Heater Problems - 2001 Limited

[4Walker]

Hi, all- It's been awhile!

I have a 2001 Limited with about 80K miles that I just took in because my heater wasn't working. I could adjust the amount of air coming out of my vents, but the actual temparature would not adjust (even if the displayed number changed) if above around 65 degrees.

The dealership first told me it was the thermostat, which they replaced for about $140. This didn't fix the problem so I took it back, and now they're saying there's a radiator clog (which I wasn't sure how they didn't find when they did the coolant flush), and they need to replace the whole radiator for approx. $450.

- the actual temperature would change "accurately' if I dialed it in at anything below 65 degrees, but would stay at 65 degrees if adjusted above
- the rear heater (with vents that blow from under the front seats into the back of the truck works just fine and heats up with no problem

Are these problems consistent with replacing the entire radiator? I know very little about radiators, and wanted to make sure I'm not getting "flushed" on this (I know, bad pun...); I'm already getting a host of other fixes to the car, and wan't to be sure I'm not getting unneccessary work done.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wm69]

If your radiator was clogged your 4runner would likely be overheating. Your heater core might be clogged, or a heater hose. I would think if your rear heat is working ok that your heater core is getting circulation and your heater hoses are ok, at least for the rear heat. I'm not sure if there are two heater cores for front/ rear heat, but the radiator would NOT be somewhere I would be looking until I had ruled out the heater core, heater hoses, and the dash unit.