Engine not warming up, heat not hot

[xpatrick32x]

I have a 1984 GMC Sierra with a 350 and the temperature gauge reads only about 120-150 degrees after driving it for about 30 minutes of driving. I live in Ohio so it has been anywhere between 0 to 30 degrees. I just put in a new 195 degree thermostat a few days ago and it made little to no difference! Also my heat is pretty much useless it actually feels cold blowing on my feet.

Please give me some suggestions on what the problem could be, thank you!

[ARshuter]

Possibly the thermostat sticking open.  How big is your radiator?  I once had a 77 with a 4 or 5 core rad that wouldn't throw heat til I put a winter front on the truck.   

[Kren420]

Not correct ratio of water to antifreeze maybe?  I had a buddy change the fluid in his Ranger, put too much water in and it froze.  Only noticed it was frozen because he wasn't getting any heat blowing in the cab I guess.

[xpatrick32x]

Possibly the thermostat sticking open.  How big is your radiator?  I once had a 77 with a 4 or 5 core rad that wouldn't throw heat til I put a winter front on the truck.   

It was happening before and after I changed the thermostat. Its a 4 core radiator, not sure how big, but it was the same radiator in it last year and I had heat. It is only about 1.5 years old to. I tried putting cardboard infront of the radiator it helped, but not very much.

[ARshuter]

How bout a trapped air bubble?

[xpatrick32x]

Not correct ratio of water to antifreeze maybe?  I had a buddy change the fluid in his Ranger, put too much water in and it froze.  Only noticed it was frozen because he wasn't getting any heat blowing in the cab I guess.

The antifreeze was just flushed out about a month or two ago, and its probably about 80% antifreeze.

[xpatrick32x]

How bout a trapped air bubble?

Is there a way to check that?

[ARshuter]

The only thing I can think of would be leaving the cap off over night.  Maybe someone else has a better answer.  The 80% anti freeze may be a problem also try getting closer to a 50/50 mix, just a thought.

[Irish_Alley]

imo our trucks really dont get bubbles i never had one in our trucks. my 79 will burn you out of the cab my 91 v3500 crew is ok as long as its not too cold or it does the same thing and wont warm up. one option is to block part of the radiator off. i wouldnt jump head first and block too much at first and i would use cardboard

[xpatrick32x]

imo our trucks really dont get bubbles i never had one in our trucks. my 79 will burn you out of the cab my 91 v3500 crew is ok as long as its not too cold or it does the same thing and wont warm up. one option is to block part of the radiator off. i wouldnt jump head first and block too much at first and i would use cardboard

I actually already tried cardboard and covered the entire radiator and still not much heat and low temps.

[srozell]

Is the radiator getting warm?

Is there any chance the thermostat went in backwards? (I haven't had to do one yet, so I don't even know if it's possible.)

Is the radiator fluid topped up appropriately?

[Irish_Alley]

i dealt with it in my 91, i would drive my car or my 94 if it got cold like that. but now im putting in  my cummins and from what i understand they run cooler so heat will really be a problem. dont think its the problem but curious how are your heater hoses ran?

[jaredts]

Do you have the stock fan?

[swilliams]

I have had this happen and mine ended up being to low of a level in the radiator.

[ARshuter]

Curious, did you figure anything out?