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2000 S10. The truck had not been driven for about 3 days. Somewhat cold nights the last two nights. Today I drove maybe 4 miles to get out and walk around a house. Then maybe 3 miles and got out to go inside another house for maybe 20 minutes. Then a 3 mile drive to and from another location. This vehicle is quick to warm up but the temperature gauge is around 120 and not rising.
At what temperature or after how many miles of nonstop driving needed to get the thermostat to open?
Consequences of a bad thermostat that won't open?
Thanks.
Living in the mountains, it is not uncommon for this problem.
We usually put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator behind the grill. something you can easily remove for more extensive trips.
Another thing I did is to tarp my cab when not in use and hold the tarp in the door jam to keep it there.
It accomplished several things.
1. it kept the cab and engine warmer.
2. locks never accumulated ice
3. windows and mirrors stayed clear
4. It kept snoopy people from peering in.
5, When it come time to go home after work I was the first out of the parking lot while everyone else was still scrapping off their windshields.
6. the tarp also acted as a blanket for laying in the snow while installing chains.
I carefully shook it out and folded it and put it behind the seat every time.
Like having a portable garage.
Living in the mountains, it is not uncommon for this problem.
We usually put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator behind the grill. something you can easily remove for more extensive trips.
Another thing I did is to tarp my cab when not in use and hold the tarp in the door jam to keep it there.
It accomplished several things.
1. it kept the cab and engine warmer.
2. locks never accumulated ice
3. windows and mirrors stayed clear
4. It kept snoopy people from peering in.
5, When it come time to go home after work I was the first out of the parking lot while everyone else was still scrapping off their windshields.
6. the tarp also acted as a blanket for laying in the snow while installing chains.
I carefully shook it out and folded it and put it behind the seat every time.
Like having a portable garage.
The OP stated that the truck's engine seems to warm up quickly enough, but the engine heat isn't reaching the cab. Putting cardboard in front of the radiator won't solve that problem. I very much doubt anyone is going to tarp a truck multiple times a day every time they make a short stop. Very much doubt draping a tarp over a cab will keep it noticeably warmer for very long after stopping when its cold. The R-value of the material must be very low.
OP, those driving distances were pretty short so maybe the thermostat isn't opening, but if it seems to be working normally the problem could be the heater core.
Last edited by Parnassia; 01-08-2022 at 12:44 PM..
My first thought was thermostat is stuck open. My second thought, heater core is bad. Third, there might be a problem with the blend door under the dash or with those controls that open and close that door.
I had a 2000 Chevrolet that had an issue with the fan, so a new fan control was needed. That wasn’t blowing cold air issue.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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If temp is only 120F, likely thermostat is stuck open (Not a risk to damage engine, tho not efficient for thermal advantage.) If thermostat stuck SHUT (engine runs over temp, that is a problem).
Another potential problem (Vehicle dependent) is heater core cavitation / or control valve blockage. I.e. water is not passing through heater core. Some of my vehicles, the heater core is placed higher than any other water flow, and if there is an air bubble, heater core might be bypassed by warm fluid. System needs to be burped / air removed. Typically you can loosen the highest heater core hose clamp from engine compartment and air will burp out when thermostat opens.
Friend borrowed the truck and took it on a longer trip and higher speed. There is heat now.
Thanks to all who made comments of value going forward.
He blew the cobs out of it. That'll usually fix it.
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The OP stated that the truck's engine seems to warm up quickly enough, but the engine heat isn't reaching the cab. Putting cardboard in front of the radiator won't solve that problem. I very much doubt anyone is going to tarp a truck multiple times a day every time they make a short stop. Very much doubt draping a tarp over a cab will keep it noticeably warmer for very long after stopping when its cold. The R-value of the material must be very low. 
to all who made comments of value going forward.
