After much in town driving today, and the truck ran for almost 3 hrs straight. The temperature gauge never even got close to the center of the temp. gauge. It was very cold here today (6 degrees), and the heat wasn't real hot, like my other 3 Fords tend to get. Would this be weather related or could it be a sign of the t-stat going?

 

IF the coolant level is alright replace the thermostat.

 

Yup, that sounds like a thermostat stuck open. Don't forget to replace the gasket @ the same time.

 

What they said. If coolant level and mixture is good, then replace t-stat. Sounds like it is not closing and the coolant is moving constantly instead of stopping every so often to cool the engine and getting hotter while doing this.

 

Thermostat stuck open. Replace thermostat and if you havent done so in a while, replace coolant as well.

 

It would be the thermostat if it takes a long time to warm up. That is the sure sign. Having temperatures that cold (outside) would make your truck run colder. For good piece of mind and a cheap fix the T stat would be a good place to start.

 

I think I have a similar problem. My temp guage does go up to the middle, but the heat isn't really that warm. It has been cold here too, around 15 minus windchill.

 

The temp guage on my 97 F-150 w/4.6 auto has never ran up to the middle of it's range. It may have come close back in the summer, outside temp of 95+...high humidity, AC running. For the most part, the needle stays at about 1/3 up....and the heater will run you out of the cab.

 

Pataoe1.....You prob sounds like either low coolant or a prob with your heater core. If you needle is going up, the the coolant is heating up, but the truck gets it's heat inside from the heater core when the heated fluid goes through it.

 

Know this might be stupid to some, but how do I check the coolant?

Is there some sort of full check a dealer can do to look for problems? You know how we go for physicals and crap is there something I can do for my truck?

The reason I ask is I have about 3,000 miles left on my warranty so if they could find anything wrong with anything, I would love for them to fix it for just my deductible.

 

Check the level in the coolant tank under the hood. The coolant level should be at least to the cold mark. Something else to check is when the temperature gauge indicates normal range feel the temperature of the heater hoses where they enter the cowl with your hand. If they are both hot the problem is inside, possibly with the blend door.

 

Question: Having no radiator cap how do I prevent air from getting into the system when I change my tstat? Or does it self bleed, through the reservoir?

 

When you drain the cooling system it will cause a air pocket somewhere. Most of the time it purge itself. Run the engine until the thermostat opens, top off the bottle, go for a test drive and hit passing gear a couple of times. Most of the air will pass through the system. Get back, top off the tank again and you should be good to go.