I drove to work today, about 13 minutes. Got out and checked hoses (don't ask) and noticed the lower radiator hose up to the top of tstat was cold while the upper to tstat was pretty warm. Normal?

 

Since the current outside temperature is in the mid-20's in lower Ohio at the moment I would suggest that a cool output side of the radiator would be sorta expected.

 

Probably not, Mine comes to temp in 5 mins at idle. Sounds like Tstat

 

My engine comes to operating temp in less than a mile but the coolant circulation through the radiator is another subject. The water pump circulates the coolant only through the radiator until the thermostat opens and only then does the radiator temp rise. Twenty-five degree air across the radiator while driving will suck all the heat out pretty quick. Idling with no air circulation across the radiator is even another subject.

 

The car is getting good heat, the car warms up on the gauge in the car as fast as it has for as long as I have had it, even have had it on the TORQUE app and the temps looked fine there. Tstat is new. I was just surprised after 15 min drive or so the hose was cool to the touch, it was pressured up, could not squeeze it with out effort.