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low heat in Dodge Ram 1500 Quad
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dhaywood
New User
Feb 21, 2010, 8:28 PM
Post #1 of 2
(4710 views)
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low heat in Dodge Ram 1500 Quad
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I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L. I have had trouble for several years with low heat at idle and low speed. The temp goes up if you race the engine or drive at highway speed. I have replaced the thermostat and radiator cap. I have flushed the heater core in both directions. The water was clear with no apparent obstructions. The temperature of the input line to the core shows 165 degrees and the output side shows 148. I placed an HVAC thermometer in the vent and it reads 135 @ fast idle and drops to 120 @ low idle. I did take it to the Dodge dealer for an unrelated issue and mentioned the low heat problem. The mechanic said he thought he knew what the problem was and afterward it worked for about a year. Unfortunately I don't know what he did but I heard him say something about the vacuum lines. I have looked at the vacuum layout in the Haynes manual and don't see anything that looks like it could cause the problem. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TRY. I tried posting this earlier and I thought it worked, only now I can't locate anything. So I apologize if this shows up twice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 21, 2010, 10:31 PM
Post #2 of 2
(4704 views)
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Re: low heat in Dodge Ram 1500 Quad
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Some questions and thoughts:
*Does temp gauge for engine stay steady once warmed up? It shouldn't fluctuate at all if normal.
* If it fluctuate it points to coolant passing thermostat even if just slightly - new one or not. Upper hose should remain cold to the touch for fair while as engine warms up and stay there.
RPMs make a difference. Two things happen, 1, the flow would naturally increase, 2, the amount of heat engine generates would go up as well.
Temp at thermostat cover should be very close (infrared test) as the thermostat's rating - typically close to 195F full operating temp.
Your observed temps all seem low to me. A quick look up suggests OE thermostat should be 192F..........
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Application:
OE recommended temperature
Notes: 192 degrees F ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your results seem more like a 180F thermostat is in there or it's letting coolant pass as said. Probably not the issue but antifreeze concentrations higher than 50% or would show -34F protection can lack heat transfer ability but none of your observed temps were quite high enough IMO, T
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