engine temps
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: wichita kansas
engine temps
Hello all, my temp gauge wont get to opperating temp no more. It only makes it to half way between the cold mark and the n in normal. Does this mean that the thermostat is stuck open? If I need to get a new one, what is the temp its supposed to be at? I was reading something a while back about a 205* thermostat, is this stock?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,948
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From: SHELTON, WA
i think stock it is 192*. a lot of folks upgrade to a 203*.
is this just since the cold weather started? our trucks run cool in the winter. take it for a 20 minute hwy drive and see what it does.
is this just since the cold weather started? our trucks run cool in the winter. take it for a 20 minute hwy drive and see what it does.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,162
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From: Vilonia Arkansas
It was about 20 degrees when I left work last night and with my grill covered I just touched the N after 15 miles. I had it plugged in all night started it up and let it idle for about a half an hour before I left . It was a little past the N when I left but dropped even with the grill blocked.
Dave
Dave
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: SHELTON, WA
Originally Posted by 1996pwrstrk
It was about 20 degrees when I left work last night and with my grill covered I just touched the N after 15 miles. I had it plugged in all night started it up and let it idle for about a half an hour before I left . It was a little past the N when I left but dropped even with the grill blocked.
Dave
Dave
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Yep, you need a new thermostat. SOunds like it was warmer before you started it. When its -10 or colder , seems like idling longer than 10 min. is a waste of fuel as it wont get any warmer until you drive.
Right now all you guys in the mid west are getting our cold weather. Its been in the 40s up here in AK. Tshirt weather!!
Right now all you guys in the mid west are getting our cold weather. Its been in the 40s up here in AK. Tshirt weather!!
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Hey stroker, I have a 86 dually with a 6.9. It was my first diesel and it always ran cold in the winter. I put in a NAPA thermostat and it wasnt much different. Had to block the radiator completely at -30 and the temp was always goofy but I got by. Finally went to ford and got a Motorcraft thermostat. It has worked like a charm ever since. Even at -40. If you get one go OEM.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: wichita kansas
I tried the cardboard over 3/4 of the rad, speeds 60 to 75 mph for 45 miles,and the temp outside today was 60*. Never even reached the n in the normal. Going to replace thermostat and flush.
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Operating Temp
I have a 97 F-250 7.3 and it has always ran cold. I have replaced the water pump and put in a Napa thermostat and it still runs cool. It runs between the cold mark and the N most of the time even on 2 2 1/2 hr. hwy drives. Could the be affecting engine performance and fuel mileage? I only get about 13 to 14 mpg. all the time interstate or not. Any suggestions??
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Mine's the same, gauge is at the "N" no matter how far or how fast i drive, outside temps have been from 72 to 32. I still get avg. 20 mpg, though.
Also, I heard somewhere that one should not block the radiator partially, say 3/4, because the remaining airflow will be twisting your cooling fan unevenly especially at high speeds, resulting in waterpump bearing failure. Don't know if this is true in our engines.
Also, I heard somewhere that one should not block the radiator partially, say 3/4, because the remaining airflow will be twisting your cooling fan unevenly especially at high speeds, resulting in waterpump bearing failure. Don't know if this is true in our engines.
Last edited by PSD97; Dec 30, 2005 at 07:09 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by ksaundersjr
I have a 97 F-250 7.3 and it has always ran cold. I have replaced the water pump and put in a Napa thermostat and it still runs cool. It runs between the cold mark and the N most of the time even on 2 2 1/2 hr. hwy drives. Could the be affecting engine performance and fuel mileage? I only get about 13 to 14 mpg. all the time interstate or not. Any suggestions??
As far as the low mpg, that seems a little low, but this is also winter blend diesel fuel time, so it's not a good time to judge. The thermostat might help some. There are a lot of factors that go into mpg, I'd suggest doing a search on "mpg" on this forum and the 99-03 forum. You'll probably get tons of reading.
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From: THUNDER BAY
941/2 stroker does your truck blow heat or cold air? could be just the gauge just a thought my 96 always runs at between zilch and n lets face it the stock gauges on our trucks are really just dummy lights maybe try hooking up a true coolant gauge just to be sertan W.S