Dash temp reading wrong?
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Dash temp reading wrong?
Hi. I was workin on my friends 7.3 idi today doing a thermostat switch for him. His gauge on the dash wouldn't even get past the N on normal since it got cold out! Well after pulling the stat out I noticed that the wrong stat was in. Looked like a 95 powerstroke stat to me. Short stem and didnt look anything close to the new one I bought so I went to advanced auto and he thought the old stat was wrong also. And we double checked to make sure he gave me the right one. Anyways. Where does your guys temp usually sit at on the normal mark? Is it ok that it's that low for him? And after I got the truck back together the heat worked better than it ever has. We didnt get to drive it to build up more temps since I'm redoing all tie rods also. I just want to know what you guys think so I can watch this. Unless his coolant temp sensor for the gauge is bad or poor connection? Thanks for any advice. Also any advice on these brakes?! We replaced everything. The whole brake system is brand new. I was told to pull the spring out of the proportioning valve then bleed it all again and try that. Still have to bleed them again but any ideas?! The pedal goes to the floor now but before it went to the floor and still stopped you atleast....
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Co
Temp wise the factory gauge is worthless replace it with a real aftermarket gauge, as far as the brakes if its going straight to the floor either the rears arent adjusted right or more likley youve got air in the lines.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,101
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From: Poway, CA
FYI, there are a lot of folks out there that would tell you to only run an OEM Motorcraft thermostat in a IDI. The reasons vary, but you may want to look into it.
The gauge on the dash is definitely worthless. I just installed a digital Autometer temp gauge, and the correlation between the two is a joke. The needle on the gauge in the dash doesn't start moving until you're almost up to temp, and then it'll jump all over the place for what really amounts to a couple degrees difference. I was worried that the seemingly excess fluctuation of my dash gauge after I installed an aftermarket (Champion) radiator was evidence that the new radiator wasn't cutting it, but now that I have the aftermarket gauge, I know this isn't the case.
Mike
The gauge on the dash is definitely worthless. I just installed a digital Autometer temp gauge, and the correlation between the two is a joke. The needle on the gauge in the dash doesn't start moving until you're almost up to temp, and then it'll jump all over the place for what really amounts to a couple degrees difference. I was worried that the seemingly excess fluctuation of my dash gauge after I installed an aftermarket (Champion) radiator was evidence that the new radiator wasn't cutting it, but now that I have the aftermarket gauge, I know this isn't the case.
Mike
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I have read the same thing about OEM stats only for that truck. I told him about it before I did the swap and he didnt have the money. He has a lot of money wrapped up in this truck and a job cutting hours so I'm trying to make this thing work. I should have known the gauge was junk because my 02 powerstroke is off my a lot! Thanks for the help guys ill let you know how these brakes go.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2011
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I've only owned my 86 f250 6.9 for 2 months and noticed the temp gauge barely moves. I went to Car Crest and got a 192* thermo, I installed it and the gauge moved slightly more. Then I posted the question on this forum, conclusion is use only Motorcraft. So I ordered one from rockauto. I put all 3 in a shallow cooking pot, they were all 192* thermos. The oldest one began to open at 170*, the new one from Car Crest began to open at 180* and the Motorcraft began to open at 192*. With the Motorcraft thermo, the gauge does go to the letter N on the gauge.
carry on and keep up the good work, thanks nick c
carry on and keep up the good work, thanks nick c
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 17
Nothing wrong with the stock gauges. They may not give you an actual number, but they tell you the status of your engine and when something is acting up/not working right. So they do what they are designed to do.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,581
Likes: 5,613
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
having a lot ov money in the truck, cutting corners by putting a cheap aftermarket t-stat in to save a few pennys is like putting gas in the fuel tank because it is cheaper.
it is not a matter of if it will screw the engine up, it a matter of when it will fail to open and overheat it doing unrepairable damage.
throw that aftermarket t-stat in the garbage and put one from ford or international in there.
it is not a matter of if it will screw the engine up, it a matter of when it will fail to open and overheat it doing unrepairable damage.
throw that aftermarket t-stat in the garbage and put one from ford or international in there.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Heres why for anyone wondering why it's important to use only Motorcraft IH thermostat in these engines.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11218904
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11218904
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That's what I was afraid of with that cheap stat!!! That's it. Tomorrow it goes in for the alignment. I'm ordering the right stat and ending this headache. He has dumped a fortune in this truck and took a shortcut at the stat..... We nicknamed this truck "the curse" because stuff kept breaking right after another. Ill get that stat out of there. Thanks a lot guys. By the way the brakes are great now! I think the curse is coming to an end. Thanks again.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,389
Likes: 849
From: Mi'kma'ki
bad memories Festus.brand new to you truck.we all felt sick about that one for you.
20power,
RT1049 on the t-stat.good luck with the curse.im still saying a few prayers and sprinkling the holy water.
20power,
RT1049 on the t-stat.good luck with the curse.im still saying a few prayers and sprinkling the holy water.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
I wish I could accept that as an excuse ... I cannot!
Looking back it may have been the good lord looking over my shoulder, I was too tired to be driving.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Looking back it may have been the good lord looking over my shoulder, I was too tired to be driving.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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