Re: '88 Voyager heating problem (no simple fix)

Jason Cluett wrote:
> 
> I've got a '88 voyager, 3.0L v6.  I can't seem to get any heat out of it.
> The gauge only climbs just above the "C" on the gauge, and it blows barely
> luke warm air, and that's after 15 minutes idling!  if I drive it falls like
> a rock to below the "C".  Basically, not only is there no heat  in the
> cabin, there is no heat in the engine either.  I can put my hand on the
> upper and lower hose and tell it's not up to temperature... even the plenum
> seems cooler than it should be.
> 
> I know what you are thinking... thermostat... I'm on my 3rd one! I've
> replaced the water pump, thermostat (3 times), all cooling hoses and lines,
> radiator and heater core have been flushed and flow excellent.  I'm not
> loosing any coolant, it's not in my oil pan, or on the ground, and it's new
> fluid (mixed 50/50).
> 
> Any ideas... I was thinking air locked.. but I've tried everything to get
> any trapped air out... and none came!  Hoping for a wiser person than I.
> Thanks.

Somehow coolant is is getting past the thermostat, the fact that it never warms
up, and the temperature falls off when you drive (airflow thru radiator) means
the thermostat isn't blocking the flow of coolant as it should.

Perhaps you have the wrong size of thermostat, or the thermostat housing is
corroded and letting a lot of coolant leak past the thermostat?

Lastly, it is not unknown to have three bad thermostats in a row!  

I had it happen to me on my '93 Aerostar.

Good luck.