Engine won't come up to temp
 

My 99 Dodge Ram is not heating up. It will get as hot as about 150, but never any higher. I just replaced the thermostat with a 195 degree Stant, and radiator cap to no avail. The water pump is fairly new, installed last summer. I let it run for quite a while, and the upper radiator hose gets warm, almost hot as it should, but the lower is still cold. When the upper gets hot, the temp gauge is still reading about 150. I don't see any circulation in the radiator either.

its not -0 where you're at is it ?

sounds like a bad t-stat. you could try a stove top water test to prove that it opens at 195. or just return it under warranty.


if the coolant entering the top is only 150, its pretty normal for it to exit the bottom cold again. especially in winter.

does you heater get warm? guage could just be reading wrong

Does your check gauge light come on?

Did you install the stat pointing in the correct direction?

Is your anti-freeze weak?

It is cold, in the low teens to high 20s. I did check the 195 stat I pulled out using the stove method, and it was opening at the correct temperature. It was installed in the correct direction as well. The antifreeze is a 50/50 mix as it should be. The heater in the truck gets warm, but not hot. The check engine light does not come on, and I know it works as well. Both heater core hoses are pretty warm as well. Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

Was the replacement t-stat a 195?

Yes it was..

Check the antifreeze.Could be diluted from what was left in the engine.If it checks out to -40 F then start thinking about other things.Anything less than -40 F add pure anti-freeze.