It's probably a subject that has been flogged more than the Fast and Furious series, but I'm having heat issues. 4 thermostats replaced, 2 water pumps, heater core flushed thrice, radiator and engine flushed. System has been burped umpteen times. Only replaced the mechanical clutch once.

Temp gauge never reaches operating temp, el cheapo infrared gun says the temp on the thermostat housing is around 200°. Am I missing something here? I've debated removing the heater control valve, but then I either have an oven or a freezer with no in between options, assuming the heat starts working and the dash gauge is faulty.

For what it's worth, this is a moderately modified Jeep I want to use for overlanding, but I posted in stock tech because this has been an ongoing theme since I bought the Jeep in stock form.
TIA,
Brian "Spawn XJ"

 

210 is operating temperature so it's possible that your el cheapo is slightly off. Your temperature sensors could also be giving a slightly off reading or even a bit of corrosion on a connector could make your dash gauge read lower than it should. I'm not saying there's nothing wrong but it is possible that your gauge is reading wrong.

Your HCV won't leave you with an oven or a freezer, when you select anything but full cold is should open fully giving full coolant flow to the heater core. Your heat is controlled by a blend flap that directs air fully or partially through (heat) the heater core or bypasses it (cold). It is possible that it is gunked up and cannot open fully. My RHD doesn't even have one from factory, not sure why (as shown below) it's only in the LHDs. Later XJ's just don't have then at all.

In short, removing it just keeps coolant flowing through the core at all times and does not affect how the heat is selected.

 

After getting rid of the HCV (or before getting rid of it) check that the cable down at the passenger floor is fully opening and closing the blend door. The clip on my cable was gone so the temp of my air would vary.

 

The HCV should be deleted. It does not control anything, really. Your blend door does. I doubt it's an overstatement to say that thousands have removed their HCV an are very happy. One piece of 3/4" hose, one piece of 5/8" hose and 4 new clamps. Oh, and remember to plug the vacuum line. Done.


After all you have already done, I think you are left with two possible problems:

1. The heater core is partially plugged and flushing it again isn't going to help. It needs to be replaced.
2. Your blend door is not working correctly.

 

So I went ahead and deleted the vacuum controlled valve, getting about 115° heat at the vents. It's technically fixed now, I think anyway. Thanks guys for the responses!!!

 

I will have to check into this. I flushed my coolant (turns out it was mostly water) but the heat is still just... "breath" warm. I can run it full bast all the way to work and it makes it comfortable but not sweltering.