Engine won't get up to temp

[jrdunham0826]

Hi so I have a 1983 gmc suburban 2500 with a 350 small block and I live in Alaska so very cold outside. I have a heating problem my engine won't warm up to temp the highest temp I could get it to was 140 I used a ir temp gun to verify the temp. I replaced the tstat to a 195° it works I tested it before I put it in. I replaced the heater core, radiator, water pump, and flushed everything. And somehow the engine runs colder now that I replaced everything. I also blocked off the radiator with cardboard. And the fan clutch works. I am super lost and don't know what else to do I've tried everything that I know of. Any help will be appreciated thanks in advance.

 

[Radiohead]

Even new thermostats will fail even after testing. Does the IR indicate proper operation? Have you scanned the temp on the heater hoses? Maybe thermal wrap on them will reduce the loss to an acceptable level. Because beyond blocking airflow through the radiator, I have no other cold area tips, sorry.

 

[RanchWelder]

Double verify the routing on your pump, engine block and heater core is correct.


Here's a thread to put your mind at ease regarding low engine temps in general.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/problem-solved-why-is-my-motor-running-cool-help.807371/

 

[GTX63]

Ok, back to some basics. When you say you have a heating problem, you said the engine isn't getting hot; does that mean you are not getting heat into the cab?
Where is the temperature sensor located on the engine? It is usually along the driver's side of the head but can also be found on top of the thermostat housing. When it is installed there, the readings can be very inaccurate.
When the radiator cap is removed, what sort of flow is there with the radiator fluid?
I'll add that a thermostat can be shown to open and close on a bench and yet not work as it is supposed to.
Modern parts are proving to have poor quality.

 

[midwest]

Just curious, what the ambient temps are? Also is the vehicle new to you or have you always had it and this problem just started?

 

[Jawzjeep]

This probably won't help your problem but I've heard of a 'cold weather package". Wonder if any of those items would help.

My suburban spent a lot of its life in Canada/Alaska and it came to me with the smallest radiator I've ever seen in a square and a ridiculous looking 3 blade fan.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Pullit]

Mine had one line from the engine to the heater core and the return went to the radiator. I took it from the radiator and put it to the water pump. Problem solved. The return to radiator was just a big thermostat bypass.

 

[SquareRoot]

I worked at North Pole (Fairbanks) AK for 3 winters. I LOVE that place. I will gladly come fix it for ya!

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Remember the first thing I saw when I hitched in 1972 to Fairbanks..A guy and a gal duken it out in a canal close to a tavern, and the fire dept having a water war with there trucks. Think it might have been the sunshine.

 

[CountKrunk]

Does it matter? I did a quick google and it said cars post 1980 shouldn't have a too cold problem.

 

[sidschev]

Mine had one line from the engine to the heater core and the return went to the radiator. I took it from the radiator and put it to the water pump. Problem solved. The return to radiator was just a big thermostat bypass.

would the rad water connect be the same i mean thats in coming from the water pump ... water pumps through intake to heater core then from heater core to rad where water pump grabs it an d the cycle starts over , it does not need the thermostat what so ever.....