Truck isn't reaching operating temp (1 Viewer)

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Owosso, MI
Okay so I'm generally new to vehicle repairs, just replaced the thermostat in my 97 Dodge Dakota, vehicle never reaches the 210 operating temp, usually sticks around 150-160 area, heat is pretty weak as well what else could be wrong? Heater core maybe?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, just don't want to drop tons of money at a shop if it's possibly something simple.
Thanks in advance.
 
How are you getting your temp reading? What temp is the new thermostat
 
How are you getting your temp reading? What temp is the new thermostat

Engine temp Gage inside the truck is showing 160 degrees, heat is very weak, the thermostat I got was a 196.
I'm going to get the fan clutch checked, but other than that, I'm lost on it. Previous owner did not care for this truck at all, I'm kind of learning as I have to replace things lol
 
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Buddy had an issue as well... just went with blocking the radiator for winters

I know that our cruisers had a cold weather screen option for certain areas... but... do not know if dodge had the same ... usually called a radiator muff... my friend uses a piece of cardboard to block off the air into the engine compartment... less air cooling the compartment = more heat

For my cruiser (upper north east) i block off air from escaping my engine area... and block off partially the radiator to keep the heat

IMHO try the cardboard and see if that helps... you may need to adjust the size ... if at highway travel its going past 1/2 way on the gauge reduce the cardboard size

post up your results
 
I would 1st confirm the accuracy of the stk gauge. I know on my old GMC truck the stk gauges are not even close to being accurate. If your temp reading and t stats temp range were the same b4 and after the tstat replacement then the t stat is probably working correctly even if the gauge reads wrong. You might check and make sure the heater control valve is working correctly and the heater hoses are run correctly. How's heater hoses plumb'd . The tstat most like is opening at 195, is the water flowing directly from the engine to the heater core? I have no idea how it should be plumb'd, but I would guess the core should be getting hot water from the engine b4 being returned to the cooling system.

I've done the cardboard in frt of the rad b4 as Johnny described too, if all else has been checked out.
 
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Okay so I'm generally new to vehicle repairs, just replaced the thermostat in my 97 Dodge Dakota, vehicle never reaches the 210 operating temp, usually sticks around 150-160 area, heat is pretty weak as well what else could be wrong? Heater core maybe?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, just don't want to drop tons of money at a shop if it's possibly something simple.
Thanks in advance.

What was it doing before changing the thermostat? Asking why it needed replaced and what is different now than before?
 
Thermostat was changed yesterday, hope do I check to see if my Fan clutch is stuck on?
I would take the thermostat out and put it in the pot on your stove get a thermometer and start monitoring and to see if it actually opens up at the appropriate temperature and it should be wide open like you said that's what 210 degrees Fahrenheit? Make sure it's not an upside-down. When the engine is maximum temperature you said it's not it's at 160 that to me indicates you have a thermostat problem so it's opening up far too early.
 
Okay so I'm generally new to vehicle repairs, just replaced the thermostat in my 97 Dodge Dakota, vehicle never reaches the 210 operating temp, usually sticks around 150-160 area, heat is pretty weak as well what else could be wrong? Heater core maybe?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, just don't want to drop tons of money at a shop if it's possibly something simple.
Thanks in advance.
Check the radiator level is full. once you have the vehicle at operating temperature put your hand and feel the front of the radiator if you can and feel for cold spots. if there is none then the water is flowing through the radiator that is the water's pretty toasty when you place your hand on the surface a radiator indicating that the water is flowing through it thermostat could be full open.
 

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