Heater not hot

[Tom01Rodeo]

The heater on my Rodeo isn't very hot. The engine temp guage is normal. Seems to cool down some when on the highway, could this be a bad thermostat?

[amigo-2k]

Mine is doing the same thing right now, due to the sub zero weather in WI.

-Ryan

[rodeo02]

Same with our 2002. In temps in the teens or less (degF), the heat is barely adequate. Always has been. Just have to keep the blower at or near high & it's okay. Kinda reminds me of a jeep wrangler I once had .

G/luck
Joel

[Tonupboy]

LMAO...that's funny...my Rodeo's heater chooses not to work during subzero temp...

[Tonupboy]

LMAO...that's funny...my Rodeo's heater chooses not to work during subzero temp...actually, the alternator goes down and when the temp got better she is fine again...

[Ramblin Fever]

Having somewhat the same issue right now, again only at subzero or right close. Only mine's a little different, I get more heat produced once I get on the highway.

Have all new hoses, radiator flush, new thermostat, so the weather was the only thing I could guess at - glad others are experiencing it as well.

[rodeo02]

More heat at hywy speeds is normal. You've got great coolant flow going on then. I think just *ok* heat is normal on rodeos. Nature of the beast type thing.
G/luck
Joel

[ptc1625]

you guys need to replace your thermostats, i had the same problem with one of my jeeps, the thermostat fixed the problem and the heat became hot again

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by ptc1625

you guys need to replace your thermostats, i had the same problem with one of my jeeps, the thermostat fixed the problem and the heat became hot again

Already have a new one, not even 5k miles on it. Only have the issue when it's VERY cold, and then it's only apparent for the first 15 miles or so, after a 10 minute warm-up. This truck has never experienced -10 below weather before, so I'm guessing it's norm. My Dodge Diesel is the same way in VERY cold weather.

[Cat Fuzz]

My heater works fine and its been down to zero here.

[steveb_92rodeo]

My '92 Rodeo has the same issue.

Note that not just *any* new thermostat may fix the problem.

There are generally several temp range thermostats, I had to choose between 3.

One, opens at 160-168 degrees, the next 180-190, and the latter 190 degrees.

The lower the rating, the cooler the engine will run, and the sooner the warming coolant will be allowed into the cooling cycle.

I haven't put the new thermo on yet, but I would suspect that in the summer, I may have to put the low temp one back on to prevent over-heating.

I also live in sub-zero temps (I can touch the north side of Lake Ontario).

Steve

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by steveb_92rodeo

My '92 Rodeo has the same issue.

Note that not just *any* new thermostat may fix the problem.

There are generally several temp range thermostats, I had to choose between 3.

One, opens at 160-168 degrees, the next 180-190, and the latter 190 degrees.

The lower the rating, the cooler the engine will run, and the sooner the warming coolant will be allowed into the cooling cycle.

I haven't put the new thermo on yet, but I would suspect that in the summer, I may have to put the low temp one back on to prevent over-heating.

I also live in sub-zero temps (I can touch the north side of Lake Ontario).

Steve

I do wonder if that's the case with my 97 3.2L, as it requires (or calls for) the 170* thermostat; whereas my 91 3.1L required a 190-195* thermostat.

It doesn't stay super cold long enough here to worry about changing mine from the 170*; but are they interchangable?

I thought the 170* was for protection over the all aluminum heads; whereas I don't believe my 91 Rodeo had all aluminum??

[steveb_92rodeo]

I don't know about the 97, but my 92 they are interchangeable. In fact, the Canadian Tire thermostat guide shows that the high temp one is recommended.

I don't think that 195 degrees will warp an aluminum head. I've got the 3.1L, and I've also had the exact same engine in my Cavaliers with no problems.

God, I wish I had the new thermo in this morning, -34 outside...it was a CCCOOLD ride to work!

Nonetheless, you'd better check the manual for your 97 before changing the thermostat, just to be sure, but like you say, if it doesn't stay cold down there for long, then you won't be changing it anyway.

Steve

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by steveb_92rodeo

I don't know about the 97, but my 92 they are interchangeable. In fact, the Canadian Tire thermostat guide shows that the high temp one is recommended.

I don't think that 195 degrees will warp an aluminum head. I've got the 3.1L, and I've also had the exact same engine in my Cavaliers with no problems.

God, I wish I had the new thermo in this morning, -34 outside...it was a CCCOOLD ride to work!

Nonetheless, you'd better check the manual for your 97 before changing the thermostat, just to be sure, but like you say, if it doesn't stay cold down there for long, then you won't be changing it anyway.

Steve

Nope, I'm not gonna bother, just wondering if it was even something that could be done.

Have you tried slipping a piece of cardboard in front of your grill? That use to work on an old truck we had years ago. How many miles you got on your rig?

Bet it's pretty up there!

[steveb_92rodeo]

The cardboard trick is quite common for older vehicles (very old), which some of them have even taken the thermostat right out.

Since the thermo is such an easy FRU fix, I'd rather go that way, then spoil the good looks of the front end of my 'zu. ;o)

I have 229,000 KM, which I *think* translates into 137,000 M.

After having severe intermittant starting problems all summer, I finally rewired the fuel pump and now the truck runs better than my 2002 honda civic.

Also, because of an improper repair on the front auto hub by the previous owner, I had to replace the front hubs with superwinch manuals, and man, I couldn't be happier.

Reliable now, yes. -34 and it started up like a dream. Took a few minutes for the gear oil in the 5spd to warm up so I could move the gears freely though :o)

Oh, and it is pretty up here. Where abouts are you?

Steve