heating my toyota Rav4 take ages about 2 miles then bottom heater hose cold heater warm not...

c5 · 10 Jul 2010, 01:39 pm

...hot any idea's?

melaniedkey · 10 Jul 2010, 01:40 pm

it will take it several miles for the heater to get hot. if it isnt getting hot at all, sounds like the thermostat on the engine needs to be replaced.

nosdda · 10 Jul 2010, 01:42 pm

If you still have a problem after driving about 10 miles, then it can be two faults. It can be a faulty engine thermostat sticking, or you have an Air lock in the heater matrix. To clear the airlock, you ned to start with a cold engine, and remove the radiator filler cap. Then start the engine, and keep revving it until the temperature gauge is at its normal setting. Have some engine coolant ready, because when it reaches normal temperature, you will see air bubbles coming out at the expansion tank. Wait until the water level starts to drop, then add fresh coolant. keep the engine going until no more bubbles appear. That should put your heater right.

USAFisnumber1 · 10 Jul 2010, 01:45 pm

Check the thermostat in the radiator if it is sticking in the open position then you have to heat the engine and radiator water before you get any decent heat.

Make sure the AC is not turning on. Seems kind of illogical for the AC to come on in the winter but sometimes the auto setting turns it on to dry out the air so your windshield does not fog over. If the auto setting is not working right, you get too much AC and not enough heat. Simply go to manual and turn off the AC.

Check your heat/cold control. Burn it left and right and see if you get any change in the temperature of the air coming out. If it is not working, the air temp will not change. That will tell you that it is stuck in a setting of low heat.

Take it to a dealer...