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I was wondering what everyones temperature gauge reads that has a 203 stat. I just installed mine and my stock gauge reads between the "R" and the "M". is this where it should be?
Probably .. I still have the stock stat and it seldom gets above the "O". If it went up a char or two after the install then it is probably working as designed.
On a stock temp gauge everyone's will be different. On the stock set up, the temp sender sends a signal to the PCM, which decides what signal to send to the gauge, so it's not a true gauge, same with oil pressure. To get a true reading you need an after market gauge.
This has been a pet peeve for me for a long time. True, the water temp guage is just an indicator .. "N-O-R-M-A-L", with no degree scale. However the temp sender is nothing more than an thermister as is any other aftermarket product. The guage is very accurate but does not display in degrees. PCM has nothing to do with the temp guage, it could care less.
I just put one in and have only driven it for ten miles. The thing is, I'm a gauge nut. I have a 'extra' gauge' and when I hear this talk about the so called stock gauge being an idiot gauge, well, I think its pretty accurate. For years now I have compared the two gauges, they always agree with each other. Before the 203 my stock gauge was always below the N and the after market gauge at 190+. Now with the 203 the stock gauge is at the O and the other gauge is at 200+. I'll continue to watch the two gauges on my 1K trip coming up soon.
I did the 203 a week ago and i deffinatly warms up faster. I can get a little heat with in 2 miles. Used to take 5-7miles. No need to worry about overheating. I was pulling sunday and ran between R and M (runs that w/ or without trailer) and had. I was grossing 21k and had 2/3 of radiator cover with a feed bag
Thanks to my recent "Shroud" mod I finally removed my fan and yesterday during a crisp 70* for the first time ever I was able to run at 200* empty pulling long low grades. I also have the 203* stat.
Yes the gauge is correct as I check w/a lazer thermometer. I just have a cold running truck. I think in it's other life it must have been someone's "First wife"
Unless you original stat was stuck partially open the new stat should not warm the engine faster. If the old stat allowed coolant to flow thru and you install a new stat then yes it will warm up faster.
As for mileage gains they say you should see an improvement. I am not sure because like Farm69 I did other things at the same time.