My car runs very well tyvm, and the heater also works but on a cold day the motor typically will not produce good warm heat for the cabin. On other vehicles we would put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator when deep into the winter which would make sufficient heat inside.

My question is to those in cold climates, how big of a piece of cardboard are you using? A real engine temp guage would be helpful in this situation to monitor and be wise and take this cardboard out if motor was getting too warm.

 

The later cars have the gauge (see ETM) or use OBD.

 

The engine makes more than enough heat even in the coldest of weather. I think you've got a problem with the aux coolant pump or the DCCV.

 

I agree.

Do you notice more or less heat depending how you drive? The AUX pump helps with getting heat at idle and slow engine speeds.

Do you have good heat at highway speeds?

Has the DCCV ever been changed?

You also might try some more bleeding of the cooling system. Your car has the small rubber hose with a valve up by the brake booster. Do you know if this has been bled?
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Nice of you to respond, I think that the DCCV is original and the heat gets warmer naturally when at slow speeds in town driving and less efficient when the cold air does its job cooling the motor at faster speeds like most cars do. I will be checking that bleeder valve as tbird mentions. A good flush may help but am weary doing with the airlock issues and the coolant looks nice and fresh and is good for 30 below.

Yesterday after I turned off the car I heard the electric fan working for the first time so I popped the hood and heard broiling sound, smelled antifreeze and felt a vibration coming from the fill reservoir. The gauge was reading normal, so I shut the hood and have had no issues since then, thinking the thermostat was stuck. it has the plastic original type housing and it may have been changed at some point[looks newish], there is a wee small leak there but not enough to bother about.

 

Just keep an eye on that small leak. Your car has a lot of plastic coolant pieces that are probably rotten by now. So if you do the repair be ready to replace most of the plastic stuff. Also it's very easy for that small leak to become a gusher I would not ignore it.
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