I have a quick question...when my tracker is running, atleast during these winter months, it NEVER gets above the cold mark on the temp gauge. Hell, it BARELY even moves. I figured my thermostat has probably gone bad and its just stuck open, however my buddy said his tracker has been that way ever since he had it. It gets warm, but nothing major...I mean it warms up JUST enough to keep the windows defogged, but as soon as I get on the highway, they frost right back up. Is this just because these motors are so small and can't really warm up when the temps are in the 20 degree range? During the Summer/fall months it seems to run and warm up just fine...thats why it makes me wonder...

Oh yeah...for the record, I woke up this morning to -13 temp and -32 windchill    lol and the Tracker's battery is dead...atleast my truck still starts tho 

Well, I have a similar problem with my tracker, doesn't sound as extreme, my temp gauge reads a pretty standard operating temp, but my heat is pretty week.  On the other hand, the heat in my brother's tracker cranks so hot, that you'd consider taking the top down in the winter.  So I don't think it's a matter of the trackers not being capable of producing the temperatures required to provide ample heat. 

I think your theory on the thermostat sounds like a possibility, but there's got to be other noticeable symptoms that would indicate a stuck thermostat, but I don't know what they are.

I had the same problem recently, kick would warm up if left idling, but get up to speed and the temp gauge would go back to the basement. I replaced the thermostat and the problem went away. Today started off in the 20's, warmed up to 38 tho. WIndy today too, gusting to 17mph.

Check that the terminals on the temp sensor (by the t-stat) are clean. I had dirty water get in mine and make the gauge drop do zero under throttle(I think from vibration).  Also make sure there are no air bubbles in the cooling system as they may throw off the sensor(and the heat).

also what we do to my dads semi is we put a piece of cardboard with wholes in front of the intercooler and it helps the truck run warmer in the winter

so... -40 outside over the last couple weeks... been thinking of putting some cardboard infront of the rad to try and keep it a bit warmer (5 minute drive to work in the morning, quick jump on the highway, guage gets just just moving when it gets on the highway and drops back down until i get back off... then warms up nicely after. (gets warmed up by when i get to my works parking lot)

but my problem is 80-90 in the diffs, trans and transfer case... trans doesnt like to shift in the morning...

you need to fluch the heater cores both ways to get all the crap out.  sounds like youre do for a coolant flush and thermostat anyways.  the board in front of the rad does help, I had the gauge actually drop off on the highway before in the sub zero *F temps.

Friggin,

I feel your pain. I spent a whole weekend flushing, cleaning, replacing stuff only to have heat for about 5 miles into a 57 mile commute. At -12 F, my schnutts were frozen to the seat. I am going to reverse the heater hoses to see if I can loosen up whatever may be clogging the heater core and get some heat. I may have to start driving my trail rig to work. No top but a hell of a heater. I would rather build a fire in the passenger seat than remove the heater core.

Junkman

Have you looked at putting in an after market seat heater?

try blocking that rad man it will work just have to make sure you dont block that much

just move to a warmer climate.  79 here today

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't been able to respond lately...have a hard time getting online recently. Anyways, Yeah actually thought about putting some cardboard or like an older rubber floormat or something in front of the radiator. I already flushed the system about 2 months ago...just changed the thermostat this past weekend and it helped some, but not enough lol. Just like others, it'll warm up but as soon as you get moving and the wind hits the radiator, she cools right back down...so somehow or another I gotta block some of the from hitting the radiator.

I would move to a warmer climate, but Im in the middle of school and trying to pay a few things off so im kinda stuck...lol but I plan on moving eventually.

Atleast its in the 20's today...so its not as bad as it was 

I wonder if you could have a vent setup that would allow you to adjust the airflow into the radiator from the cab...

I've been jamming cardboard infront of my radiator on the tracker for years.  I did it on my 94 back in the 90's and to my recent 95 for the last few years.  Works like a charm.

It doesn't matter if you block the whole length of the grille/radiator the engine bay of track kicks are plenty drafty.  And i use a wax covered cardboard I got from a local restaurant that comes with their lettuce shipments.  The wax is better because it's more weather proof.  Mine covers pretty much the entire radiator and front end and it runs great.  Trips from Detroit to Chicago in 18 or lower degree weather with no problems.  I actually highly suggest this...I got the idea for seeing semi trucks as someone said before.  It really works.

I think you were right the engine has a hard time warming up because the bay is not sealed or insulated as well as conventional cars.  It's VERY drafty, and that may make it run great in the summer but it's too much cold air in there in the winter.

I wonder if you could have a vent setup that would allow you to adjust the airflow into the radiator from the cab...

That's not a bad idea, you could use a manual choke cable from the parts store and the shutters from a body shop exhaust fan.