Rookie Day. Just joined DF. Moved from NJ to TN and lost my best friend mechanic. TN approach to car repair quite different than back in NJ, so you guys are my new best friends! I've retired, so I hope to have the time to do much of what's needed by myself, short of engine rebuilds, etc. . Right now, I'm having a cabin heat issue...there's not enough of it. I've got some warm air, but the temp gauge never goes much past 140°. All flapper/deflectors seem to work, the fan is okay at all settings, the hose from the thermostat is hot, but the one at the bottom of the radiator is cold. There's fluid in the expansion reservoir and my toes are cold. Any thoughts?

 

Can't help ya without know what vehicle you are referring to. Many things we are, mind readers we are not. Welcome to DF.

 

Fair point. 1998 Ram 1500 3.2 Quad Cab.

 

Moved to then 2nd gen Ram section. I assume you mean 5.2. Never heard of a 3.2L Ram.

 

You're right again. I'm gonna a claim "typo" and hope you'll not notice.....

 

Try putting a new 195 degree thermostat and gasket in it and see if that doesn't take care of it. Make sure you get a good quality unit, such as Stant Superstat. When refilling the cooling system after the thermostat change, make sure that you get all of the air out of the cooling system by jacking up the front end while refilling.

 

I'll give it a go...thanks. By the way, I heard that all anti-freeze isn't created equal. What's best for my '98 Ram, 5.2? The stuff in there now is pinkish..

 

Originally it came with the green stuff. If it isn't below freezing where you are, I would be real tempted to pull some hoses, and the thermostat housing, and seriously flush the entire system, and replace it with the green stuff.

 

All right, as soon as it warms up. We're just east of Memphis, so warmer weather is just around the corner. Thanks again.