Thermostat ok?

[toukats]

I have a '95 camry wagon. When I have run the engine for 5 minutes the temperature gauge moves to normal running temperature and get great heating through the heater core. But I noticed that while the radiator hose carrying coolant to the radiator is hot, the return hose from the radiator to the pump stays cool (still winter in PA). I would have expected that some heat would return from the radiator. Can I assume the thermostat is operating properly?

[96paseo]

When I have run the engine for 5 minutes the temperature gauge moves to normal running temperature

You answered your own question. See teh bold words.

[bigbird]

does it stay at the normal level? if so, and if there is nothing suspicious about how the car runs or the gauge moves, then it should be fine.