Heat is not working.?

[Dom]

Hello again well finally just got my car started and now i ran into different problems .First is my heat is not working no hot air and also the radiator seem to be getting no flow, when i squeezed the hose going to engine and radiator it was not flowing also the fan did not kick on (well it really didn't get that hot for it to kick on just turned it off until i find out the problem). Can anyone think of what it might be.

Thanks

[bravekozak]

Thermostat does not open. Remove and test thermostat.

[Dom]

thanks will check in the morning

[MasterTec]

Also keep in mind the heat will not blow out of the vents on these... you can only get hot air out of the floor or defrost. It's just the way it's made.

[bravekozak]

thanks will check in the morning

Before you hang it from a coathanger in a pot of water, with a thermometer and gradually heat it up on the oven burner to see if it opens at the right temperature (or at all),

check around to know for sure you can get a replacement thermostat + a gasket.

[Dom]

Someone had also mentioned to get a mazda 323 thermostat is that ok ? Or which one would anyone recommend .
Also where is the heater core located i would like to flush that out as well ?

[hotfordcat]

Someone had also mentioned to get a mazda 323 thermostat is that ok ? Or which one would anyone recommend .
Also where is the heater core located i would like to flush that out as well ?

Mazda number is 8AK1-15-171-9U

[Dom]

Would that be ok for a stock festiva, i keep hearing b6 engine on here is that whats in my stock festiva?

[bravekozak]

Stock engine in a Festiva is B3 (1.3L). The Mazda 323 engine is B6 (1.6L). Identical, except for bore.

[Dom]

ok great thanks , as for the heater core i can not seem to find any info on the location on it any idea?

[bravekozak]

The heater core is inside your blower assembly behind your dash. There are two hose connectors on your engine firewall. Take off the heater hoses, put on another couple of pieces of Home Depot hose (point one down at the ground, stick a hose adapter on the other) (use hose clamps) and run water from a garden hose, back and forth to clean out any buildup inside your heater core. Be sure to do it in both directions, until the water runs out crystal clean. The way I do it, I don't get any water on myself. This PM (preventive maintenance) stuff should really be done in the summer.

[Dom]

Thanks for your help , I would like to do it in the summer but the car has not been started in a while and seeing the condition of the rusty coolant just got a lil concerned and didn't want to damage anything so I figured I would do it now before I get it on the road this will be my commuter car so I want I to be in good shape

[Spike]

Also, noteworthy-

Be very careful when putting the thermostat housing back on.. don't overtighten those bolts!!! Not.. that I did my first time.. >_>.. and snapped a piece I can't go buy at Autozone.

What I'm saying is, tighten until it gets grip, but don't torque it at all (it's a weak plastic-thingy). If you snap that housing, you have to find a parts Festiva to get one again.

Best of luck with your new car!!

~Joe

[Dom]

Thanks for the heads up, will see how it goes when I get the new stat in and flush the coolant.

[Flw Sock]

Hey Dom,

I just had this problem, and fixed it last week. The thermostat you want is from a mazda 323 1990. (I think its the same from 1986-2000, something like that). It's part #41492 from oreilly's. Make sure you buy a gasket, because the thermostat doesn't come with it. Also, make sure that the smaller spring is angled up and to the right. This is important! I learned the hard way by cracking my housing.

As for testing your thermostat, I just got a pot of boiling water, and threw the new thermostat in with the old, and watched as the new one opened and closed flawlessly, and the old one failed to do much of anything.

Be careful with the housing!!!!!!!