I have a 1992 ford Explorer xlt with at 4.0 eng. I bought it used last July. The temp gauge creeps around from the N in normal to the L it never over heats. I replaced the heater core, old one was plugged and have flushed and bleed the cooling system twice. Its not losing fulid. It never seems to get as hot inside as my 88 Bronco II. I don't seem to find a blend door like the one I see mentioned on posts. Also the A/c is unhooked. The thermostat has been replaced also. Now I have a new water pump sitting on the bench. I am thinking about putting it in along with a new premuim thermostat. Any ideas on what might be going on with the temp. Also the gauge sender is brand new. I drove around the other day with a meter hooked up and the voltages went from 6.25 vdc cold to around 2.50 vdc going to the gauge. The volt meter went down and up along with the needle on the guage. So I think I can rule out the gauge. Car runs fine. So I do have heat inside, not as hot as my bronco, it will drive you out, and the gauge moves up and down and never finds a "spot" to hang around. Winter is knocking at the door. I have been reading posts till I am blue. Any ideas / thoughts/ suggestions??

 

I was having a problem with heat in my '94. Went through a couple of thermostats, installed by Ford, that never remedied the problem. It was warm, but never got hot. One Sunday, was driving around and was barely getting any heat. Ford service wasn't open so went to the nearest Canadian Tire Store service center. They replaced the t-stat with one of their own. 197 degree one if that helps you. Never had better heat. I used to use a "cold front" cover. Don't need to anymore.

 

Well, we had a warm day yesterday here in upstate NY. So I installed the water pump and a 205 deg. thermostat. Took the Explorer to work last nite. Heat seems, better but, still not like the Bronco II. Maybe its just the interior volume size that is throwing my perseption of slow and poor heat. The guage now roams from "o" in normal to the "l" but seems to do it only when I am out on the road. Sitting still, it hangs longer in the same place. The pump showed no physical troubles, so I now have a brand new used one on the shelf in the garage.
I think the 205 deg thermostat was an inmprovement, I ll know when the really cold days arrive soon. I can drive knowing the pump is not going to bite the dust in the middle of some frozen nite in January. Looks like its just an explorer characteristic thing. I hope. Thanks