1999 ,5.2, 4x4 ,120,000 miles

After doing just about everything to this truck, I still cannot get this truck to warm up with daily city driving. The coolant temp gauge just makes it into the normal range after I drive it. On cold mornings it can idle for 10 minutes and barely get off the peg. I plugged in my reader and after driving the truck the coolant was 165, with one unrelated code of P1493 (if i remember, a battery sensor). I have replaced the radiator and thermostat...no difference.

any help appreciated.

so far fixed or replaced: (when will it end)
Trannmission
ball joints
tie rods
battery
brakes, calipers, master cyl. rotors
shocks
u joints
right hand axle seal
heater core

 

Are you sure the gauge is reading correctly? My coolant temp sensor went bad and was reading low. Did you verify proper operation of the thermostat before you put it in? Is the heat hot?

 

I did not verify the operation of the thermostat, should have though. I did keep my computer plugged into truck while running and the coolant temp was 165 at idle and the needle just barely into the normal range. the marks on my gauge is from 130 to 210 in the middle.
so i do think my gauge is correct, but maybe another thermostat.

what is your truck running? where is the needle?

 

I think when I had a 195* stat it was right in the middle of normal range. I have a 180* in it now so it's a little lower but still well in the normal range. There's a pic on here somewhere but I can't find it on my phone.

 

Just bought a 192 (odd degree?) thermostat, I will put in when I have the time, hopefully early next week.

thanks

 

Throw it in a pot of water and put it on the stove with a thermometer. Watch it and make sure it opens.

 

Could also be the clutch fan. When engine is cold and off, try spinning the fan blade by hand. It should spin with little resistance compared to when the motor has been up to temp and running for a while.