Dash temperature gauge
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Dash temperature gauge
What does yours read when cruising down the highway? When I first bought this truck with 158k miles it set between the 'r' and the 'm' on normal. The truck now has 223k. Over the miles it has slowly crept up to where it now sets over the 'm' all the time and even eases up to near the 'a' sometimes. I guess my main question is, should I be concerned?
I'm assuming this is coolant temperature, and I was also wondering where in the cooling system the sensor is located.
I see people make references to certain temps their trucks run such as 210 degrees. This is an aftermarket gauge? Where does the sensor connect in to the cooling system to get this reading with an aftermarket gauge? I'd like to get one. Any answers or suggestions are much appreciated.
I'm assuming this is coolant temperature, and I was also wondering where in the cooling system the sensor is located.
I see people make references to certain temps their trucks run such as 210 degrees. This is an aftermarket gauge? Where does the sensor connect in to the cooling system to get this reading with an aftermarket gauge? I'd like to get one. Any answers or suggestions are much appreciated.
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I flushed it and added SCA back in around 2 years ago. Although I did not remove all the plugs on the engine if I remember right.
I've noticed most of the fins on the AC system cooler which is in front of the radiator are mashed flat, but seems to me this would not restrict things too bad for the radiator since there is a space between the two.
So I guess most would say it is running a little hot compared to theirs? I guess I need to get a gauge that reads the actual temp.
I've noticed most of the fins on the AC system cooler which is in front of the radiator are mashed flat, but seems to me this would not restrict things too bad for the radiator since there is a space between the two.
So I guess most would say it is running a little hot compared to theirs? I guess I need to get a gauge that reads the actual temp.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
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From: Orrville, Ohio
That's a little on the warm side. Mine typically runs somewhere between the O and R. It might be time for a new thermostat. If the fins on the A/C condenser are flattened that will restrict the flow of air through the radiator, but if they have been that way the whole time you have had the truck, I don't see why that would cause a problem now where as it didn't before. My guess is that the thermostat is dying a slow death.
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I remember when I bought the truck the guy told me that I needed either a long stem or short stem thermostat if I replaced it. Seemed he took real good care of it, even wrote me a list of parts and stuff and at what mileage I need to do what. I've continued keeping it well maintained, but I don't remember which thermostat he said I should get or what the reason was for getting one or the other. Do they open up at different temps or something? Thanks for the help.
The flattened fins on the AC condensor are probably mostly my fault so that could be partly to blame.
The flattened fins on the AC condensor are probably mostly my fault so that could be partly to blame.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
That thing is the biggest liar there is.
When I put my new pump in, I cleaned the sensor and it looked like it was running hot for a week, then it started reading something different.
It's just a way to see if things are going out of the ordinary or not.
When I put my new pump in, I cleaned the sensor and it looked like it was running hot for a week, then it started reading something different.
It's just a way to see if things are going out of the ordinary or not.
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Yeah I considered that it may just be my gauge is acting goofy. We'll see when I get this new thermostat in there. I can tell when the one in there now opens up cause the needle will drop just a bit and that was usually just as it got up to the 'a'. I suppose if it does the same thing after I get the new one in then it's probably just my gauge is reading high.