No Heat Idling

If anyone is willing to give me an idea about this, since it is not a
"Honda"... I have an Acura RSX-S with a heater problem.

I can let the engine warm-up to operating temperature (the temperature gauge
registers 1/3 deflecting as it always did)and I get no heat at the highest
temperature setting, manual or auto. When I drive off, I get lots of heat.

Is my water pump impeller damaged? My dealer says it could be a valve. The
coolant level is at the top.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Dave M.

 

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Dave,

We'd give it a poke if you told us the mileage, year, and service
history. Is the reservoir full to the line (in addition to the
radiator)? Have you ever used TAP WATER in the coolant? Was the water
pump changed with the last timing belt?

That kind of stuff...

Reply to group.

 

The 2002 RSX-S has 25000 miles on it. The radiator is full. However, I have
to check the reservoir. Only OEM coolant has been used. None has been added.
The engine has not had any repairs as of yet.

 

I agree that it is a valve problem. You should also open the hood while
the engine is running to see if you see any coolant coming from the water
pump or any hoses--especially the heater hoses.

Jason

 

My 95 civic had the same problem...turns out it was a bad head gasket.
Good luck!
P.S.check your coolant if it goes down without any leaks it might be your
head gasket.

 

Just curious, does anyone agree that this issue might be cleared up by
installing a new thermostat?

 

Sounds like a good idea to me(if he/she did not change it)...but buy the
Honda one not aftermarket.

 

Dave,

What is the resolution on this?

 

do you mean you get heat/no heat from your vents? it may be a problem in the
vent system, one of the air mixture doors may not be working.

 

the RSX used an electronic mode control to determine hot/cold air mix, the
proble is either with the hot/cold selector switch or the air mix motor
itself, the motor is relatively inexpensive compered to the selector, which
I believe comes as the entire heater control panel for about 800-900
dollars.