Diesel-Dan

OK...my old boss is having a weird one. He has a 1997 2500 with a 12V. This winter in North Texas has not been a real cold one....heck we almost hit 85* last week! WELP....his truck will not warm up at all. The Rad is blocked off 100%, Coolant is new and topped off, Water pump was just changed tonight and thermostat is brand spanking new. The best we can get out of the truck is 140-150*. Also, the heater is not working as well. Runs great but just doesnt get hot. I have looked everything over and im stumped. Cant say that i have ever had one that wouldnt warm up enough........any suggestions?

Dan

Forrest Nearing

first thing's first...

put an aftermarket gauge on it....

greasemonki

I agree...make sure the gauge is working. If its not the gauge, I assume you are running the truck, not just letting it idle....diesels take FOREVER to warm up when idling, even in warm climates.

Diesel-Dan

This is pulling hills and such...and light loads. He can get it up to 180 some times pushing it.....but what makes this weird....is that the heater doesnt blow hot air....heater core is cool and the lines to the core are touchable......i could be wrong...but i dont think its the gauge.....

DZLPWR

Ive got the same symptoms, would like some clues on this too

fordsux8269

Mine just started this same stuff to about 3days ago bought a new tsat today and gonna see if that fixes it because in 70deg weather it shouldnt take this long to warm up and it just started doin it.

northslope

Is it burped of ALL air? No Leaks? No airlock? Pressure test your rad cap, betcha it's dead thus not allowing it to heat up. Remember the age old trick when your cooling sys springs a leak out in the toolies to loosen up the cap? won't hold pressure thus won't over heat thus won't build up heat. The rad cap is one of the most over looked components in the cooling sys. Worth a quick pressure test.

jughead

i too would like an answer. have 97 engine that on the hottest day will only get to 144 degrees checked with infra red temp gun. 2 new cummins thermostats no change. radiator blocked nothing has worked even talked to cummins tech hot line. they agreed with me it cant do this. been in the business over 40 years i am stumped. my heater does work just not too good.

Jambbii

Mine did that and it ended up having a broken t stat. There
was at about 155k on the odometer.

turbo thom

When the thermostat was changed, did you install the 190* one? You can get them with different values.

marv h.

My dad, who is a pretty smart mechanic, along with a lot of other tallents, says, when you get a new T.stat you should check it by putting it in a pan of water with a thermometer and heat it up while you watch to make sure that the t.stat opens when, and only when it should. It is actualy a good idea, I have seen brand new t.stats open at lower temps than they shoud. Then some will partialy open at low temp. either way is no good. Some wont open till way hotter. This is from an article in a corvette magazine. I don't know, may be something to watch. How else are you going to know for sure?

jughead

put each thermo in pan of water to see if they operated properly. each started to open at 180 to 185. i too have been in the business over 40 years. i know i am missing something simple. i have eliminated everything but what it is. this has come up before in another thread and there were a lot of good suggestions. i tried them all. i have been fighting this for over 2 years. it has become a challenge now. i have always had a problem with my engines running hot never too cold.

Geico266

Gottabe the T-stat opening too soon. Replace it with a 190 degree and see if it helps.

jughead

i submit that 7 degrees diff. will not help enough to be worth 32 bucks

Duallydog

Wow an engine staying too cool when towing, I bet the people who tow with gassers won't believe those three words could be used in the same sentence.