I've been working with a 2000 1.8-L turbocharged New Beetle that is not not heating the cabin at maximum heat settings until the engine RPMs are taken to about 3000. Once the RPMs fall back down to idle, heater performance again deteriorates to nothing but luke-cold air blasting out of the vents.
I have already tried a few things: First, I replaced the foam that had completely fallen off of the heater/AC blend door with some materials that will hopefully outlast the car. While I had the heating/AC system almost fully dismantled, I back-flushed the heater core and checked it for free flow. I then replaced the old coolant (which actually looked fine). Lastly, I replaced the thermostat and checked the water pump for proper performance.
The blend door repair brought the functionality from nil to what it is now, which is OK at highway RPMs, but dismal at idle. At this point, I am open to (read, "begging for") suggestions as to what the problem might be. Does this car have a heater core control valve that might be stuck partially shut, thus restricting flow? I am new to this lovely little car, so please forgive me if this is a common issue on this kind of vehicle and possibly something I'll just have to suffer.
Thank you in advance for your insight!
I have already tried a few things: First, I replaced the foam that had completely fallen off of the heater/AC blend door with some materials that will hopefully outlast the car. While I had the heating/AC system almost fully dismantled, I back-flushed the heater core and checked it for free flow. I then replaced the old coolant (which actually looked fine). Lastly, I replaced the thermostat and checked the water pump for proper performance.
The blend door repair brought the functionality from nil to what it is now, which is OK at highway RPMs, but dismal at idle. At this point, I am open to (read, "begging for") suggestions as to what the problem might be. Does this car have a heater core control valve that might be stuck partially shut, thus restricting flow? I am new to this lovely little car, so please forgive me if this is a common issue on this kind of vehicle and possibly something I'll just have to suffer.
Thank you in advance for your insight!
