So I was just wondering if it was normal for my truck to never get that warm. With lots of driving the temperature gauge never goes above 1/4. Then when I have the radio and a/c on I can notice I have a lot less power than normal.

Just wondering if all this is normal.

 

you need to change your thermostat

 

check your thermostat it may be stuck open

running too cool is not the worst thing but not good ether buy that i mean higher temperatures help burn the carbon and fuel off better but too hot will burn the heads

 

where is the thermostat? because there are often times im running below c and i know my temp shud be in the middle.

 

your thermostat is stuck open i bet

 

should be located where the uper hose from the radiator returns to the block

 

What do I need to do to check it?

 

99.9 percent that's the problem

 

maybe i didn't even put mine in.... i changed my radiator because it cracked on the plastic part don't remember any thermostat...

 

my original radiator had a leak
and the one i found to fit was from a ZX2 but its almost TWICE as thick as the original
even with a hotter running thermostat it never gets hot...especially in the winter

but, put a piece of cardboard in the grill to cover about half of it and it works great
my temp gauge reads about 200 in the city and 190 on the highway when its around 35 degrees outside

 

as for the AC, yes you will lose power if your AC is on.


for heating up, in the winter in Wyoming my truck wouldn't heat up so i pulled the fan off and it got up to normal... then i would go wheelin not thinking about it and peg the temp gauge :/

 

Ok, I got a thermostat yesterday and I have concluded that it's a ***** to replace because depending on which extension you use for a socket its ether too short or too long. So I had to pull the radiator and fan to access it. Then I realized that I don't have any gasket sealant. So it should be all back together today.

 

My mom ride 02 explorer is having the same problem will get more than 1/4 hot not even in the summer when its like 80F+

 

My 1993 2.3L had all new thermostat and hoses everything at it always ran on the cold side. only time it would go in the middle was when i did long freeway trips. the truck always had great heat tho..

your radio has nothing to do with HP being robbed but like stated above when the a/c is on a 4cyl you WILL feel the power loss do to the power an a/c compressor robs