Heater Core temperature output

[xirdneh]

I shoved a thermometer into the center vent on 5 Tercels to test the heat.
The uppermost heat control lever was set to "Vent".
The Fresh vs Recirc lever was set at "Recirc".
The water control valve under the hood was checked to be sure it was all the way open.
The out side temperature during the test was in the mid 40's.
All cars were driven around for for a while to be sure the engine was warmed up.
White car 120 deg (very recent heater core replacement) (brand ReaddyR ) (dissapointed I am)
Yellow car 120 deg (original core, back flushed two years ago)
Blue car 155 deg (original core)
Grey car 90 deg (original core)
Brown car 140 deg (original core)

I wonder what the ultimate temperature is.

[ARCHINSTL]

Referring to a post I made in a similar thread just a bit ago...
"I brought along an ancient real mercury thermometer. The o/s temp was 28 degrees. There are no discernible dramatic air leaks into the car.
After 7 miles, with the thermometer resting on the front passenger seat, it was still less than 60 degrees, and the blower was on Hi and only recirculating the inside air to the floor vents...
So then I put it up to the middle dash vent and - much to my surprise - it went to 120 degrees (max marking on the thermometer, so maybe actually higher?)!
I repeated the test - still 120 (at least) - but the seat was still less than 60...

And No, I have not yet done the vinegar shot with Coke chaser.
Tom M.

[xirdneh]

I drive the 120 deg car daily to work. With temperatures in the high thirtys to fiftys its comfortable. When the temperature drops to the low thirtys, the time it takes to get comfortable is noticably longer. Below twenty seven its uncomfortable most of the way ( 18 mile drive).

[Neu]

I haven't measured my heater, but my car has begun to run a little warm. Since this started to happen i've noticed it's been a LOT hotter. hot to the point where holding my hands in front of the vent for a minute will make it almost hurt.

[Petros]

what was the fan setting? I think when it is really cold you can get warmer air when the fan is not on "high" but somewhere in the middle, blowing air too fast through the core does not allow it heat up as much is my thought.

Of course with a properly working core and system this may not be true.

Also, do you have any way to accurately check the engine coolant temp? Even same brand of thermostat will vary some from one to the other. But the condition of the engine may also affect the temp and amount of water going to the heater.

Are there leaks or blockages (leaves and other garbage) in any of the ducts perhaps?

[xirdneh]

The Blue car (155 deg) is the only one with a numbered engine gage and its temp is abt 180 deg.
I changed the thermostat on the Yellow car (120 deg) this weekend because it was running a bit hot (over halfway mark and fluctuating). Its running just below the halfway mark now and holding steady, heater test came up the same (120 deg).

[xirdneh]

what was the fan setting? I think when it is really cold you can get warmer air when the fan is not on "high" but somewhere in the middle, blowing air too fast through the core does not allow it heat up as much is my thought.
Are there leaks or blockages (leaves and other garbage) in any of the ducts perhaps?

Fan setting was high for all except the Blue car (its high does not work so it was on second highest setting)
But i did experiment with slower speeds and did not notice any difference.

Yellow (120 deg), White (120 deg) and Gray (90 deg) had been checked for debris. Funny how they have the lowest temps.