Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Heater / Thermostat Help

[Cowboy Medic]

Hello,



I have been having a wierd problem and I am unsure what to check next. The engine temps are going up to 230 or 240 and I am then losing heat inside. The engine temps drop back down to 180 (180 thermostat) and heat is back in the cab. I know this normally indicates a bad thermostat. I have put three different ones in, all with the same result. I put the same thermostats in my brothers truck and everything works as it should. If I had normal engine temsp but no heat I would suspect the heater core, could that still be my problem? If not can anyone suggest any other ideas?



Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[jhoughton]

Sounds to me like there is still some air in the system. As I refilled mine I constantly squeezed the upper hose then ran the truck with cardboard to cause the thermostat to open then topped off again. Has you overflow bottel level changed since you filled it? Possible the radiator cap is not propperly holding also. Just a couple things to check.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Come to think of it, when I took the hose off to swap the thermostat there wasn't any coolant in the upper hose. I will do some checking on that. Thanks!!!!!

 

[WKruger]

If you get the system bled and it still does it, you got a leaking head gasket.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

How hard is it to swap the head gasket?

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Never mind, I am an idiot. I went out and checked the coolant and it was way low. Probably because the overfill bottle was not connected to the radiator. Not sure how it came off, but I connected it back up and refilled everything and all is well.



Thanks for the quick responses. It is much appreciated.

 

[Houser]

Might be your radiator freezing up. Is it cold where you are. Better check you antifreeze Temp range.

Houser