What is normal coolant temperature? My heat is lukewarm.

[2004CSOTP]

If you're going to fix your own stuff, you've got to be prepared to buy tools once in a while. The garden hose trick is nothing more than drain and refill. Parts store radiator flush chemicals are another useless gimmick. These tricks make you think you've done something but in reality have done nothing but put in pretty new coolant. Sometimes this is enough, but I've serviced neglected cooling systems on vehicles where this clearly was not enough.

you do not not have to rig anything and do not not have to buy jack for the flush its not that dang hard take off hose hold garden hose to one then switch several times make a mountain out of a mole hill for a simple dang flush that requires only water. start costing them money on BS that it a waist of time.

un

 

[msnott]

In regards to “curve balls” you must be willing to take a break for a few minutes to avoid breaking more stuff. I preferred the previous generation 92-99 as far as serviceability but even the last generation gives you plenty of room to work with.
If you get frustrated have a beer or a cup of coffee and try to relax a bit. Sometimes taking a break can help you approach something from a different angle and find a different solution to your problems.

What great advice! I have experienced this on a number of different fronts in life, not just car repairs. There have been many times that I have walked away and "reset," only to return and discover a different approach than my one-tracked mindset wouldn't allow me to previously see.

That actually happened with this repair when I realized I had enough of the broken bolt left to still secure the coupling. (Although, I am using the zip-tie suggestion from BuickGirlFromMars to ensure an extra layer of security.)

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Words to live by.....


Roadkill Garage are my go to service advisors.

 

[msnott]

Ill share a secret dont tell your mom I told you it
I used zip ties. Sounds ghetto. The real fix means you need to pull the bracket off. If you cannot absolutely do that right now, get creative with thick , long zip ties. you justn eed to hold the pipe in the area. the o rings seal it. If you CAN do the repair right right now, the temp is right and the snow is not here yet, so I advise doing it. Your tensioner could be replaced as a whole unit for a new one if you wanted to get that refeshed. not cheap but it would mean little work too. keep it in mind. I used a small bracket off my alternator lower bolt (Near my supercharger, would be open area on a NA I think) and then used that to loop zip through. Get creative if you have to. If you do this, then elbows and water pump are naturally a great great idea because access.

And no, your coupling will pop out within minutes

also dont forget to use the bleeder to bleed, and hopefully you set your thermostat in facing 12 o clock looking at the engine.

I believe there was enough bolt left to tightly secure the coupling. However, I am using your zip tie suggestion as an extra measure of security.

There is part of me that is skittish about doing the real repair of the broken bolt. I sense that if I take off the alternator, I am just asking for additional trouble to crop up ~ another curve ball. However, if I notice any leaks and/or the bolt/zip tie combo isn't holding up, I will sheepishly and begrudgingly move forward with the task.

Thanks for your help @BuickGirlFromMars .

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

I believe there was enough bolt left to tightly secure the coupling. However, I am using your zip tie suggestion as an extra measure of security.

There is part of me that is skittish about doing the real repair of the broken bolt. I sense that if I take off the alternator, I am just asking for additional trouble to crop up ~ another curve ball. However, if I notice any leaks and/or the bolt/zip tie combo isn't holding up, I will sheepishly and begrudgingly move forward with the task.

Thanks for your help @BuickGirlFromMars .

You have to remove the bracket itself, which means elbows come out. Unless your lesabre has the bolts 90 degrees to where mine is (Mine points toward the firewall, no way i can get anything on the back of it, yours may be pointing toward the hood or the fender on the side of it) But if you cant fit the tools in there to work on it, you have to pull the bracket.

 

[17CrewRam]

My temp has ran 183 degrees period. I've replaced thermostat, flushed cooling system, it just runs at 183. Takes longer to get interior temp warmer, but it has run that way since long before I bought it off my grand parents, and they bought it new, and had it meticulously maintained by the local GM dealer.

 

[msnott]

After replacing the thermostat and doing a flush of the heater core, my coolant temperature now runs anywhere from the 180s to around 200. It has certainly solved my intermittent/lukewarm heating issue.

Now that we have turned to winter here in Indiana, one thing I have noticed is that I must turn the digital display up to around 80 degrees to keep the cabin temperature comfortable ~ around 70 degrees. Anything lower, and it is somewhat cool in the cabin. If I turn it up above 83, it will get a little warm.

Not sure what the issue is whereby the digital display doesn't accurately reflect the internal temperature of the cabin. I guess it's just a quirk that I will have to live with.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

After replacing the thermostat and doing a flush of the heater core, my coolant temperature now runs anywhere from the 180s to around 200. It has certainly solved my intermittent/lukewarm heating issue.

Now that we have turned to winter here in Indiana, one thing I have noticed is that I must turn the digital display up to around 80 degrees to keep the cabin temperature comfortable ~ around 70 degrees. Anything lower, and it is somewhat cool in the cabin. If I turn it up above 83, it will get a little warm.

Not sure what the issue is whereby the digital display doesn't accurately reflect the internal temperature of the cabin. I guess it's just a quirk that I will have to live with.

the digital display is a desire and the car tries to meet that desire. if a little slightly over simplified. there may be fixes to that, but I Would say check foir any firewall openings and that stufff