Temp gauge never gets to normal, no heat, hoses hot...

[DesertBen44]

Wondering if any of you have any thoughts on this,

After driving the truck 20 mins in city traffic, upper radiator hose is HOT, lower radiator hose is warm, both heater core hoses are hot, but I get no heat in the cab, AND my factory water temp gauge never reads in the normal range, always right on the border of it though. (almost makes it to the low part of normal, never quite gets there)

Wondering if these 2 issues are related, already made sure the radiator was filled and put a new radiator cap on. The cap the parts store gave me was 13pounds, as well as the old worn out one, but this radiator is huge and aftermarket, wondering if maybe I need a 16 pound cap? Could that make any difference? shower me in hot coolant maybe?

If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it!

 

[sle2115]

First off, forget about the in dash gauge...pretty much if it moves, it's doing it's job. They aren't accurate and from what I've found, aren't consistent, especially from one truck to the other.

If you are getting hot water to the heater core, maybe it has some restriction. I'd take the hoses off and flow some water through it to see if it seems to flow through. Maybe that the water pump isn't circulating enough. Might be a partially clogged radiator as well.

The other thing, not sure what your temperature is (ambient) but in cold weather, some trucks just don't make much heat without blocking the radiator. They are designed to keep them cool in hot weather and never make temperature in cold.

First thing I would recommend it getting a real gauge on there to see what your water temps are.

 

[icanfixall]

Does the fan push air thru the vents. These heaters have a door in the system that has to open for the fan air to pass thru the heater core. To see this door you need to remove the glove box door. Then remove the small black ac cover. I think its got 4 screws in it. Once thats off you will see the heater core and just to the drivers side of it is the door I speak of. See if that works when the heater lever is operated. Also sometimes mice ans squirrels build nests in the heater fan area. In worst cases this can start a fire from the dried weeds and paper touching the heater resister in the ducts.

 

[DesertBen44]

Ok guys embarrassingly simple solution to my problem

Took advice and forgot about the temp gauge,

Focused on the lack of heat, saw the cable that must actuate that door near the heater core, and noticed as I turn the heat/cool knob it didnt move. Then i moved the knob more aggresively and it fell off, the inner plastics all missing.

Swapped over a diff knob and the heat works like a boss. Have to go to a junkyard later today anyhow for parts for the girlfriends honda (hate it) Im sure i will be able to find a knob there. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[The Warden]

I've found oftentimes that it's better when the solution is easy...I wouldn't feel bad about it.

Congrats on a quick fix

 

[sle2115]

Cool! Sounded like you were getting warm water up there, so that's the first step. I had a VW with a clogged heater core and it was a bear to determine, mainly because of location and the bleeding process of coolant!

Good deal!

 

[icanfixall]

I like the simple fix. Nothing to be ashamed about either.