Temp

[LoneRangers15]

What does the temp in ur Tech 4 usually run? My stays at about 1/3 of the gage and I've never seen it get to the halfway mark. Is this bad? Do I need a thermostat?

[Kaisar]

Mine runs the gamut. But, running normally, mine stays right at about the 1/3 mark too. Sounds normal to me.

Does it warm up to that, or does it appear to be stuck at that point?

I replaced my thermostat for the first time at about 100k Mi, which is probably later that than normal service, but it did not show signs of problems. When it finally did act weird, I noticed I could not keep engine coolant, and got suspicious. This one is rather easy to replace too, by the way.

If it is not getting hot, and the heater still puts out heat as it normally should, then I would not worry about it.

[LoneRangers15]

The heater gets warm but not hot like in some cars and it takes a while.

[Kaisar]

Warm is good, but I would expect it to get hot after the engine runs about 10 minutes, depending on the outside air temp.

When did the heater stop getting hot? Was it related in time to anything else done to the car?

If you have replaced the thermostat sometime in the past, is it possible the new t-stat opens up at a cooler temp than the stock one, and never lets the engine reach a hot enough temperature for comfortable warm air?

By the way, someone once told me the t-stat opening too early can also affect gas milage (for the worse) which is also related to engine running temperatures.

[LoneRangers15]

I just got the car last May so this is the first time I've used the heater. It is cold at first and WARM after 10 min. it has never been HOT.

[p8ntman442]

iut should be at 230 constant and if its not, your probably having a thermostat problemor air in the system. a bad water pump makes the heater put out a lot of heat.

[GALE]

My heater core was messed up on my 2.5 it was cloged up and a few other things. But my car has a new heater core and works fine. You might want to check that out.

[Kaisar]

I understand the heater core is inside the firewall (behind the dash) in this car.

My uncle replaced his heater core in a 1991 Tech4, and metioned that it was not an easy job. (BTW, is it common with most cars for the core to be on the inside?).

[p8ntman442]

most cars yes, and yes it is a bad job. If you can stand on your head for 35 mins straight and have a alot of patience you can get down there and remove all the center console pieces under the dash. then access it from there. its fun. hahahhaa good luck