How do I increase the water temp for winter

I would expect that vehicle to already have a 195 degree thermostat. Why do you feel that it's "not all that hot?" Are you talking about the engine temp (as implied by the remark about the temp gauge) or the heater?

Sounds like something else going on. My 96 caravan 3.3 engine temp gauge also sits right smack in the middle, using the original OEM thermostat, and it pumps out lots of nice hot heat from the heater.

Maybe the heater core is partially blocked. I would also run the HVAC calibration test - maybe the heat is not actually going to full hot when you move the slider all the way to the right. You might also find a fault with the heat control motor.

A piece of cardboard blocking 1/2 of the radiator might help.

---------- Alex

Its the heat is insufficient, as like what happened today, we had freezing rain and I had it on defrost middle blower speed, temp gauge needle in middle. It was ok at a stop light which would melt the freezing rain but as soon as I start driving the freezing rain starts clogging on the windshield. I would think the heat should be strong enough to keep the freezing rain from freezing while driving. I bought the 96 Voyager used from a dealer, and by the maintenance records it looks well taken care of by a dealer etc... I have not check to see what temp thermostat is there. How about the electric cooling fans, at what engine temp do they turn on?

Thanks,

Greg

put a piece of cardboard in front of the rad. ...thehick

While we can't know what temperature the engine is really running, it's certainly somewhere that Chrysler called normal. have you checked for blockage in the heater core? Proper function of the blend-air door? If this vehicle can shut off water to the heater core when the heater is off, is that valve functioning?

Jumping from "my heater isn't hot enough" to "I need my engine to run hotter in spite of the temp gauge" is quite a leap.

The difference between thermostats will make no significant difference in the temperature of the air blowing on the windshield. Yer problem is in the air handling for the defroster or the heat exchanger (heater core).

Make sure the defroster fan is working. Make sure there are no air leaks (feel around under the dash, there may be vents not closing), make sure the heater core is very hot.

Did you try turning the fan on high? What is the temp knob set at? Full red (hot)?

I find that the heater output on my 2002 Caravan is marginal during bitterly cold days when the temp drops below 10 degrees F or so.

On the standard Voyager/Caravan without the rear heater, the heater output in terms terms of BTU's is simply marginal in my opinion. The air does come out of the heater at a sufficiently hot temp. There is simply not enough capacity. When I put the fan on its highest speed, the air temp actually drops. This tells me that the heater core simply isn't adequate.

I've also had the problem of ice forming on the windshield under such conditions.

You are trying to heat a big box with a marginal heater. I doubt that there is much that can be done. My dealer has said that others have a similar complaint.

In reality, if the standard heater was perfectly adequate, why would Chrysler/Dodge offer an optional rear heater???

Doug