So, my dad has a '98 Ram 1500 4x4 with the 5.2 V8. He had the water pump changed a few years ago, plus a new thermostat with it. He said before the water pump change, the heat would burn you out of the truck.. After the water pump change, it wouldn't get NEARLY as hot. Then earlier this year, he had someone at work put in another 190 degree thermostat, thinking the heating problem was caused by a faulty thermostat. Again, the truck wouldn't warm up to what it had before.

With it getting to 15~ consistently now where he lives, the heat is a definite priority.. Today he put a 1/4 inch thick piece of plywood in front of the radiator with a few slits in it, and the thing STILL doesn't warm up properly.

The gauge says 160-180 or so at operating temp, and he says it used to run around 210-215.

Any ideas? I'm thinking thermostat, again.. But it would mean 2 faulty thermostats in a row, which just seems WAAAY too unlikely.

 

Also, the radiator is full, and the hoses are showing no signs of major leaks.

 

New day bump..

 

The last thing I want with some work car is work to do on it. I'd stay away from 98-01 corollas unless you like wrench work.

 

What?

 

Check out his sig and maybe it'll help explain..

Hahahahaha