engine not warming up

[ranger108]

I have an '89 ranger 2.9, and I am having trouble getting it to warm up. The stock gauge does not get much past the C even after quite a while of driving. Sometimes the gauge will come up, even up to the 12:00 position, but then drops right back down. I have tried a new thermostat, flushed radiator and added 50/50 mix, cleaned out heater core (don't get any heat out of the heater). I checked the mechanical movement of the heater to make sure it changes to heat, which it does. I am out of things to try, and I am having a cold drive here in MN. If anyone has any ideas as to how get some heat out of it, I would be all ears. The only thing left would be the fan clutch, but can that cause it to not warm up, and not get any heat out of the heater?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

Your fan clutch is certainly not the issue. That has little to do with anything unless she is overheating. I would like to know if your motor is seeing temperature, forget about the gauge and feel the top hose. Does it reach proper operating temp? is it pumping coolant through it once warm? Which way is your thermostat installed? Stupid question, but does your blower fan come on and go through all its settings?

 

[ranger108]

I will take it for a drive, and try those things. The blower fan for the heater does only work on it's highest setting, so I wouldn't think that would be it. I also put it's second thermostat in, and made sure that the arrow towards the radiator was pointed towards the radiator. I will take it for a drive, and see if it is warm.

 

[ranger108]

I just got back from a 25 minute drive. The top hose is only slightly warm, so I would say that it is not warming up. Beyond the thermostat I replaced, the new rad. fluid, I am out of ideas. Anything else you would suggest? I does appear that the fan runs all the time. Would that keep it too cool, or would that have no effect? Thanks for your help

 

[pcollins]

Did you install the thermostat the right way? did you burp the system of air after doing all of those repairs? and what mixture of coolant did you put in? The reason your blower motor works on 4 only is due to the resistor being bad, easy to replace, but its not your issue.

 

[holyford86]

what are you running for a thermostat? make sure you are running the 195* unit the factory specified. make sure that the fan has some resistance when you turn it, It shouldn't be locked up though, if it is, replace the clutch. As previously stated the blower motor only working on high is not an issue, it just means your heater blower resistor and/or plug are bad (common).

 

[ranger108]

I took the cover off, and figured out the thermostat was in fact put in backwards. I thought for sure I put it in right, but sure enough, there it was. I put it back on right, and it warms up normally now, and blows heat out of the heater. Thanks for help. It was the last thing I suspected, but lo and behold it works great now. Thanks very much for the help.