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LinerJoe

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey all!

I'm still having some heater issues with my D. I last discussed this in February of last year, but I haven't driven it much since then (probably < 1000 miles.) It's getting wintery out there, so the D is about ready to hit the limelight. The heat takes a long time to get warm, and even after 45 minutes it's still not hot, but it's warm. 2 years ago it'd actually get hot.

I still don't think the D is warming up all of the way? What temp should a 1998 5.2L run at when it's 40 degrees outside? After a 45 minute drive @ 70 MPH, the gauge only shows about 170. I have attached a picture (picture taken in my garage, right after pulling in after the aforementioned 45 minute drive.) Does this seem normal? I'm running a stock 195 degree thermostat.

Also, my '98 D (5.2L) is overdue on several maintenance items. I'm getting ready to change the differential fluids and transfer case fluid. It appears that Mobil 1 75w90 is the consensus for the diffs. What should I get for the transfer case?

I have seen several posts reference the o2 sensor replacements for improved MPG. There are 2 o2 sensors, do you replace both of them? It appears that the preference here's OEM Mopar o2 sensors.

Lastly, this may be a really stupid question, but how do you know when you need new ball joints? I'm at 105k miles and I don't think they've been changed (if they had, it was before 33k miles).

Thanks!

joe
 

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#3 ·
Second on the thermostat being stuck open.

The t/case uses ATF+4, same as the tranny (meaning no need to buy ATF +# and +4.) This being Dodge's recommendation at this time.

You don't say what your mileage is. If it's 12.5 or better, you probably won't see anymore improvement from changing Oxygen sensors.

Abnormal tire wear is a dead give away.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
jimbo said:
Did you change your thermostat? It sounds like your stat is stuck open. I had that happen to an Olds Starfire, years ago. You had to drive for about an hour before you got any heat.
Click to expand...
I have replaced the thermostat twice. I put in an 180 degree first, and then when the D started having problems last year, I put a 195 back in it.

I believe I purchased the tstat at Autozone. Should I just go to Dodge and grab an OEM tstat? Stant seems to be reputable as well?

Regarding MPG, straight highway driving is giving me about 12. If it's city at all I'm easily 10.

joe
 
#5 ·
I agree T stat stuck open
Steve
DOC Pres
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I picked up an OEM Mopar 195 tstat from the local dealer this morning, and once the D cools off, I'll get to work on it. I also picked up the differential and transfer case fluids. It looks like I'm going to have a busy afternoon / evening. Since I'm not much of a wrench monkey, it might be a good thing I have tomorrow off. :)

I'll give you an update when complete (unless I run into problems).

joe
 
#7 ·
I have the 4.7 but my D runs at around the same temp.
 
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#8 ·
That should run a bit warmer than that as well unless the sender is bad and just not giving the right input.
At Those temps at full warm up it should be sending a code
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#10 ·
I think between 185-210 give or take a bit
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#12 ·
1000 miles in 20 months, :bugeyed:

In 40 deg weather you should get close to normal. low side, but not that low.
 
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#13 ·
Krown said:
I have the 4.7 but my D runs at around the same temp.
Click to expand...
In the same conditions?
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
First, it's 1000 miles in 9 months, not 20 months. :) Not that it really changes a whole lot. The D just doesn't get driven as often with gas prices the way they're. It's pretty much been relegated to winter / haul / more than 4 person duty. I'm hoping to start towing with it soon, so she may get some more use.

Anyway, back to the issue at hand. I just pulled out the old tstat, and it's NOT stuck open. When I pulled it out, it was definitely closed. I then stuck it in a pot on the stove and turned it up. Right around 190 it opened (it's stamped 193.) I took it out of the water, and it closed. Back in the water, it opened. So it appears to be working ok. I didn't have any leaks either. That tstat was in there good.

I'm getting ready to install the new Mopar 195 tstat right now, since I already purchased it and opened it. Perhaps I'll be lucky and it was an issue with the old tstat even though it doesn't exhibit any issues.

Thanks for all of the advice. Hopefully we'll find the issue. If it's not the thermostat, what are the other reasons for not warming up properly?

joe
 
#15 ·
It'd be nice to get a thermo gun. Maybe the gauge isn't working correctly, but I'm not buying that.

Just the way you worded the start of that sentence 'feb of last year'
 
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#16 ·
When it's "warmed up", as warm as you can get it, check the heater hoses at the firewall. Do they feel hot? If not, the heater core may be blocked. Thayt would address your heater problem, but not the low temp problem.
 
#17 ·
I'd have said a bad stat too. See my photo below of your temp gauge. The pink line is where yours should be. The green line is where my *not-so-stock* setup runs everyday. Heat is fine at either. Your photo isn't good on the D because running to cool causes the PCM to call for more fuel as if it was on a cold choke type setting.

+1 on the ATF+4. Get a Mopar tranny filter and adjust the bands when you drop the pan for service.

+1 on the Mobil1 75w90 diff lube. Use in the front and the rear.

+1 on looking for tire wear on bad BJs. Also, jack it up and see if the wheels will flex when you grab them trying to rock the tire from top to bottom. They shouldn't move if okay. As far as I know, my stocker dealer recall replacements are still fine at nearly 95,000 miles. I had mine replaced at 92k IIRC.

+1 on getting a laser sensor. PepBoys sells them. You seem to have a plugged up system somewhere. Sure the coolant is at the right levels and still doing it's job?

That should all help.

AND AND AND? where are you in Indianapolis!? I'm a west-sider (Brownsburg actually) If you need any help or D related assistance, please feel free to let me know.

IndyDurango
 

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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Well, I just got back from a 45 minute trip. I let it warm up for about 20 minutes while I was burping the cooling system. I'd say that the heater is blowing hotter air than before, but the operating temperature didn't change. It's still at the same place as it was in my picture (and nowhere near the green and pink lines on your posted picture.) I just added more coolant, and I assume it's working ok? I'm definitely not the most mechanically inclined person, so I could be missing something.

The "cold-choke" thought could also explain my less-than-stellar (for a D) gas mileage too. Unfortunately, I don't know what else to check.

I did change the rear differential fluid tonight, and I'll work on the front tomorrow + the transfer case.

Regarding location, I'm on the east side near Fort Benjamin Harrison (about 2 miles away.) We pass by Brownsburg (well, the sign for Brownsburg off of I-65) quite a bit on our way to Crawfordsville, where my wife's family lives, and they like to watch our girls for us. If you're the D guru, I might have to bring it by sometime and see if I'm just paranoid about things, or if I really do have an issue.

Thanks!

joe
 
#19 ·
Gotcha. Just let me know. Happy to have a look.

BTW, the Bburg exit is off of 74 to Cville. You're not going up 65 are you? There's a Bburg exit off of 65 but 65 seems way north of Cville when it (Cville) has it's own exit right off of 74 and is then south of there.

IndyD
 
#20 ·
Yikes, sounds like the same problem I had but only during the winter. I had a highly recom, D dealer (Scotia Dodge) look into mine when I had the same issues. They went through it inside and out and said that mine wasn't the only one to have that issue of not showing normal operating temp. Everything checked out fine, came with a pretty bill too, * had them replace the sensors just for luck * but I was told to run a radiator blocker such as the semi-rigs, just for the cold season. Can't say I've ever heard of it on a 4.7 though. It was great though, an every day 15 minute trip to work, and just as I was getting close to work it'd start to get warm inside and the truck would show decent temp just in time to get out and feel even colder.
 
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LinerJoe
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