2 issues 1993 Bonneville SSE

[Griff951]

Hi,
Have been encountering two problems that are a bit perperplexing.
1. Whenever I turn on the heat it seems hit or miss whether whether you get heat or not. I changed out the thermostat and the problem still persists. I was thinking could this be an issue with the heater core but I don't detect any anti-freeze smell. Any suggestions would be welome.
2. A month or so ago I noticed a slight miss. I was out of the country for work so my wife had it checked out locally and had plugs etc changed. Ran grat for a while. Last night it when I was passing people I fealt hesitation and lack of power as well as miss again. Any suggestion please?
As alwys.
Thanks!!!!

[motopsyco]

not sure on the heater thing, I've been seeing alot of posts similar to your issues, try checking out older posts and see if someone has solved the issue. As for the missing, check the plugs and make sure the mechanic didnt put in platinums, I hear these cars dont like the platinum plugs, I had a 91 firebird that ran horrible after about 100 miles after putting in boche platinums, same with a mustang gt too. Someone might have figured that since your wife came in for the tune-up, they might get her to buy the more expensive plugs. Or could just be a wire thats no snapped on all the way, I had problems with a couple of my wires not fully seating on the plug and took a few tries to hear that firm snap onto the plug. hope this helps you out some.

--Brian

[00Beast]

For the heater, check the coolant level first. If it's a little low, the heater core will be the first place affected.

I agree, pull all 6 plugs and inspect them. You want to see an even tan color on the inside ceramic insulation, if it's black it's running rich/misfiring, if it's bone white you're running lean on that cylinder. I also agree with getting platinums out if that's what's in there. The part number will tell you what they are, just google it. Platinum plugs are especially bad in a supercharged engine, as they basically turn into a glow plug under the high cylinder pressures/temps forced induction creates, and it can actually torch a hole right in a piston.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to throw a new fuel filter in as well.

[DrOlds88]

I had a similar issue with my 1988 Oldsmobile 98 and my 1988 Toronado, both with the 3.8 V6. They both had leaking freeze plugs. I had them changed (about $300) and the heat worked great. The 98 had disappearing coolant while the Toro showed no signs other than heat that wouldn't work 1/2 of the time...it also showed on the temp gauge because the engine would never fully warm up on a cold day unless driven for a half hour +.

[Griff951]

Thanks for the advice guys!
Joel

[myfirstbonnie]

Do you have a service engine light on? If so, see what codes are there.

[Griff951]

Sorry for the lag in reponse but there are no service engine lines on. Drove car last week and here's the latest with heater.
1. Let the car run for about an hour. Temp normal. Has heater and fans on and it seemed to working fine. Checked all hoses and all were warm including the ones going to the heater core.
2. Drove car a day later and it was blowing cold again. Low coolant light went on but when I checked after getting home anti-freeze level was fine.
Thoughts are even though I recently had thermostat replaced perhaps it's bad. Flaps that open to let heat in car sticking? Any more suggestions as tp what may be causing this would be great.

[RJolly87]

If the temp is normal, and staying where it should be, the more likely culprit is the airmix actuator. Basically the door that determines what the temp is. This usually sets an error, which would be indicated by a flashing Ext Temp at start up on the climate control display. The other possibility is a plugged heater core. You can troubleshoot this (probably should do this before you check the airmix door) by cranking the heat at operating temp, and checking the temp on both heater hoses. Both should be about the same temp. If one is significantly cooler than the other, that is likely the problem.

[Griff951]

I'll check this.
Thanks so much!