the heater matrix has a direct feed from the water jacket around the cylinders and should warm up fairly quickly, you mentioned you flushed the radiator twice, how about the heater matrix? it's possible that it could be blocked. look for two hose pipes going through the bulk head in the general vercinity of the heater check that their getting hot if only one pipe is hot then the matrix is bocked. take both pipes off once the engine has cooled, noting which one was hot as this is the feed into the heater put a garden hose on the cold side of the heater run it untill the water comes out clear, if no water comes out then the heater is blocked and would need to be replaced, hopefully it's not blocked. reattach all pipes and refill the system with at least a 50-50 mix of atifreez which acts as a rust inhibitor and should prevent it from happening again. good luck
derek, February 2009
