'93 Chevy G20 van w/305, no a/c. Purchased in spring of '03 from a small maintained fleet with the proviso that "You won't get much heat this winter". Well he was right. I do get SOME heat, but not much. My temp gauge reads what I believe to be 140( 2nd hash mark on gauge). At first I thought low temp thermostat. I believe it was functioning properly, as I saw the gauge barely fluctuate from the mark, indicating the stat was opening and closing(?). I replaced that yesterday with new 195 stat. Old stat was found to be 195 too. Temp gauge is graduated from 100 to 260; 5 segments. I figure
180 must be the middle slash. After new stat install, my gauge still reads at the second hash(140?). Using a digital thermometer, I checked the water temp at the radiator fill and found it to be in the 140 range. Not wanting to, but needing to see if I could influence the gauge to a new reading, I put cardboard directly on 1/2 the radiator. I then took the van for a 7 mi loop on the interstate to test. That gauge never moved a whisker more from the 2nd hash mark than it had prior to the cardboard installation. Checked water at radiator after drive and found it to be in the 160 range. Using the thermometer on the drive, I tested air temp from the defrost vent(100ish), and the small vents in the doghouse(85). In comparison, my Buick LaSabre reads at almost 155 at the vent outlet. I guess my question is..., can a vehicle be overcooled? Does the factory ever oversize components in anticipation of installing extras, only to find that some models go out as *basics*? Why can't I get water temp up to the proper range? Thanks.-- jeff wald
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