Temperature gauge.

[Devin Wright]

Keeping it simple, my temp gauge only goes to about the 25-30% mark, never to the 50% (middle) mark where for most cars it normally goes. I can tell it's getting hot enough for normal operating temperature just by coming out of the car, feeling the heat on the engine and hearing the "pop" noises a car makes when it's been running. Now, my heater core does not work, like, at all. When I try to turn on the heat, it almost sounds like my engine revs up, but the RPM's stay the same (guessing it's the fan's blowing really hard). No coolant leaks onto my floor board and nothing bad really happens. But, do you think that the heater core not working is something that could cause my temp gauge not to go to the middle/50% mark?

For those that want a visual representation, posted below I found a picture of a dash online, and I drew a red arrow pointing to a red dot on the temp gauge where the needle is going.

Picture: http://imgur.com/a/R0SKC

 

[GTMountain]

Heater core is probably plugged up (common issue). Could also be the blend door, actuator, or valve. The gauge not going up to normal is probably just the sensor going out of tolerance.
Why not give the whole cooling system a refresh? Flush the heater core, check blend door/actuator, replace valve, and super flush the whole system. $100. Cheap insurance.

 

[Devin Wright]

Could use a radiator flush. I'll probably take it to a mechanic and have him flush it. There is a REALLY good certified mechanic I know that owns a shop near me. He's also a good family friend. If I just take him the part he'll generally charge cheap for work/installation. I'll have him do a radiator flush, and have him check the rest of that other stuff and see what he says about it. That wound like a good idea to you?

 

[GTMountain]

If you're heater core is clogged the radiator flush wont clear it. It just bypasses the heater core. Have to address it directly. Also, could easily just be the blend door, actuator, or valve.

 

[koda2000]

Heater core is probably plugged up (common issue). Could also be the blend door, actuator, or valve. The gauge not going up to normal is probably just the sensor going out of tolerance.
Why not give the whole cooling system a refresh? Flush the heater core, check blend door/actuator, replace valve, and super flush the whole system. $100. Cheap insurance.

^
This - and of course replace your thermostat with a a new one with a 192-195 degree one. As for not getting any heat, my money is on a broken blend door, heater control valve or blend door actuator issue. Even at 25-30% showing on your TEMP gauge you should be getting good heat. I had a 2000 Mountaineer that the TEMP gauge barely moved off "C" and I still got some heat. My problem was a stuck open t-stat.

 

[Devin Wright]

I'ma just take it to a mechanic and have him look at it. When it comes to anything screwy like that I generally won't mess with it. Like, getting a heater core unclogged (if it is) is something I won't mess with. This is my only car, so I really don't wanna do anything crazy. Thing's like changing the oil and putting coolant in it, and other basic maintenance yeah I can do. And maybe some basic repairs I can figure out. But, anything like that, ehhh. I'll just leave that to my friend. Thank's for the advice though! Can definitely help me, help him in pinpointing the problem better, and make me sound a little smarter