OT-Saturn SL1 Won't Warm Up, Help Please! Options

[SteveL]

Mom drives a 1997 Saturn SL1.
Last winter it had great heat. Once Warned up, temp guage was solid at 1/2.
Over the summer, the radiator died. Replaced with brand new. I also replaced the thermostat with a standard replacement.
Now, the temp guage only barely gets to 3/8, and it isn't hot enough to make good heat here in MN.

Help Please?

[woobn8r]

FWIW...I used to work in a rad shop, where I learned that 3 in 10 thermoststs are not accurate (defective) from the manufacturer....

Again, I would reccomend you look at the temperature range of the replacement thermostst....it's easy to get the wrong one.

A 1997 saturn is 10+ years old....have you ever flushed the cooling system? much of that crap could be blocking your heater core....it's also possible th heater core is plugged (just as your old radiator probably was)

The wrong antifreeze/water ratio will NOT cause a lack of heat....if the mixture is too weak (or old) the coolant freezes and your block/head/head gasket cracks. Well, maybe if you left the car for a week in sub zero temperatures and everything froze solid (not likely) you could have frozen the system....if you did, it will start leaking as soon as the car engine warms up. FWIW the coolant also boils at a higher temperature than pure water in the summer...both get screwed up with the wrong ratio.

Air could be trapped in the system especially if the thermostat is defective. Upon installation the vehicle must be run until the t-stat opens and the system "burps". if this was not allowed to happen and the cap was just put on when the system was filled you could be in trouble.

When the car is cold take off the rad cap...check the level. it will be low as the coolant has not expanded. start the car...wait for the car to warm up. The coolant should be HOT...steaming hot. Fill the system to "full level" and wait to see if the system "burps". If you are satisfied the t-stat is open (and working) close the cap and look for temperature anomolies at lines, and valves.

The new (stock replacement) radiator is not more effective...it just restores the system to factory levels.

I am not familiar with Saturns, but see if you can get access to the heater hose supply and return lines...feel them to see if they are both hot/warm ....if one side cool....you probably have a blocked heater core...if both cool ...a defective t-stat or bypass valve (if so equipped).

Personally, I'd put it outside and warm it up with a match and a small pile of paper/dirty rags underneath the car....and let insurance do the rest. (just kidding!!! don't actually do that)

Good luck