Heater Problems

Ok y'all i just bought a 98 Durango and I love it the only complaint i have is that the heat in it sucks...It blows warm air at the #2 setting on the fan speed and cold air any high than that. I had the Thermostat replaced and they told me nothing else was wrong but i don't believe that at all. the temp gauge doesn't even reach the middle of the gauge when its warm. My jeep was blazing hot when the needle moved above the cold line.... ANY HELP?

I also have a 98 and have always done all of my own repair and I have a couple of ideas. I have the same problem with the guage on mine but my heat seams to be fine.

first off, does the heater put out hot air or just luke warm?

If it blows hot air it might just be your temp sending unit, between the heater hose on the water pump and the upper radiator hose, thermostat.

You might need to get a lower temp thermostat that will open at a lower temp. Once your Durango warms up, feel the upper radiator hose, if it is hot then your thermostat opened and you can check off one more thing isnt the problem.
or
Change your mixture of water to coolant in the radiator, it shoudl still be around 50/50 mix but more water means a lower boiling point.

I can tell you it probably isnt the water pump itself or it would be extremely hot.

I just finished heating and cooling system jobs on 2 different Durangos, and have just started sharing my knowledge. I will be posting on this forum anytime I think I can help someone. Let me know if any of these works.

MY 99 Durango does the same things(a little heat at #1 or #2 but cold above that) Could the heater core be plugged? Looks like a pain to remove!!!

It could definately be plugged, I would try backflushing it. There are several threads with instructions on how to do it. But since you are getting a little heat I think it might only have a small clog otherwise you might not get any heat at all. And yes it is a pain to replace the heater core, i have done it to several vehicles over the years and there is a reason the dealer charges $800.00 and up to do it.