203 stat
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
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.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 6
From: Medford Oregon
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.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
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.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 1
From: Grass Valley, CA
i have two questions about the 203-
Does the truck warm up faster?
Do you get better fuel mileage?
thanks guys
Dan
Does the truck warm up faster?
Do you get better fuel mileage?
thanks guys
Dan
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
Originally Posted by secondarychaos
i have two questions about the 203-
Does the truck warm up faster?
Do you get better fuel mileage?
thanks guys
Dan
Does the truck warm up faster?
Do you get better fuel mileage?
thanks guys
Dan
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: Kearney, Nebr
I'm not sure it if warms up any faster since I took my fan off the same day I put the 203 in. It does seem like it gets up to operating temp faster.
As for milage it might have improved a little bit, but not much.
As for milage it might have improved a little bit, but not much.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 943
Likes: 0
From: North East, MD
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
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1
From: Rogue River, OR
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"
Rog
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"
Rog
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
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.
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.
