Lower radiator hose stays cool

[The Leakster]

Is this normal? While checking cooling system hoses, I noticed the lower radiator hose and bottom of radiator are cool to the touch (all other hoses hot). This after driving an eight mile trip with about 3.5 miles highway and seeing the water temp gauge reaching 195 then drop and maintain about 190. Over the last few weeks I've flushed the system, installed new heater core, new thermostat (spring facing into head), new water temp gauge with sender and of course coolant. When I squeeze bottom hose I can see movement in the radiator (fluid) but it doesn't feel like it has fluid in it. I've attempted burping the system, the reason I drove it was to get it hot. It idled for about 15 minutes and wouldn't quite get to 190 degrees then drop to about 160. Any Thoughts?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

When was the last time you had a 'rod-out' done on your radiator?
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Does it over heat? Until it does leave it alone. Drive it 10-20 miles then look at how hot it is.

Look at ......... do what Lumpy said.

 

[Barry2]

The water comes out of the lower hose cooler because the radiator has cooled it as it's supposed to.

 

[The Leakster]

No rod-out since I've owned it. I will try driving it farther and see what happens. It hasn't overheated, water temps get to 195 and drop to about 190. What I mean by the hose and bottom of radiator being cool, they are actually cold. Outside temps were in mid 40's when I noticed this.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

First-Don't trust a OEM factory gauge to be 'rite'.
Second-Do the rod-out.
That bottom hose should be to hot to hold if the water flow was good.
LG

 

[The Leakster]

Thats what I thought, thanks.