Cold Air Infiltration

[zlrh11]

I'm asking this for a friend and I was just recently made aware of this wintertime issue that has been there since new.

 

He bought new the following 2 GM Chevy vehicles in 2001, a 3500 Dually Crewcab LT, and a 1/2 ton Suburban LT. Both are 2WD, and the 3500 has the Duramax engine.

 

Each vehicle has the typical dash single Heat/AC controls and each has worked fine. However, both seem to have a problem on the passenger side. When in the heat mode, plenty of warm to hot air is coming from the floor duct just to the right of the console hump, but there is also a significant flow of COLD air flowing into the floor area. This cold air seems to be coming from the right side above the kick panel, It is not coming from the airbox as best I can tell, but seems to be coming in from somewhere behind the airbox. As you can guess, this freezes the passenger feet. If you turn the heat way up, it does OK, but makes it very HOT on the drivers' side. I would have to check and see if this condition exist when the air is being directed to the dash vents or the windshield.

 

Hoping someone may have seen this and have a fix. Maybe there is a malfunctioning air door back there, perhaps a failed gasket or seal around the airbox, etc.

 

Forgot to mention that this condition is noticed when moving down the road, not when sitting still, which sounds like a gasket or seal missing or leaking up there.

[jro909]

hvac doors or actuators are probably gummed up, its a common issue i think and a semi easy fix? hopefully somebody else can chime in

[zlrh11]

hvac doors or actuators are probably gummed up, its a common issue i think and a semi easy fix? hopefully somebody else can chime in

 

I just don't think its a door/accuator issue since the cold air is not coming from a duct. I had him verify that this issue has been there since new. Also, I did a check and changing the heat/ac/vent/defrost controls doesn't change anything as far as the air infiltration. And the fact that this only occurs when the vehicle is moving.

 

My solution would be "trade them in".

[PhilB]

Check out this thread:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71162

 

It may be what the problem is.

[zlrh11]

Great post and I have passed the info on to him. Thanks for the help and guidance.

 

Good news, Spring is just around the corner.