2017 tundra heater weak

Hi all, I have a 2017 tundra crewmax when in defrost only get 80 to 90 degrees when its cold out. My son and I drove 30 miles to a basketball tournament one morning and the truck cab never got hot. The odd thing is I had it to the dealer and they said they compared to another tundras and that just the way they are. I was curious what your experiences are, especially from the tundra owner in colder climates as I am from southern california. Thanks.
Rodney

 

I took apart my dash to wire my new seat heaters and I saw that the ducting is not held together very well and there were even parts that weren’t connected at all. I went all around with aluminum tape and sealed it all up. Works like a dream now.

 

2018 crewmax here (also in SoCal) and mine gets unbearably hot...

you should come out and meet us at the next fun run and we'll compare...
https://www.tundras.com/threads/socal-shennanigans-thomas-mountain-road-trail-run.46799/
you too @Tundyfundy
easy fire road but it'll be a fun time getting together...

here's our last one...

 

Would love to actually. I believe I’m going to the big bear one on September.

 

nice! did you get a site?

 

Unfortunately no but trying to finnagle my way into one. If not I ll meet up during he day for the trail runs.

 

Sorry OP (@bomber) we moved to a different thread so we stop taking over yours. like i said come out to the next run and we'll check out your heater...

 

Ill bring my trim tools and we can crack'er open if you want.

 

Thanks guys I suspect there is something wrong with my heater. Can't imagine how well it would work if the ambient was freezing or less.

 

actually now that i'm thinking about it... i've been in 30 degree weather and it was still too hot after a while. yours should be hot once the engine is warm.

i know @sdde4n had an issue with his AC. maybe he can jump in and say whether he had issues with his heater as well...

 

Could be a faulty thermostat or heater core. Go out to your truck when its cold. Take off the radiator cap and start the truck. Once the engine gets to temp watch the coolant. If it doesn't start to swirl as if the engine is cycling it, then something is wrong with the thermostat (stuck closed),if it cycles as soon as you start the car most likely its stuck open. Check your temp gauges and also check radiator hoses. Both should be warm as if coolant is cycling, if its not cycling then you only get heat in one and the other is cold. if both are cold its stuck open.
here is a nice article to get you started. And obviously check your coolant levels and reservoir levels. If the fluid has leaked out somehow or burned off then that could be a cause as well. If your engine is running cold most likely its stuck open.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-troubleshoot-a-faulty-car-thermostat-by-rocco-lovetere


PS My car heater gets so hot itll shut down my phone in a few muntes if its on the vent mount.

 

No heater issues, but an O-ring failed on a 2018 truck and my AC gave up the ghost in Yuma on the way home from T2S. No bueno.

 

The heater should crank out plenty of heat. We had several stretches well below freezing this last winter plus trips up the mountain, and I could not keep the heat on full- that would get the cab too hot. Sounds like there is something wrong with your truck’s heat.

 

Thank you guys, you are reinforcing what I believe is true. I'm going to take it to a different dealer.

 

First, make sure you truly have a problem. On cold days, idling for a minute or two before starting off can really make a difference. Anyway, when you take it to the dealer, don't talk about another dealer or another vehicle. Don't give them room to argue. Simply tell them the heater isn't hot enough, fix it. If they still try to talk about another Tundra (the brush off), tell them it's irrelevant - YOUR heater isn't hot enough. In other words, force them to get to YOUR issue. There are several ways of fixing this (going to assume the dealer already checked the obvious - thermostat, etc). For example, changing the coolant type/level can influence temperature. Thermostats also come in a variety of temperature ranges. Heck, tell them to use the thermostat installed in Canada, not Southern California. Be polite, but determined. You paid good money for this vehicle.

 

Thanks handyman. Spot on with your advice. I made a video of my truck with 30 minutes run time and 80 degree defrost temps.

 

yeah sounds like you have a issue. I've had 2 Tundras now (2013 and 2018) and both of them the heaters will burn you out!!!