Hello, I have a 1985 280TE Wagon that has an issue with the heater. After driving 10-15 minutes the water temp gets up to 80 degrees C or so and the air coming out of the vents is lukewarm at best. If I turn the car totally off and it sits for 2 to 5 minutes and then re-start the car the air coming out is now hot. I am not very mechanically inclined (I know, wrong car ). Any suggestions on where to start? I will need to find a REAL mechanic and would like to have some idea prior to taking the car in. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Kevin

 

I think your secondary coolant pump,, thats there to help circulate the coolant needs checking ,if its not working then it wont circulate the hot coolant to the heater in the car . And if your top hose is not hot from the engine to the radiator the thermostat is stuck open .

 

Thank you. I'll have that checked out.

 

Thank you. I'll have that checked out.

 

Marken this is the secondary coolant pump, Or thermostat stuck . There is another part that it can be,, the heater valves .These can be rebuilt with a repair kit .Feel the coolant pipe that goes in to the heater valve, the one going in should be hot after the car is started for a few mins after coolant as circulated and the thermostat has opened up. the hot pipe going in to the secondaty heater pump should also be hot . So if all hoses are hot right up to the heater valves,, and you still dont have hot air in the cabin this points to the heater valves problem .I will post a picture of heater valves .

 

Marken the heater valves are nor worth replacing with the parts . its best to replace them for a new unit . Pic of thermostat location... and the heater valve id

 

Thank you again for your help and the photos.