Running Hot!
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From: san antonio,texas
Running Hot!
I have a 83 f150 x-cab with 302,it runs fine, no overheating at all(then). today I changed thermostat out with a 195 superstat. the old one was a 197. now with the new thermo in, the guage goes almost all way to right(not H). before it ran less than halfway in "normal"area. could the new thermo be defective? or does the 302's need a special high flow thermo(old one)? I dont like her running hot.I also have a new temp sensor.
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From: Virginia
If you start the truck after sitting awhile(cold), you should be able to feel the top radiator hose and it will be cold. If you watch the gauge, when it starts to rise up, you should be able to feel the upper hose suddenly get warm, and if you have the radiator cap off, you will see the water flowing around in the radiator. If you see all this, that means the thermostat is working.
If that all checks out, I would put the old temp sensor back in, or take a look at the new one. If you put a lot of sealer or thread tape on the threads, that could be your problem.
If that all checks out, I would put the old temp sensor back in, or take a look at the new one. If you put a lot of sealer or thread tape on the threads, that could be your problem.
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From: san antonio,texas
Ok i'll try that. but i had the sensor in before this happened and with the old thermo, it ran cool. the guage did not start reading higher till i changed the thermo. old thermo-197/new thermo-195 superstat. I also thought of putting a thermometer in radiator and comparing it to guage as truck heats up. Thanks again
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From: Virginia
I also thought of putting a thermometer in radiator and comparing it to guage as truck heats up.
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
I'd go for a mechanical guage, over what the one on the dash is telling you.
I have both, and both differ.
There is a voltage regulator for the dash panel that needs to be replaced once in a while, and when your gauges on the dash start messing up, this is the likley culprit. I have yet to replace mine, but my fuel and heat gauge issues(in dash) are reason enough.
I have both, and both differ.
There is a voltage regulator for the dash panel that needs to be replaced once in a while, and when your gauges on the dash start messing up, this is the likley culprit. I have yet to replace mine, but my fuel and heat gauge issues(in dash) are reason enough.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Asheville, NC
I've never actually seen a bad regulator on our trucks. I HAVE seen bad ground connections between the engine and the cab shell. Check it out, clean the connections at both ends with sandpaper, and see what happens. Wont cost you anything, and can easily be your problem.
The ground is at the back of the intake manifold on the drivers side. If you have a six, I cant remember, its down low on the block on the same side. The other end is connected to the firewall right beside where the throttle cable comes out of the cab to the carb.
Check it, and clean it. If its corroded, replace it. Bad grounds run rampant on our trucks.
The ground is at the back of the intake manifold on the drivers side. If you have a six, I cant remember, its down low on the block on the same side. The other end is connected to the firewall right beside where the throttle cable comes out of the cab to the carb.
Check it, and clean it. If its corroded, replace it. Bad grounds run rampant on our trucks.
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I don't mean to be insulting but are you sure you installed the thermo in the right direction?
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From: san antonio,texas
thermometer test
Ok, I first put a meat thermometer in the radiator and started the truck. as the truck heated up,and the guage in cab started to rise past halfway,the meat thermometer only got up to 145. the cab guage reads almost at "H" even when i revit up with the fan roaring. when i shut it off the thermometer flies up to 190+,but as soon as it starts again, it goes down to 145. this to me shows that the pump and radiator are working(good flow).I dont even remember seeing a ground strap,but ill install one if needed.if that dont solve it,the next step is a temp sensor(not too expensive).the last resort is to get a lower thermostat.mabey a 180?the manufacture suggests 195 but i cant live seeing the guage almost pegged to the right. In my experience with other vehicles, when there was a legitimate overheating you have LOTS of heat and steam and blowing caps off etc, but this don't;so my guess is its not overheating,but an exterior problem. To reply to installing the thermo, Yes I know which way it goes(my very first thought). I'll keep investigating....Thanks yall!
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Originally Posted by fordlover302
I have a 83 f150 x-cab with 302,it runs fine, no overheating at all(then). today I changed thermostat out with a 195 superstat. the old one was a 197. now with the new thermo in, the guage goes almost all way to right(not H). before it ran less than halfway in "normal"area. could the new thermo be defective? or does the 302's need a special high flow thermo(old one)? I dont like her running hot.I also have a new temp sensor.
In your first post, you said at the end that you have a new temp sensor. My guess before you go to all this trouble is that yuou either have a bad new temp sensor or they gave you the wrong one.
Your gauge shouldn't have changed in the time you changed the thermostat and you have verified that you are not in fact overheating by your meat thermometer check.
IF I understood your first post correctly, you changed the temp sensor at the same time you did the thermostat and now are having this "hot" indication problem. I would take the sensor back and make sure it is the right one and that it isn't bad.
I haven't looked in ages and can't recall if it is in our Haynes book for our trucks or another one I worked on in the past but there are resistance checks you can do on them where you read the resistance in ohms as you submerge the temp sensor in different temperature water to see if it is operating correctly.
Good Luck,
Lee
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From: san antonio,texas
investigation continues.....
ok, Thanks for the info. I have the receipt on the thermostat,so ill try it. it'll cost nothing to try. if the same result, ill try the sensor replacement. i'll keep in touch. thanks again.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Ocala, Fl.
Since you'all are on the sub.....why is my 86 F150 overheating still after i replaced the water pump and also took out the thermostat.Seems water flow is good and the fan is turning but if i come to a stop and am idle it shoots up hot like there's no fan.
I'm scratching my head out here so i thought you guys could help.Bruce,Ocala ,FL.
I'm scratching my head out here so i thought you guys could help.Bruce,Ocala ,FL.
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Maybe the fan isn't working properly.
If you have the fan clutch, it may be shot so the fan is really just kinda freewheeling.
When you first start it up you should hear the air "roaring", after a while you'll hear nothing. That means the clutch is working properly.
A not-so-accurate method is to grab the fan blades (engine OFF, thank you), check for wobble and just kinda a limp feel....thats bad.
Or just go buy one...theyre pretty cheap. Then you know its done.
If you have the fan clutch, it may be shot so the fan is really just kinda freewheeling.
When you first start it up you should hear the air "roaring", after a while you'll hear nothing. That means the clutch is working properly.
A not-so-accurate method is to grab the fan blades (engine OFF, thank you), check for wobble and just kinda a limp feel....thats bad.
Or just go buy one...theyre pretty cheap. Then you know its done.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Here's your answer:
Why would you run without a thermostat? Believe it or not, no thermostat will cause the truck to overheat.
Originally Posted by sixgunkelly
and also took out the thermostat.