Hello to all who see. This is my first post. I currently drive a 2000 dodge ram 1500 Sport, 5.9L. My temp gauge doesn't read above 150-160. The heat blows. Doesn't really matter if I dog on it or not.
Would changing to a higher thermostat then stock help?
Heater core does have a smell but that's only at the start of the truck ( never caused a issue before.
Could the coolant just need to be replaced?

Anyone else experience anything similar? Any input or suggestions would be a great help before I drop it off at the shop.

 

Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open. By the way, you have a second gen truck, not a first gen. Good luck with it. I'd start at the thermostat for sure.

 

yea it sounds like your thermostat... i had the opposite problem.. mine wouldnt open all the way and my truck would over heat after i drove it for a bit.. it was a quick and easy fix. like wontacceptthis said, i would start there. and you said your heater core smells? umm does it have a small leak. in my 75 it had a huge leak and i had to replace the core, but maybe it has a small leak and burns off when u get the truck heated up a bit. im not sure, but maybe you could check it out.

 

Ill replace the thermo. I dont know why this post showed up here I clicked the right gen I thought. Ninja- it doesnt leak anything on the floor or anything along those lines. I just smell a syrup smell after a few moments then it goes away. I thought about back flowing it, just dont wanna make it worse.

 

i would try running some sealant through it and leave that in there for a while, then i would flush the system (forwards and back). maybe that would get rid of it.

 

I added a bottle of the alumaseal. A guy at my machine shop awards by it. Seems to have done good so far. Ill try that in a few days.