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Read you other posts.
If you have a thermometer, even a candy or meat type, insert into the radiator fill point and let the engine heat up. Compare temp readings with temp gauge locations.
Doing this you will be sure the temp gauge indicates reasonably normal. That 1/8 needle position is low coolant temp, middle reading normal and anything above is getting too hot.
Suggest you not clamp off the radiator hoses.
Given your cold air temps one trick is to place cardboard in front of the radiator. This will block the air flow and raise the coolant temps. Start out by blocking say 25% of the radiator fin area and determine what happens. If too much resulting in too high gauge indication remove some cardboard, if not enough add some.
The T-stat should regulate the coolant temps regardless of outside air temp. What temp setting is the T-stat, a typical setting is 180F. The number is stamped on the T-stat.
The flow of coolant to the heater has only one control, this being the heater control valve that opens and closes with the temp selection switch on the dash.
If the heater system has automatic cabin temp setting one of the temp gauges may be linked to the climate control computer to open/close this valve.
If the heater is manual, by you moving the temp knob or arm you physically open and close the valve via a cable system.
If you have decent cabin heat when the temp gauge is indicating about 1/2 or a little below would guess the heater is core is OK and look at the T-stat.
If still poor heat when the temp gauge read 1/2 then look at a plugged heater core.
Often the core becomes plugged with debris and this lowers or stops the coolant flow. If this was the case sticking outlet a garden hose to one end of the core intake and disconnected the core outlet hose so the water runs out freely may flush out the debris.
Since it is so cold, try the cardboard fix. It is not substitute for a working T-stat but will raise the coolant temp high enough to get some heat. When temps rise and you get some cash replace the T-stat assuming the core is not plugged.
You can buy aftermarket non-Toyota T-stat for about 1/2 the price.
And any time you open up the coolant sytem and refill air needs to bleed itself out of the system. The coolant level will drop, thus recheck the level after driving for a time. Let the system adjust the level and recheck when the engine is cold.
Last edited by toyomoho; 01-24-2009 at 02:06 PM.
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