Engine not getting up to normal operating temp

[chauncey0337]

Hey everyone, I had my 2000 Tahoe 5.3 4x4 go into the shop for front end damage repairs a while ago and they replace my radiator. Now with the cold temps, I'm realizing my engine is not getting up to normal temp like it used to. The temp gauge used to read almost middle of guage (210° or something like that) now it's only 170-180°. If I take long freeway trips it did get up there but 20 minutes or so on the freeway and it does not. And my cabin heater does not get very warm. Any suggestions? Let me know if you need more info. Help, it's cold.

 

[89Suburban]

Bad thermostat? In the mean time bungee cord a piece of cardboard over the grille to get some extra heating going on.

 

[chauncey0337]

Bad thermostat? In the mean time bungee cord a piece of cardboard over the grille to get some extra heating going on.

I thought so too but thermostat was replaced.

 

[Doubeleive]

could be a stuck open thermostat or they used the wrong one, or they used one of those super cheap radiators that does not restrict the flow into the reservoir (another member had the same issue recently).

 

[chauncey0337]

could be a stuck open thermostat or they used the wrong one, or they used one of those super cheap radiators that does not restrict the flow into the reservoir (another member had the same issue recently).

Ok, thanks. I'll look into that.

 

[Fless]

could be a stuck open thermostat or they used the wrong one, or they used one of those super cheap radiators that does not restrict the flow into the reservoir (another member had the same issue recently).

Spot on. Bet they installed a radiator without the restrictor in the line to the reservoir.

 

[89Suburban]

Spot on. Bet they installed a radiator without the restrictor in the line to the reservoir.

Can y’all esplain this to us naive to the subject?

 

[Fless]

See this thread, Post #45 (@swathdiver comes through again!):

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/engine-not-reaching-operating-temperature.108432/

EDIT: I corrected the post number, it's "45". Fat fingers.

 

[Wolfbraid]

Could it be they didn't bleed/burp the system well enough? you may have air trapped in it.

When you start it up in the morning, listen if you hear gurgling, there may be air in the heatercore

 

[swathdiver]

See this thread, Post #4 (@swathdiver comes through again!):

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/engine-not-reaching-operating-temperature.108432/

Post #45: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/engine-not-reaching-operating-temperature.108432/page-5

 

[chauncey0337]

Could it be they didn't bleed/burp the system well enough? you may have air trapped in it.

When you start it up in the morning, listen if you hear gurgling, there may be air in the heatercore

No, I have not heard any gurgling. Thanks for the response though.

 

[chauncey0337]

See this thread, Post #45 (@swathdiver comes through again!):

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/engine-not-reaching-operating-temperature.108432/

EDIT: I corrected the post number, it's "45". Fat fingers.

Thanks Fless.

 

[chauncey0337]

Post #45: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/engine-not-reaching-operating-temperature.108432/page-5

Thanks guys! I will check to see if I have an excess amount of coolant flowing into my expansion tank.

 

[SnowDrifter]

For what it's worth, if your tank is full and you've driven the vehicle to operating temp: It's probably not air. These trucks bleed on their own and bleed easy

 

[chauncey0337]

So, I clamped the hose that goes from radiator to the tank and it reached normal operating temp. Thanks gentlemen. But I still have lukewarm front heat. My rear heat is great. Just changed the blend door actuator and made sure it was operating correctly. Could it be my heater core is plugged? It has not worked properly since I got it back from the shop where they said they did a flush when the radiator was replaced.

 

[SnowDrifter]

What's the temperature drop across your inlet and outlet?