Stuck thermostat?

[suseuser]

I just purchased a '95 Dodge Ram with the 5.2L. I've noticed that the temp gauge just barely registers above 130 deg. Even when it sits and runs for over 30 minutes. First I thought it was a sending unit or gauge problem. I also considered that it might be low on antifreeze. Then I thought I would turn on the heater and got nothing but luke-warm air. I'm guessing a stuck open thermostat. I can't hardly imagine that the engine would only get up to about 135 degrees even with an open thermostat. Does the engine cooling system really work that well? I haven't had a chance to take on a hour or longer trip. But you would surely think that after half an hour it would at least get close to operating temperature.

BTW, other than the heat issue. The motor runs smooth as silk. I'm absolutely amazed at how great this truck runs! I didn't expect this from a 18 year old vehicle.

TIA,

Curtis

 

[FL BOY]

Stuck open or not even one in there

 

[suseuser]

Stuck open or not even one in there

That would be something to pull the cover and see "nothing" in there! Not having a thermostat is not even an option in my case. My RAM will only be driven about 2 miles each way to work. That will be a majority of the drive time that it sees. And it is already below freezing in the mornings. It is very likely that the thermostat will never open with this type of driving.

 

[Johnn123]

I'd just replace whatever is in there now with a 195 degree stat just to be safe. DOn't get a failsafe one they trip out and stay open easy. Well from my experience on the internet tells me

 

[suseuser]

I'll go with a new thermostat first. But, even with a new thermostat I doubt it will get much over 135 deg with it only running 10 minutes at a time. I know these short trips are brutal on a motor.

 

[suseuser]

Is the thermostat replacement a big a pain in the butt as it looks? Looks like it's buried beneath the AC compressor lines and various other components. It appears to require major disassembly of surrounding parts to gain access.

 

[dodge dude94]

Yep. A/C compressor and possible alternator need to be set aside to gain access.

 

[suseuser]

That's what I was thinking. Last time I changed a thermostat the housing was pretty much out in the open. I figured it would be about an hour job. I guess I was mistaken!

 

[dodge dude94]

Should be too bad. Remove the belt, disconnect the wiring for the compressor, unbolt it, swing it out of the way. Voila! T-stat.

 

[suseuser]

I'll give it a shot. I go pick up a thermostat. I'll look for the 195 deg unit.

 

[wingnut]

FYI, my first Ram, 95, 5.2, had this issue too. I bought it with 7k on it. Nearly new, and the temp ran low from day one. Never thought too much about it, just always thought that was the way it was. Around 60k i changed the stat and BAM! rock-solid middle of the gauge all the time, and the heat was great! the problem with a low stat is that the coolant temp sensor will keep telling the computer the engine is colder than it is, and the program will tend to run the engine richer than it needs to be. Replace it with a factory t-stat. The old Stant stats that we used to buy and trust are no longer so. You can actually feel the weight difference in your hand between a factory, and aftermarket stat.

 

[suseuser]

I ended up with a side project so I haven't gotten to the stat yet. Someone had put that crappy stick-on window tint on all the windows of the truck. Spent the afternoon peeling the stuff off and cleaning off the glue!
I picked up a non-factory stat for about $10. The quality didn't seem that impressive. So I was a little hesitent to put it in. Who is a good source of factory dodge parts?

 

[Johnn123]

I ended up with a side project so I haven't gotten to the stat yet. Someone had put that crappy stick-on window tint on all the windows of the truck. Spent the afternoon peeling the stuff off and cleaning off the glue!
I picked up a non-factory stat for about $10. The quality didn't seem that impressive. So I was a little hesitent to put it in. Who is a good source of factory dodge parts?

Get a stant super stat and be done with it

 

[suseuser]

I got the thermostat replaced. What an ordeal! Anyway, after inspection, the old thermostat had actually broken off of it's support frame. No idea how that was possible unless the previous owner replaced it and broke it on installation. Now, I'm sitting steady at 200 deg. Before it would never get above 130 deg. Hopefully it will help increase my mileage from 9 mpg!