Ok this is what I have done. I replaced heater core with one at advance auto because of leakage. Replaced thermostat with a genuine honda one.(noted opening is at 176 degrees) 78 degrees C on the stat. Water pump is new advance auto one. I did note that the pump I installed had the sheet metal type impellor. Not sure if the factory ones have a cast iron impellor or not. My temp guage never gets to a half. It barely touches the bottom of the temp thermometer symbol. Any one have a good mod that worked? Hotter thermostat could work but Im not sure thats a good idea for the engine itself. (these engines arent cast iron) I dont know if one is available or not. Heater valve is adjusted and seems to move freely and work. I felt the heater hoses one was hot, other was not as hot. Core cant be plugged.......its brand new. I have flushed the engine before due to poor previous owner maintenance.

 

ok there are hotter thermostats available. Question is....would a 195 degree one hurt the engine?

 

did u replace the hoses, that should be done first b/c they could be clogged, make sure u have sufficient coolant 50/50 mix, to much antifreeze will cause bad heater performance, and make sure the system has benn bleed, and no air is in it. Also u say its the guage, check the sensor, make sure its not defective, or its wiring isnt defective. then if all this is good, might be ur guage or worse, pcm.

 

well I replaced all the hoses with 5/8 red hose. not the cheap kinky stuff. As far as the mixture it was too thick, found my tester and diluted it. I also put in the 195 degree thermostat adn holy crap......I have heat.....I just wonder why honda put such a low factory opening thermostat in........170???
Ok I have some heat now, a lot better than It was. We will see what else I can do. I tested the antifreeze 2 hours ago when it cooled and it pegged the prestone tester floater inside.......oops.......supposed to be 50 50 mix I know. Now the mix is down to neg 34... poor thing probably had hot spots in the engine. Clogged hoses wow, I have never seen that.........time to test guage for proper operation.

 

so u get better heat with the 195degree thermostat?? i'm running a new honda thermostat and the heat is kinda weak..on really cold day, seem like i have to wait forever for the heat to get really hot..that's what i want, really hot..

 

try a coolant back flush.