Temperature
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19
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From: Seattle,WA
Temperature
I just purchased a 92 Bronco. I noticed it was running cool, so I replaced the thermostat. I was wondering where the gauge should be??? It's been fluxuating between half way on the dial to maybe 2/3rds. L of the normal at the hottest. If anyone owns a similiar year let me know how yours reads I would appreciate it. I dont want to run it to hot...and is the gauge pulsing normal?? Thanks for any comments. Laters.......
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Longview, TX
Congratulations on your purchase. I removed the stock oil and temp sensors and installed good mechanical guages under the ash tray. Ford oil guages work like an idiot light. The temp guage is a little better but a mechanical will show the temp variations while driving as the thermostat cycles. Normal for mine is 195-205 degrees.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Every gauge is different, it seems. New t-stat and a flush in my 90 Bronco and it barely makes it over the 'O'. If it starts climbing up past there, then it's starting to get too warm, at least to me.
Every Ford truck I've had and the temp gauge is always on the N or the O.
Every Ford truck I've had and the temp gauge is always on the N or the O.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 124
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From: Gaithersburg,MD
The fluctuation is most likely being caused by air in the system. I had the same thing happen to me after flushing my radiator. The air purged iteslf out after a couple of days and the pressure guage stabilized....
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Broken Arrow
don’t think I have ever heard anyone say there engine was running to cool. I might have had a performance T-stat in it, mine opens at 110°F and the only time my gauge gets even close to center is during our 100°+ summers while the A/C is running on max
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Yes, there is absolutely a thing as running too cool. If your engine doesn't get up to proper operating temp, then what will happen is incomplete combustion will occur, and lots of black carbon will be produced. This will clog your exhaust and your EGR system. You will also have worse gas mileage.
Yes, I know this from experience. My 1989 F-150 had a rusty, stuck-open thermostat in it, and the exhaust and EGR were plugged up.
Yes, I know this from experience. My 1989 F-150 had a rusty, stuck-open thermostat in it, and the exhaust and EGR were plugged up.
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Senior User
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From: Broken Arrow
Ok i will give you that. Not really a problem here even with no t-stat the engine will stay warm(know a few people who got sick of changing t-stats and just removed them) but 1/3 - 3/8 up the gauge should be plenty of heat to properly run, Right?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
With no thermostat it's even worse. You can actually overheat the engine because the thermostat also acts as a flow restrictor to the radiator. With no stat in place, coolant can actually start flowing too quickly and not enough heat will have dissapated through the radiator by the time the water pump picks it back up again.
This usually only happens with cooling systems that have been poorly maintained, the rad is a little plugged up already, or the truck is not moving fast enough or the truck is under heavy load.
Even forgetting about all that, no t-stat under most circumstances means the engine is not getting up to the proper temp and it will cause problems like the ones I mentioned.
*All* Broncos and F-series of this vintage should have a 195 degree t-stat installed.
Edit: Yes, I realize that this sounds contradictory - but what I'm saying is that without a t-stat, there is no way to control the coolant temp. It will either be too cool (most of the time) or overheat (not as common, but I have heard of it happening.) With a t-stat, the termperature will be much more uniform.
This usually only happens with cooling systems that have been poorly maintained, the rad is a little plugged up already, or the truck is not moving fast enough or the truck is under heavy load.
Even forgetting about all that, no t-stat under most circumstances means the engine is not getting up to the proper temp and it will cause problems like the ones I mentioned.
*All* Broncos and F-series of this vintage should have a 195 degree t-stat installed.
Edit: Yes, I realize that this sounds contradictory - but what I'm saying is that without a t-stat, there is no way to control the coolant temp. It will either be too cool (most of the time) or overheat (not as common, but I have heard of it happening.) With a t-stat, the termperature will be much more uniform.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Broken Arrow
I never said that not having a t-stat was a good idea I just said I know a few people who are running it that way. i guess i just got off on a side note my real question was about the gauge. 1/3 - 3/8 up the gauge should be plenty of heat to properly run, Right?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
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From: St Louis
The gauge is little better than a dummy light. As long as the ECT reads that the engine is in the normal operation range then the computer is happy. If the ECT is below normal the computer may add more fuel or do whatever is necessary to warm the engine up. Too hot, and you may be running with the EGR permenantly open to cool the block back off.
So, if your engine is running too warm then you may need a larger radiator to help disappate the heat. A good Cooling system flush to get rid of rust and scale out of the system helps too. Conversely, the winter trick of reducing the air flow through the radiator does help in a cold natured vehicle, but I recommend the appropriate thermostat.
So, if your engine is running too warm then you may need a larger radiator to help disappate the heat. A good Cooling system flush to get rid of rust and scale out of the system helps too. Conversely, the winter trick of reducing the air flow through the radiator does help in a cold natured vehicle, but I recommend the appropriate thermostat.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,563
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From: Swansea SC
Ill agree with alx.and ive had problems in that area as many other have. For many years my f-150 would get near hot in humid near 100degree weather. Many replies i had heard were nature of the beast etc.(not accpetable)Over the years i changed the radiator many thermostats,even took thermo out in summer doing some what better but (still not accpetablein my book) So electric fans hit the marlket and i pondered getting one.Wow costly and many were not thrilled by them, and i still though the original equipt has to be better regardless.So the past summer after replacing my hoses compresso r evaporator etc and after refilling the system i accidentially touched the fan to where she came to a complete stop and presto. For many years that fan has worked but the new one i installed made a 90% difference in cooling and i may not have to take my thermo out ever again .truck turned 22 this past sept 438000 miles and the original power plant still rules TR
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19
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From: Seattle,WA
Well I appreciate all the feedback. I put a thermostat in from Napa. When I pulled mine out I saw it had a little weep hole in it. The napa didn't so I was going to go to Ford and buy the motorcraft and try that one. The fluxuations I've been having just seem odd to me. I've tried running it with the cap off. Ive tried running it then cracking the cap. Thinking I have air in the system...Shouldn't the air purge itself??? Is air in the system Dangerous??? Am I over reacting to the gauge moving up and down somewhat??? These are questions I've been pondering...
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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RedRooster, I don't own my Ford Bronco anymore, but before i traded it i replaced the thermostat, radiator, heater core, and all the heater hoses. This caused my Temp gauge to read odd also, it read half-way between 0-and -N on NORMAL. Well i over heated once since i did all that, and then it red a notch to the left of the N on NORMAL. Then pulling large grades or hills, it read between the N and the O, then it would go back down, BUT NEVER OVERHEATED OR HAD A PROBLEM SINCE! I traded it for a 74' Ford F-100, so hope it helps!!
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 250
Likes: 11
Ha ha. So when I have a problem with my vehicle I should just trade it for another? Anyways What coolant mixture are you running. Also I would squeeze your upper radiator hose with the radiator cap off to see if it has any air in it. If there is any air it will escape to the radiator and come out of the radiator cap. Anyways, I would say it's either a bad sending unit, air in the system, or your clutch for the fan is locking up. The clutch fan will spin reall fast if your clutch isn't slipping at all. A fan spinning at engine revs is not a good thing at all. Just an idea. Also the one with the weephole that ford uses is called a failsafe thermostat. If you go to a parts house they usually have two or three thermostats for one vehicle. They will have a standard thermostat, a failsafe thermostat, and a premium stat. Don't ask me what "premium" means cause I don't know, but I do know the failsafe one has the weep hole. Anyways hope this helps.