Thermostat Stuck? 86 F-250 w/ 351W HO
#1
Thermostat Stuck? 86 F-250 w/ 351W HO
I have a 86 F-250 w/ 351W HO. All stock. I noticed that the temp guage in the truck never seems move from the cold position. I checked all of the wiring from the unit up to the temp sensor. The coolant level is good. Heat s warm, but not hot (I have the non AC High Output heater). When I squeeze the large radiator hose coming from the where the thermostat is to the radiator, it is hot, but I can squeeze it closed, which leads me to believe no coolant is flowing. This is after the truck has been idling for atleast 5 minutes.
Is this a sign of a stuck thermostat? If so, what should a replace it with (temp wise?) Ot could this be a water pump issue?
As always, thanks for the help.
Coneynew
Is this a sign of a stuck thermostat? If so, what should a replace it with (temp wise?) Ot could this be a water pump issue?
As always, thanks for the help.
Coneynew
#2
Well, as far a s I remember, for that uear the stock was 180ºF BUT Ford did replace it for all engines/years to 195ºF. It is supossed to give better emmisions and AC Heater performance. It also leads to more engine wear, oil evaporation and degradation on SAE 40 or SAE 50 oils.
I live in Venezuela, tropical country, in my area we never had temperatures under 80ºF so I preffer 180ºF, more over I never use heater...
I live in Venezuela, tropical country, in my area we never had temperatures under 80ºF so I preffer 180ºF, more over I never use heater...
#3
#4
Thanks. I also want to make sure nothing is wrong w/ the water pump. No strange noises coming from it, but when I bought the truck from my employer, it had been sitting for about 6 months. It starts and drives fine. I did add a new fuel tank, and will have new brakes lines (maybe more - since it will probably need new calipars, etc.)and exhaust put on. It is a shame, this truck only has 33k miles on it. The power steering pump is making some noise, but not the squealing you would here from when the fluid is low.
I will put a new thermostat/gasket this weekend (195 degree). All of the hoses seem fine.
I will put a new thermostat/gasket this weekend (195 degree). All of the hoses seem fine.
#5
Originally Posted by Coneynew
Thanks. I also want to make sure nothing is wrong w/ the water pump. No strange noises coming from it, but when I bought the truck from my employer, it had been sitting for about 6 months. It starts and drives fine. I did add a new fuel tank, and will have new brakes lines (maybe more - since it will probably need new calipars, etc.)and exhaust put on. It is a shame, this truck only has 33k miles on it. The power steering pump is making some noise, but not the squealing you would here from when the fluid is low.
I will put a new thermostat/gasket this weekend (195 degree). All of the hoses seem fine.
I will put a new thermostat/gasket this weekend (195 degree). All of the hoses seem fine.
#6
Well, learned a couple of things today while changing the thermostat.
1) The noise the power sterring pump was making was from the belt being loose. I adjusted the power steering pump on the bracket and all works great and no more sound. By tightening the the PS pump, it now also turned the water pump. I probably did not even need the new thermostat (195 degrees), but I put it on w/ a new gasket anyway.
2) When I disconnected the balck rubber vacuum thing (have 4 plastic vacuum lines (black, red, green, whiite - top to bottom) from the pices that sticks out from the thermostat housing, they broke off! They were so brittle - I like my 85 better bescuse it seems to have all color coded rubber vacuum lines, not those small colored plastic ones. They truck still starts and runs, but I will need to run new vacuum lines.
Where do you get those small plastic vacuum lines? I'd rather just use the rubber ones. Thank god the decal is still easily readable, so I know where they go atleast.
1) The noise the power sterring pump was making was from the belt being loose. I adjusted the power steering pump on the bracket and all works great and no more sound. By tightening the the PS pump, it now also turned the water pump. I probably did not even need the new thermostat (195 degrees), but I put it on w/ a new gasket anyway.
2) When I disconnected the balck rubber vacuum thing (have 4 plastic vacuum lines (black, red, green, whiite - top to bottom) from the pices that sticks out from the thermostat housing, they broke off! They were so brittle - I like my 85 better bescuse it seems to have all color coded rubber vacuum lines, not those small colored plastic ones. They truck still starts and runs, but I will need to run new vacuum lines.
Where do you get those small plastic vacuum lines? I'd rather just use the rubber ones. Thank god the decal is still easily readable, so I know where they go atleast.
#7
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#9
Thanks - Since there are som many of them (small plastic ones), I am assuming they used those for space concerns. There are atleast 5 running across the intake manifold on the driver's side. I can't imagine 5 or more more of the larger rubber vacuum lines together. I just need to know if I can push the plastic vacuum line (where it broke) into the the new rubber hose, or just trace them out and start new.
#10
#11
Evening all. Crashed my pc, but good to finally be back. Anyhooo, to the matter at hand.
Coneynew - I'm sure you've likely already fixed the problem as I'm a bit behind in the posts, but ... just in case.
I've got an `85 f-150, also with the 351W and came across the same trouble with the thermostat, etc. After replacing the seized thermostat, my temp gauge was still dead, so I ended up changing out the temp. sending unit and all was fine.
All I need to do now is get the voltage gauge working ... hehe
Ciao ... Jeff
Coneynew - I'm sure you've likely already fixed the problem as I'm a bit behind in the posts, but ... just in case.
I've got an `85 f-150, also with the 351W and came across the same trouble with the thermostat, etc. After replacing the seized thermostat, my temp gauge was still dead, so I ended up changing out the temp. sending unit and all was fine.
All I need to do now is get the voltage gauge working ... hehe
Ciao ... Jeff
#12
The vacuum tree on the Therm housing is fine, the plastic vacuum lines broke about 1/2 inch from the rubber adapter that holds (4) lines, topr to bottom, Black, Red, Green, White). I picked up some vacuum hose, so I will be putting that on this weekend. I'll check the water temp sending unit and replace if necessary.
#13
Originally Posted by Stoogefan
Evening all. Crashed my pc, but good to finally be back. Anyhooo, to the matter at hand.
Coneynew - I'm sure you've likely already fixed the problem as I'm a bit behind in the posts, but ... just in case.
I've got an `85 f-150, also with the 351W and came across the same trouble with the thermostat, etc. After replacing the seized thermostat, my temp gauge was still dead, so I ended up changing out the temp. sending unit and all was fine.
All I need to do now is get the voltage gauge working ... hehe
Ciao ... Jeff
Coneynew - I'm sure you've likely already fixed the problem as I'm a bit behind in the posts, but ... just in case.
I've got an `85 f-150, also with the 351W and came across the same trouble with the thermostat, etc. After replacing the seized thermostat, my temp gauge was still dead, so I ended up changing out the temp. sending unit and all was fine.
All I need to do now is get the voltage gauge working ... hehe
Ciao ... Jeff
#14