1998 s10 no heat problem

hi,
I've got a 1998 s-10 with the 2.2L 4cly with the 5 speed manual and it's 2 wheel drive. I am having a problem with the heat that I can figure out. I run the truck and the temperature gauge only comes up to about 140 degrees. I have replaced the outlet heater hose ( it had a small leak), the thermostat, the radiator cap, and the coolant. I unhooked all of the hoses and nothing is clogged up. there is no leaks that i can find and no coolant or coolant smell inside the cab. I'm thinking it might be the heater core itself but how to I check before I take the entire dash apart? could it be something else? I think I covered all the the cooling system but help on this problem is much appreciated. thanks

hi,
I've got a 1998 s-10 with the 2.2L 4cly with the 5 speed manual and it's 2 wheel drive. I am having a problem with the heat that I can figure out. I run the truck and the temperature gauge only comes up to about 140 degrees. I have replaced the outlet heater hose ( it had a small leak), the thermostat, the radiator cap, and the coolant. I unhooked all of the hoses and nothing is clogged up. there is no leaks that i can find and no coolant or coolant smell inside the cab. I'm thinking it might be the heater core itself but how to I check before I take the entire dash apart? could it be something else? I think I covered all the the cooling system but help on this problem is much appreciated. thanks

With the engine shut off and cool, I suggest that you disconnect both heater hoses at the fire wall and attach a garden hose to the smaller of the two fittings with a hose clamp. You will have to cut the end of the hose off first. Anyway, once it is attached, start turning the water hose on slow and gradually increase the water. You should see a good solid stream of anti-freeze and then clear water come out of the other fitting. You may also see a lot of scale and crap blow out too. If you had Dexcool in it, both the heater core and rad are probably plugged. If you don't see a good stream coming out of the other fitting, You will have found your problem. Tearing the dash apart is a last resort. You may also want to buy some radiator flush and clean out your entire system.

Read this Thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=729213

Engine temp at 140 degrees is too cold, needs to be 195 degrees. Thermostat might be stuck open, calibrated incorrectly, or just the wrong thermostat. When the engine is at proper operating temperature, both heater hoses should be too hot to hold with bare hands comfortably. Both hoses should be approximately the same temperature.