Warm at the top cold at the bottom

[KMinAF]

Recently I replaced the radiator (had a hole in it) as well as the t-stat and upper rad hose. After 10 min of driving I noticed that the upper rad hose is hot as I would expect it to be as well as the heater hoses but the lower radiator hose is only luke warm. I felt the radiator and noticed that the area near the upper hose is the same temp as the hose but the area near the lower hose is cold. Temp gauge never goes past the halfway point, there are no leaks, the heater blows warm and I "burped" the system of any air pockets. The engine has only 3k on it and I replaced the water pump when I did the rebuild. With the engine idling there are no signs of BHG i.e. blow by through the coolant, raised oil level or condensation in the filler cap.

Since I had never performed these checks before I am not sure if this is normal. What do you think, normal or no?

 

[gottagofaster]

the lower hose should be cooler than the top hose since it just went through the radiator.

the temp gauge never should go past halfway.

Kurt

 

[jdub]

If your temp gauge is at the halfway point from an idle warm-up, I'd check to be sure that new T-stat is not sticking shut. Cut the jiggle valve off it while you're at it and make sure the hole is at 12 o'clock.

 

[sneakypete]

after 10 minutes of driving, shouldnt the radiator be extremely hot? i know mine is
also make sure that your thermostat is installed correctly. if its backwards... you will have a problem.
-pete

 

[Poodles]

What's the ambient temp? What speed where you driving?