2001 Dodge Ram 1500 V6

So here's what I've already done:

• Replaced thermostat
• Replaced thermostat again: 195'
• Flushed the heater core by removing heater hoses and using a garden hose.
• Flushed the heater core by removing heater hoses and using a garden hose again.
• Flushed the radiator
• Replaced Water pump
• Placed cardboard in front of radiator

So after the first time I flushed the heater core the heat went from not working at all to barely working on the lowest flow.

The engine runs a little cold because the needle is about 3/4's of the way between 130 & 210(Middle)

Also, I have a vacuum issue because when I lay on the gas (ex. when going uphill) the air will automatically transition from the main vents to the defroster vents.

I'm about to freeze to death please help.

 

Sounds like the heater core is stopped up, may have to end up replacing it. As for the truck running cool that's weird cause the in laws had an 01 that ran about the same temp but the heat got warm? Make sure the system is burped well cause an air pocket will cause the heat to not work well. The vent issue is very common, mine does it too. Search for wild vents and the fix for that will pop up.

 

My temperature gauge on my '98 rides in about that same range and I've measured the coolant temperature and found it to be as expected -- mid-190's at the thermostat, mid-160's at the outlet side of the radiator.

I'd replace the heater core, myself. I had the same problem, and the new heater core was the fix for it. The old one was crudded up, would flow apparently fine on the high pressure of the municipal water supply, but not worth a damn in the truck's cooling circuit. Makes sense: in the truck there's somewhere else for the pump to push coolant, but on the garden hose there's not.

 

Thanks guys!