Why do I not have heat in the front?

[DanielRo]

We got our first cold weather a couple of days ago and I needed heat and to defrost my winshield. There was about an inch of icy snow on the car. The interior never would heat up and defrost the windows. With the app I had started the car as well and it had run for the ten minutes. Also all during my commute of driving for the next 45 mins it never blew even warm air although it was blowing warm air only from the rear vents. I tried several things that I came across in forums although no hot or warm air yet.

Thank You for any assistance on this,
Daniel

 

[Kodiack]

Is your coolant level normal? Is your temp gauges showing it is at normal operating temps?
If yes to both of those I suspect a problem with your temp controls..you can try a ecu reset.

 

[DanielRo]

So, it does appear that it could be my coolant level. My car has just under 8,500 miles on it. Do you believe that the dealer would fill this up under warranty or should I do it on my own?

 

[Kodiack]

I would take it in and get a leak down test performed on the cooling system, it should not have dropped in 8500 miles. You can check the level in the radiator but removing the rad cap, but make sure the car is cold..the reservoir only holds access fluid.
As well the thermostat is electronic and the system needs to be bled using a diagnostic tool to actuate it open.
It should be covered under warranty.
Have you noticed any puddles under the car?

 

[DanielRo]

I would take it in and get a leak down test performed on the cooling system, it should not have dropped in 8500 miles. You can check the level in the radiator but removing the rad cap, but make sure the car is cold..the reservoir only holds access fluid.
As well the thermostat is electronic and the system needs to be bled using a diagnostic tool to actuate it open.
It should be covered under warranty.
Have you noticed any puddles under the car?

I have never noticed any puddles.

 

[Kodiack]

Does the car warm up to show normal operating temp on your temp guage?

 

[DanielRo]

Does the car warm up to show normal operating temp on your temp guage?

Yes

 

[D.J.]

I tried several things that I came across in forums although no hot or warm air yet.

what have you tried?

 

[D.J.]

As well the thermostat is electronic and the system needs to be bled using a diagnostic tool to actuate it open.

It would be better described as "electronic assisted"
It's just a standard thermostat that can be influenced electronically to open. It literally has an electric heater than can force the thermostat open as needed.

 

[JSolo]

The problem with most kia's is that their cooling systems seem to lose volume over time due to venting (mentioned in other posts on here). This also accounts for the coolant smell when parking the car in the garage. Never had any other car do this, but read almost any kia/hyundai forum and you'll see this.

Normally, fluid is topped off during an oil change if your shop is full service. On several occasions now I've had to add a few oz to the res tank to keep it at the full or above mark. If you never check yours and the shop (or you, if DIY) never tops it off, eventually the level gets low enough and you actually start losing volume from the radiator.

However, I imagine it would take considerable loss to not have heat. Given you say the temp gauge shows normal level, I'd say it's (the coolant) not making it to the heater core (not likely as you say you get heat from the rear), or something in the dash that regulates the heat flow is malfunctioning.

 

[DanielRo]

This turned out to be a collapsed coolant line. It took two months for KIA to find the issue.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Okay, what the heck is a collapsed coolant line? This needs more information. Picture would be helpful too. Thanks.