Thread: Let there be heat!!

Well always the first thing to check, is the engine coming up to normal operating temps? (if not, the thermostat may be stuck open like mine is) If so are both heater hoses hot? (if not, clogged heater core)

Sounds like a t-stat depending on the engine temp, you say the gauge is broken? have any scan tools to check the temp? People on the forums have bought brand new t-stats defective out of the box.

Also check that the wiring to the temp sender is connected. It would set a code if it wasn't..but then the car sounds like it has a few issues.

195-200 is operating temp. The halfway mark is 212 which is the point where it's getting too warm, so really it shouldn't get to that point in the winter.


So how does it look? Is yours getting to 200 and staying there? That's normal.

Either the gauge isn't reading right, or the t-stat is stuck open, or opening too soon. Even on the coldest days it only takes my 3800 10-15 minutes to get to 200°

Air pumps are for heating up the cat faster and nothing else, won't help with coolant temp.

It has to be warming up. Next time feel the upper rad hose by the rad. It should be cold until it reaches the proper temp. Also what's your cold startup high idle? Mine's 1,400 so it heats up quick.

grab both heater hoses off the fire wall when the car is all warmed up, both hoses should be hot to the touch. if one or both are cold you need to flush the heater core.

you take the 2 hoses off the alt bracket, then flush each hose with a garden hose till clear water comes out. then put the hoses back on with the hoses as full as possible.

My car never gets to 200 even after I replaced the T stat. I have checked my hoses and they were hot after a long drive.

I wonder if I got a defective new T stat.

Originally Posted by Nates94

My car never gets to 200 even after I replaced the T stat. I have checked my hoses and they were hot after a long drive.

I wonder if I got a defective new T stat.

My old oem t-stat would open at 195, and temps would stay at 198 in the winter. I would hardly ever hit 200 but I was always just under. My new 192 t-stat seems to open at the same temp but it goes down and stays around 195 now. How far from 200 are you?

Originally Posted by jc71corvette2

Scotty do I still need to drain antifreeze

Some needs to come out to do the thermostat. I just take the rad cap off and put my hand over the rad, and use an air compressor and put air into the hole where the bleeder screw goes, and it forces coolant into the overflow tank. Just enough to not spill a drop when the housing comes off.

if your antifreeze is good and green the water should just mix in and be ok. but if its been a while or its not so bright green dump some coolant and add new antifreeze.

or if you never touched the antifreeze for sure dump some out and add new.