if ya never checked it its prolly empty as hell check it or bring it up and i can tommmorow ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/30 "2008-10-29T01:29:47Z")
Ill check it out in the daylight today if we get any and go from there. I couldnt even find the coolant tank last night- its probably under one of the plastic covers. Im never under the hood of this car (unlike the other one) so I have no clue where anything is for the most part. The headgasket would be covered by the warranty so that wouldnt be a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/31 "2008-10-29T13:58:41Z")
I checked the coolant and it was just a little low so I added some. Same issue. I noticed this on both hoses where they go into the motor: ![http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg111/PaulJBrudzienski/DSC02338.jpg](http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg111/PaulJBrudzienski/DSC02338.jpg) WTF is that? I dont want to throw parts at the car so Im not replacing the thermostat until I know its bad. ---
**Author:** ![tdi\_logik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tdi_logik/32/6310_2.png) [@tdi\_logik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tdi_logik)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/32 "2008-10-29T14:46:09Z")
warranty PAUL! ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/33 "2008-10-29T14:49:22Z")
All Ive got left is the powertrain warranty. Its got 66k so its over the bumper to bumper one. ---
**Author:** ![tdi\_logik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tdi_logik/32/6310_2.png) [@tdi\_logik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tdi_logik)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/34 "2008-10-29T14:56:25Z")
> [@PJB](#): > > All Ive got left is the powertrain warranty. Its got 66k so its over the bumper to bumper one. powertrain would be thrmostat i think. ---
**Author:** ![SDP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SDP](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SDP)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/35 "2008-10-29T15:01:29Z")
I bet there is air in the system. Is there any bleeder caps or screws on the engine? Park in on a hill so the nose of the car is high up. Top off the coolant and let it run for a while with the cap off. When the thermostat opens the lower radiator hose will get hot, run it for a few more minutes and rev the engine 2-3k a few times. Top it off and see how the heat is. ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/36 "2008-10-29T15:04:34Z")
Im not sure if theres a bleeder or not without looking at it. As far as I know the cooling system has never been opened up so how would air be getting in? What about the white shit on the hoses- whats that? ---
**Author:** ![88slowmarro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/88slowmarro/32/6339_2.png) [@88slowmarro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/88slowmarro)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/37 "2008-10-29T19:36:46Z")
white shit is crusty coolant notorious o tension clamped hoses pull the hoses off clean all the white shit and reclamp with a normal worm gear clamp,air can get into sytem if coolant is low or if the resovor went empty it doesent have to come apart trust me put in a new t-stat and refill coolant wit it runnin and heat on it should be ok :nod ;D ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836/38 "2008-10-30T01:30:07Z")
Ill see if Ive got a chance to do it after work. The thought of spilling coolant all over isnt so great. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surging-heat-wtf/239836.md?page=1)